Objective: Students will learn how to manipulate a piece of paper to hold weight
between a span.
Materials Needed: Two pieces of 8 ½ by 11-inch paper, weights and two books
approximately 1in. thick.
Procedure: Have students work in pairs, make them record what they have tried and
what has happened. They will also have to draw what they are doing so they will get use to drawing as well as writing. As they try each experiment their success or failure will help them think differently. The reason for this lesson is to show the student that by changing the materials into a different form it will hold up weight.
Check for understanding: Have each group report on what they have tried. They will need to tell why something has worked or not. The students will see that in some cases they have tried the same procedures, and in other cases the students will be the only ones that have tried it. There should be some discussion on each of the student's reports. This will help the students try to understand why each of the experiments works.