The third and final part of the unit will be an assigned performance task in which students will work in pairs in order to redesign a popular toy or game from the past that would appeal to a child today. Based on students’ prior learning experiences in the first two sections and research about the 1930’s they will apply critical thinking skills in order to take an old toy/game and make it relevant and appealing to a child today. Students will then create and act out a commercial or create a poster in order to promote their redesigned product. Students will write about their modifications and explain why the modifications they made were chosen and how they would appeal to today’s child.
Sample Lesson/Activity
Objectives:
Students will research a popular toy or game and modify it in order to appeal to children of today.
Students will create a poster or act out a commercial in order to promote their redesigned product.
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Show examples of toys that have been commercially modified. For example, Bratz Dolls are a spinoff of Barbie Dolls or Big Bang Theory Clue is a spinoff of the Classic Clue Board Game. Engage students in a discussion of how and why the modern version is more relevant to children today.
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Brainstorm a list of toys or games we have already learned about from the 1930’s. List the toys or games on chart paper.
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As a group, choose one product to modify. Guide the students through the process with their group suggestions and consensus. Post the written response to the assignment and a poster of the product as an anchor chart for students to use as an example.
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Explain to students that they will work in pairs in order to choose a popular toy or game from the class list or a researched toy or game not listed and change it to interest today’s child.
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Write sentence starters for students to support their writing and help them maintain focus.
We chose this toy/game because….
The changes we made were……
We made these changes because…..
This toy will appeal to children now because…..
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Provide students with materials needed such as markers, poster board, etc to complete their project.
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To culminate the projects invite family to come and view the posters and commercials.
Extensions:
Video tape each pair of students discussing their projects.
Have a thirties game day and toy party in which students invite a younger class to learn the games and play with toys form the era.
