What is the Biplane's place in aviation History? How did the Technology of the Biplane respond to Social, Political, and Economical Needs?

Length: 1 class period; 50 mminutes

In the spring of 2012, the Aileron sculpture was installed in McCabe Park. This is the former location of the McConnell airfield. The sculpture represents the biplane of the early 20th century. It was fabricated by artist Michael Dillon using traditional blacksmithing techniques and tools that were used in the manufacturing of railroad equipment—another historic reference to Sylvan Park.

In thi Science Lesson, students will:

  • Students will be formatively assessed through discussion in whole group and small group. 
  • Students will be formatively assessed through discussion in whole group and small group. 
  • Students will mark the texts for evidence of their claims and assertions. 
  • Students will be formatively assessed through discussion in whole group and small group. 
  • Students will provide evidence of thorough and thoughtful analysis through the use of a text evidence graphic organizer (Text Evidence Chart). 
  • Students will construct a holistic picture of the history of the biplane by comparing and contrasting the information gained from the resources and multimedia sources (Text Evidence Chart and Timeline).
  • Students will create a timeline of the history of biplanes (Timeline) using the Text Evidence Chart.
  • Students will provide evidence of how the technology of the biplane  responded to social, political, and economic needs through the use of the Text Evidence Chart.
  • For the extension of learning, students will write a two page report that defines a specific change in the use, engineering, or development of the biplane that responded to social, political or economic situations. 
     
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Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Clear Learning Targets:
“I can” statements:

  • I can describe the artist’s inspiration for Aileron as a monument for the history of McCabe Park.
  • I can find evidence of the history of the biplane, using a variety of sources including multimedia.
  • I can give examples of how the technology of the biplane responded to social, political, and economic needs. 
Essential and guiding questions: 

Assessing Questions:

  • Base closely on the work student has produced;
  • Clarify what the student has done and  that the student understands about what s/he has done;
  • Provide information to the teacher about what the student understands.

Advancing Questions:

  • Use what students have produced as a basis for making progress toward target goal;
  • Move students beyond their current thinking by pressing students to extend what they know to a new situation;
  • Press students to think about something they are not currently thinking about.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Analyzing
Differentiation suggestions: 

Differentiated Instruction:

  • ELL Modifications: How will I provide access to the academic content and/or make modifications for the student whose primary language is one other than English? 
  • SPED Modifications How will I provide access to the academic content and/or make modifications for the student who has an IEP? 
Interdisciplinary opportunities: 

Cross-curricular Connections:
There is a strong connection between this science lesson and the following 7th grade Visual Arts Standards:

  • 3.2 Demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meanings in artworks.
  • 3.3 Reflect on the effective use of subject matter, symbols, and ideas.

Helpful Hints

Materials and Resources:

Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation