Introduction
Hello and Welcome 4th grade students!
You will be learning about an important piece of history, the flight of the Wright Brothers. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first machine-powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With Orville aboard, the flight lasted about 12 seconds. The first flight covered 100 feet. The brothers made 3 other flights that day with the final one lasting 59 seconds and covering 852 feet. The machine the Wright brothers used was powered by a 12-horsepower motor and 2 propellers that they designed. Over the next few years, the Wrights built stronger machines that flew farther and were more dependable. You will discover how inventors can work together for their mutual benefit. There will be a critical discussion about the contents of a photograph, how the coverage of notable events has evolved over time and the importance of saving original documents.
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Task
To prepare for this lesson, student will learn about the First Flight of the Wright Brothers. Visit the North Carolina State Archives, educational resources website: http://www.history.ncdcr.gov/SHRAB/ar/exhibits/educationalresources/index.html
Students will study the picture of the Wright Brothers’ flight, then discuss issues they faced. The following questions may stimulate discussion. What dangers did they face? § What things did they have to consider when they built the airplane? Why was the terrain at Kitty Hawk good for their experiment? If an experiment such as that depicted in the photograph were conducted today, how do you think the photograph might differ?
Students will read the copy of the original newspaper article. The following questions should start discussion. For an event that we think of as so important, the newspaper article is not a large one. Why do you think that is? Why do you think the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk as a place to experiment with crewed flight? If such an experiment were to take place today, how do you think it might be treated differently in the newspaper?
Read a that was addressed to Reginald Fessenden from Orville Wright. Reginald Fessenden, another inventor of that time. It is obvious from the letter that both Fessenden and the Wrights were working on similar or complementary projects. In the letter Wright expresses concern about the weight of the motor. Why would weight be a critical issue to him? Do you think inventors frequently write to each other? Why or why not? Why is it important that such a letter be saved and preserved?
Process
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Step 1
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Study materials provided. Be prepared to discuss of the Flight of the Wright Brothers. |
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Step 2
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Design and make a scale model of the Wright brothers’ plane used at Kitty Hawk. |
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Step 3
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Write a logbook of the Kitty Hawk experiments done by the Wrights. |
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Step 4
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Check other newspaper accounts of the flight. Compare their similarities and differences. |
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Step 5
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Take the information for Steps 1 – 4 and create a report that will be used in step 6. |
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Step 6
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Create a video documentary of the first flight. |
Evaluation
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Video- Preproduction: Flight of the Wright Brothers |
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Teacher Name: E Gainey |
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Student Name: ________________________________________ |
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CATEGORY |
3 Target |
2 Acceptable |
1 Not Acceptable |
Score |
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Discussions/Research on topic |
Note cards indicate that the group members developed questions about the assigned topic, consulted at least 3 reference sources, developed a position based on their sources, and correctly cited their sources. |
Note cards indicate that the group members consulted at least 3 reference sources, developed a position based on their sources, and correctly cited their sources. |
Note cards indicate that the group members consulted at least 2 reference sources, developed a position based on their sources, and correctly cited their sources. |
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Design and Creation of Model |
Team has a clear picture of what they are trying to achieve. Each member can describe what they are trying to do and how his/her work will contribute to the final product. |
Team has a clear picture of what they are trying to achieve. Each member can describe what they are trying to do overall but has trouble describing how his/her work will contribute to the final product. |
Team has brainstormed their concept, but no clear focus has emerged for the team. Team members may describe the goals/final product differently. |
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Conclusion
The Wright Brothers had perseverance to bring their invention of the plane world. If they had not persevered to create their plane, which was well known and used, the United States would have been the sole country to distinguish that a individual could use a powered flight to fly.
Credits
Lesson Plan Courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina
1st Flight Pictures - https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/wright-brothers-first-flight-photo-annotated-180949489/
Standards: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/media/7190/open
Teacher Page
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NC Essential/Core Standards
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4.G.1.4 Explain the impact of technology (communication, transportation, inventions, etc.) on North Carolina’s citizens, past and present. 4.E.1.3 Analyze the historical and contemporary role that major North Carolina industries have played in the state, nation, and world. 4.H.2.1 Explain why important buildings, statues, monuments, and place names are associated with the state's history. |
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Grade Level
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4th |
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NETS-S Standards
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Credits
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4 weeks
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Handouts
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https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-airplane-flies https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/wright-brothers http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/wright.htm https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/wright-brothers
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Anything else a teachers would need to know to complete your webquest
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Groups of 4-5 are recommended. |
About Author
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Name: Erin Gainey
Email Address: ekgainey260@students.ecsu.edu
City: Elizabeth City
State: NC
Country: US
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1979
I Am a: Special Education undergraduate
School/Institution/Company: Elizabeth City State University
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