Lesson Title: Stained Glass Symmetry

Grade Level: 4th Quarter: 2nd

Standards:
Science
S4P1. Students will investigate the nature of light using tools such as mirrors, lenses, and prisms.
a. Identify materials that are transparent, opaque, and translucent.

Math
MGSE4.G.1 Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify
these in two-dimensional figures.
MGSE4.G.3 Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be
folded along the line into matching parts. Identify line-symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.

Lesson Essential Question: Vocabulary:

How can I identify materials that are Transparent

transparent, opaque and translucent? Opaque
How can I draw lines of symmetry? Translucent
Angles: right, acute, obtuse
Lines: perpendicular, parallel
Symmetry

Lesson Materials: Lesson Assessment:

tissue paper
aluminum foil Student Journal
cereal boxes Teacher Observations
cardstock
wax paper
plastic wrap
parchment paper
glue
popsicle sticks
skewers, dowels
chenille sticks
construction paper
file folders
scissors
tape

STEM Challenge Overview:

Students will design and create a symmetrical stained glass window that represents your school.

Teacher Background:
Prep: 1. Make three window cards out of index cards. Cover one window with alum. foil, one with wax paper and one
with plastic wrap. 2. Get a variety of materials for students to test and determine if they are translucent, opaque or
transparent.
In math students should be familiar with lines and angles. May need to do a mini lesson on symmetry.

INSTRUCTION
1. Ask/Engage (day 1)

Introduce the challenge to the class and have students complete the ask/engage part of their student journal.

Challenge:
Cobb County School District has just hired your artistic talents. You have been contracted to create a new stained glass window for
your school. You will need to create a symmetrical model of the window that contains an assortment of geometric lines and shapes.
The design needs to represent your school, so be creative and have fun!

2. Imagine/Brainstorm (day2)
Use the window cards to introduce the words: transparent, opaque and translucent. Have students use a variety of materials to test
and determine if the materials allow light to pass through them or not. If students have not yet learned about symmetry draw a few
examples on the board and ask were they might see lines of symmetry in the real world: butterflies, people, tables..
Show the website and discuss the variety of stained glass windows: Do you see any lines of symmetry? Is the glass transparent,
opaque or translucent? How do you know? https://www.google.com/search?
q=pictures+of+stained+glass+windows&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CB4QsARqFQoTCNy3zOCi-
sYCFQEVPgodvacHaw&biw=1600&bih=799

Criteria:
Your stained glass window must:
Use transparent, opaque, and translucent materials
Contain a variety of geometric lines and 2-D shapes
Be symmetrical
Be framed
Stand freely
Represent your school
Be accompanied with a display card explaining the design
Constraints:
Must complete the challenge in the time allotted
Must use the materials provided

Have students individually think of a solution to the problem and draw and label their design.

3. Plan/Design (day 3)
Each student will present their ideas to their team.
Teams will collaborate and decide on a final design plan.
Students draw and label their final design plan and make a list of needed supplies.
Build their design according to their plan.

4. Create / Test (day 3 continued- day 4)

Student teams build their design according to their design plan.
 5. Evaluate/Improve and repeat Steps 1-5 (day 5)
Students evaluate their design for success.
Did it meet the established criteria?
Did their final design match their planned design?
How would students improve their design?
 Name__________________

Stained Glass Symmetry

STEM Challenge
4th Grade
Challenge:
Cobb County School District has just hired your artistic talents. You have been contracted
to create a new stained glass window for your school. You will need to create a symmetrical
model of the window that contains an assortment of geometric lines and shapes. The
design needs to represent your school, so be creative and have fun!

Criteria:

Your stained glass window must:

Use transparent, opaque, and translucent materials
Contain a variety of geometric lines and 2-D shapes
Be symmetrical
Be framed
Stand freely
Represent your school
Be accompanied with a display card explaining the design

Constraints:

Use the materials provided

Complete the challenge in the allotted time

Materials: Various materials will be provided by your teacher.

1. ASK / ENGAGE: What is the problem you are being asked to solve?

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2. IMAGINE/BRAINSTORM: What are some possible solutions to the problem that you are trying to solve? After you brainstorm,
draw and label your ideas below.
Idea #1 Idea #2

3. PLAN/DESIGN: Share your ideas with your group and collaborate to decide on a final design plan. Draw your teams design
below and make a list of the materials that you will need to complete your design.
 Team Design Plan Materials List

4. CREATE/TEST: Use your Final Design Plan to create and build your solution. Test your design. Did it work? Why or Why not?
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5. EVAULATE/IMPROVE: How well did your design work? Did your solution solve the problem within the given constraints?
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How can you improve your design? How can you make it better? Draw and label your improved design below.
Improved Design Plan