A Thanksgiving PBL: Design a Turkey
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as a team of 3rd grade designers, use math, persuasive writing, and historical understanding to create the ultimate turkey design that reflects the spirit of community and gratitude for Thanksgiving?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we use math to plan a Thanksgiving feast that fits our budget?
- What are the origins and traditions of Thanksgiving, and how have they changed over time?
- How can we write persuasive arguments to convince others that our turkey design is the best?
- How can we collaborate effectively as a team to design and build our ultimate turkey?
- In what ways does Thanksgiving reflect community and gratitude?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Apply mathematical skills to budget and plan a Thanksgiving feast.
- Understand the origins and traditions of Thanksgiving and their evolution.
- Develop persuasive writing skills to advocate for a turkey design.
- Collaborate effectively in a team to design and build a turkey.
- Reflect on the themes of community and gratitude in Thanksgiving.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Great Turkey Escape Room
A mischievous turkey has hidden all the Thanksgiving dinner ingredients! Students must solve a series of puzzles and challenges related to math, English, and social studies to find the missing ingredients before Thanksgiving dinner is ruined. This escape room experience will require teamwork, problem-solving, and application of learned concepts in a fun and engaging way.Thanksgiving Day Parade Float Design Challenge
Students design a Thanksgiving Day parade float that represents a specific aspect of Thanksgiving history or culture. This involves researching historical events or cultural traditions (social studies), creating scale models and calculating material costs (math), and writing a persuasive proposal to convince the parade committee to choose their float (English). The challenge culminates in a presentation of their float design and rationale.Thanksgiving Community Cookbook Project
Students will create a Thanksgiving community cookbook featuring recipes and stories from diverse backgrounds. This involves interviewing family members or community members for recipes and stories (social studies), adapting recipes using fractions and measurement conversions (math), and writing engaging introductions and descriptions for each recipe (English). The cookbook will be shared with the community, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation.Thanksgiving Restaurant Redesign Challenge
A local restaurant needs help revamping their Thanksgiving menu and decor to attract more customers. Students will analyze customer data, design a new menu with cost analysis (math), write persuasive advertisements (English), and research Thanksgiving traditions from different cultures (social studies) to create an inclusive and appealing dining experience.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Persuasive Turkey Proposal
Students write a persuasive proposal to convince a panel of judges (teachers, parents, or community members) that their turkey design is the best. This activity develops their persuasive writing skills and ability to advocate for their design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-written persuasive proposal advocating for their turkey design, including compelling arguments and supporting evidence.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Develop persuasive writing skills to advocate for a turkey design.Thanksgiving Tradition Timeline
Students research the origins and evolution of Thanksgiving traditions, creating a timeline that highlights key events and cultural influences. This activity enhances their understanding of the historical context of Thanksgiving.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline illustrating the origins and evolution of Thanksgiving traditions, accompanied by a reflective summary.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand the origins and traditions of Thanksgiving and their evolution.Turkey Design Blueprint
Students create a detailed blueprint for their ultimate turkey design, incorporating mathematical calculations for size, materials, and cost. This activity focuses on planning and budgeting for the design project.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive blueprint of the turkey design with labeled dimensions, a materials list, and a detailed cost estimate.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Apply mathematical skills to budget and plan a Thanksgiving feast.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioThanksgiving PBL Portfolio Rubric: 3rd Grade
Persuasive Writing (Turkey Proposal)
This category assesses the clarity, structure, and persuasiveness of the turkey design proposal. It emphasizes the strength of arguments, the use of evidence, and the overall effectiveness of the written communication.Argumentation and Evidence
Effectiveness of arguments presented to support the turkey design, and the quality of supporting evidence used.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents exceptionally compelling arguments with strong, relevant evidence that clearly supports the turkey design's appeal, thematic relevance, and community impact. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of persuasive techniques.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents clear and logical arguments with relevant evidence that supports the turkey design's appeal, thematic relevance, and community impact. Demonstrates a good understanding of persuasive techniques.
