GUEST BLOGGER ERIN DEALEY
If your students live near a harbor that doesn’t freeze in the winter, chances are they’ve watched a holiday lighted boat parade float by. If not—no worries! My newest picture book, Christmas Ahoy! (illustrated by Kayla Stark; Sleeping Bear Press), was inspired by one such special holiday event that kicks off the season for many of our family members.
After reading CHRISTMAS AHOY!, why not have students create their own boats that really float? And while we’re at it, encourage them to try and use only recycled materials. How?
Drum roll, please!
Design challenge: Build a holiday themed boat that floats –from recycled materials
Students may work in pairs or small groups, or individually.
- Brainstorm: Have students discuss what kind of boat or floating device they will make. Sailboat? Houseboat? Pontoon boat? *See the back matter in Christmas Ahoy! for more ideas and the origins of the different kinds of boats in the story. Be sure boats are small enough to float in a baby pool, tub, or clear aquarium.
- Have students gather their recycled materials. This might also help them decide on the type of boat.
The possibilities are endless
- Cardboard, empty egg carton, or box
- plastic water bottles, cup, or straw
- plastic bag *I ended up wrapping the base of mine with a recycled holiday cookie bag, to make it more waterproof.
- cork
- Styrofoam
- foil
- Popsicle sticks / tongue depressors
Possible adhesives or fastening materials
- Duct tape, masking tape, or plumbers tape
- Glue gun or standard classroom glue
- String, yarn, ribbon
- Rubber band
Ways to add holiday decor
- Markers
- recycled gift wrap or holiday cards
- yarn, ribbon
- stickers (The snowman stickers I used were so old I had to glue them on!)
- foil
- ornaments, glitter, etc. *The “lights” on mine are actually an old necklace.
- Sketch: Have students sketch their boat design and brainstorm some ways that they might make it strong enough to support the extra weight of the decorations. *I used two empty water bottles for “pontoons.”
- Build: Have students build their boats in class. Yes, it gets messy but at least you know they built it all themselves…
- Float test: (Materials needed: baby pool, tub, or clear aquarium. Towel.) Have students test it to see if their boat will float! Sidecoach: What modifications might you make so it’s level?
- Oral Presentation: Ask eachstudent group to share their boat-making process with the class. Allow classmates to ask questions about the steps taken.
Extensions
- Celebrate with a classroom Holiday Boat Parade. Students can parade around the room with their boat. *Please take pictures and if possible, share them with me.
- Have students find the nautical terms used in Christmas Ahoy! and learn what they mean. Ask students to demonstrate using their own boats.
More resources
Use this fun “Will It Sink or Float?” LitLinks experiment from Michelle Cusolito to learn more about flotation
Boat construction tutorials
Four ways to make boats that move on their own
Water bottle boats
Recycled Egg Carton Boat tutorial
Erin Dealey is a blogger, screenwriter, and author of 16 children’s books (so far). Dealey’s original career goal was Olympic Gold Medal tetherball player. When that didn’t pan out, she became a teacher, theater director, actor, mom, and author.She lives in northern California with her husband and welcomes any opportunity to visit schools around the world. You can find her online at erindealey.com and on Twitter @ErinDealey & Instagram @ErinDealey.
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