Here are a few challenges and investigations that evoke wonder and fascination if students can get past the blunders and frustration! I call these “First-Day Challenges” because I used them to spark conversations that set the tone from the first day of school. Students learn that the seemingly impossible or unbelievable might actually be possible with a little effort, a willingness to try different strategies, and a “can-do” spirit! A “growth mindset” is reinforced as students experience the struggle necessary to reach success.
Most of these can be used at any grade level and tied to topics of study as well (e.g. structures, forces, design, invention). They can also be incorporated into studies of gifted men and women who have accomplished great things by choosing to perceive “failure” as “a step in the learning process.”
WALK THROUGH A POSTCARD
This is a great First-Day Challenge for 3rd graders. Between this activity and Mathemagic, my 3rd-grade students couldn’t wait to go home and demonstrate to their parents what they’d learned on their first day of G/T!
The challenge is to cut “a hole” in an index card that allows you to completely “walk through” it! The video below shows how to accomplish this feat, and here is a page that shows the cuts in more detail. You can use cards or papers of any size. I usually demonstrated the cuts one step at a time to my students, assisting them as needed.
INSERT A STRAW THROUGH A RAW POTATO
My introduction to this challenge was about thirty years ago at a district professional development event, so It’s been around for a while. Sometimes what we think is “old hat,” though, is brand new to our students! The instructions were: insert a straw through a raw potato! Most were frustrated by the task, but the minute one person was successful, everyone was inspired to keep trying.
It was the same each year when I presented it to my 4th graders on the first day of their G/T class. The usual result was that most students became frustrated and went through many straws, some giving up and saying it couldn’t be done. However, as soon as ONE student was successful, the others were encouraged to persevere and they even helped one another until all had accomplished the feat! Again, students learned to redefine “failure” as “a step toward success!” My hope was that when students left at the end of the first day, they understood they’d be presented with some challenges throughout the year that would involve some struggle, but that our classroom would always be a safe place to try and I would also encourage and assist as needed! (This is a good place to insert discussions about record-breaking feats, such as running a mile in under four minutes, considered impossible for years until one runner did it!)
The video below reveals the secret technique for success, and reason it works is here.
CREATE A RAW EGG SUPPORT THAT WILL HOLD BOOKS
This can be adapted for any age (K and up). I would demonstrate this one with younger students (K-2). Ask students if they’ve ever cracked an egg. Is it easy or hard? Show students the materials (3 eggs and 6 bottlecaps) and ask if they believe they can be used to create a support that will hold a stack of books.
Set up the “tripod” using eggs and bottlecaps as shown in the video below and have students guess how many books (whiteboards, notebooks, or whatever) the egg tripod will hold. This could be done in a clear container or outside on a table to make clean-up easier.
You can find information about compression forces and the egg design that will help you explain the amazing strength of the eggs HERE and HERE.
CONSTRUCT A PAPER BRIDGE THAT WILL HOLD 100 PENNIES
If your studies include architectural design or bridge-building, this is a great introductory activity. Students are challenged to design a paper bridge that will support the weight of 100 pennies using only paper and paper clips.
My second- and third-graders came up with some creative designs, and it was fun testing the various bridges. Unless they’ve seen the solution, students usually don’t come up with the accordion design that increases the load-bearing strength.
Here is an explanation of the activity and here is a video.
What “impossible challenges” have you tried with your students? Would you share them with us by leaving a comment below? There is one more challenge in this article, along with additional information about why this type of activity is good for kids, especially those who are not accustomed to struggling.
Have you seen the video tour of this site yet? We’d love for you to be part of the BIG IDEAS community!