Developing
2 PointsPresents some arguments with limited evidence that partially supports the turkey design's appeal, thematic relevance, or community impact. Demonstrates a basic understanding of persuasive techniques.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents weak or unclear arguments with little to no evidence to support the turkey design. Demonstrates a minimal understanding of persuasive techniques.
Structure and Clarity
Organization and clarity of the proposal, including introduction, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe proposal is exceptionally well-organized with a clear introduction, logically structured supporting paragraphs, and a strong conclusion that reinforces the main arguments. Writing is clear, concise, and engaging.
Proficient
3 PointsThe proposal is well-organized with a clear introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Writing is clear and easy to understand.
Developing
2 PointsThe proposal is somewhat organized, but may lack a clear introduction, supporting paragraphs, or conclusion. Writing may be unclear or contain grammatical errors.
Beginning
1 PointsThe proposal is poorly organized and lacks a clear structure. Writing is unclear and difficult to understand.
Historical Understanding (Tradition Timeline)
This category assesses the student's understanding of the origins and evolution of Thanksgiving traditions, as demonstrated in their timeline and reflective summary.Accuracy and Detail
Accuracy and level of detail in the timeline's representation of Thanksgiving history and cultural influences.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe timeline is exceptionally accurate and includes a comprehensive range of key events and cultural influences in the evolution of Thanksgiving traditions. Demonstrates in-depth research and understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsThe timeline is accurate and includes several key events and cultural influences in the evolution of Thanksgiving traditions. Demonstrates thorough research and understanding.
Developing
2 PointsThe timeline includes some accurate information but may be missing key events or cultural influences. Demonstrates basic research and understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsThe timeline contains inaccuracies or lacks significant details about the history of Thanksgiving traditions. Demonstrates minimal research and understanding.
Reflection and Insight
Depth of reflection on how Thanksgiving traditions reflect community and gratitude.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe reflection demonstrates exceptional insight and a deep understanding of how Thanksgiving traditions reflect the values of community and gratitude. Provides thoughtful and well-supported interpretations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe reflection demonstrates a clear understanding of how Thanksgiving traditions reflect the values of community and gratitude. Provides thoughtful interpretations.
Developing
2 PointsThe reflection touches upon the connection between Thanksgiving traditions and the values of community and gratitude, but may lack depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsThe reflection demonstrates a limited understanding of how Thanksgiving traditions relate to the values of community and gratitude.
Mathematical Application (Design Blueprint)
This category assesses the student's ability to apply mathematical skills to plan and budget for their turkey design, as evidenced in the design blueprint.Accuracy of Calculations
Accuracy of mathematical calculations for dimensions, materials, and cost estimates.
Exemplary
4 PointsAll calculations are exceptionally accurate and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts related to dimensions, materials, and cost estimation. Shows attention to detail and precision.
Proficient
3 PointsCalculations are accurate and demonstrate a good understanding of mathematical concepts related to dimensions, materials, and cost estimation.
Developing
2 PointsCalculations contain some errors but demonstrate a basic understanding of mathematical concepts related to dimensions, materials, and cost estimation.
Beginning
1 PointsCalculations contain significant errors and demonstrate a limited understanding of mathematical concepts related to dimensions, materials, and cost estimation.
Completeness and Detail
Completeness and level of detail in the blueprint, including dimensions, materials list, and cost estimates.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe blueprint is exceptionally complete and detailed, including precise dimensions, a comprehensive materials list with quantities, and accurate cost estimates for each item. Demonstrates thorough planning and attention to detail.
Proficient
3 PointsThe blueprint is complete and detailed, including dimensions, a materials list with quantities, and cost estimates for each item. Demonstrates thorough planning.
Developing
2 PointsThe blueprint includes some dimensions, a materials list, and cost estimates, but may be missing key details or quantities.
Beginning
1 PointsThe blueprint is incomplete and lacks essential details such as dimensions, a materials list, or cost estimates.