Playground Architect Project Based Learning – 5th Grade
Design a Playground Project Based Learning PBL STEAM Unit is a fun and interactive way for 5th grade students to learn about math while developing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Your school is getting a new playground, and the principal has announced an exciting contest for the students. Each student in fourth grade will submit their idea for the new playground. The winner of the contest will have their proposed playground built.
With this resource, students will brainstorm their playground ideas, design the important playground elements, build models of their playground, and determine the cost of their playground proposal. These activities will help students apply their math and STEAM skills in a practical and meaningful way.
Through the Design a Playground Project Based Learning Resource, students will apply these skills:
- Addition and subtraction: Students will calculate the cost of playground equipment, such as swings, slides, and climbing structures.
- Multiplication and division: Determine how much fencing is needed around the playground and determine the total cost. Determine how many flowers to plant and how much mulch you will need.
- Geometry: Students will design and measure the dimensions of their playground elements, such as the size of the swing set or the length of the slide.
- Area and Perimeter: Students will create a scaled model of their playground on paper, then build their model using toothpicks, marshmallows, or clay.
- Engineering: Test the stability of the model structure, then determine the appropriate materials to build a real playground.
The resource includes lesson plans, worksheets, and assessment tools to guide students through the project. The worksheets provide opportunities for students to practice their math and STEAM skills in a fun and imaginative way through PBL.
By the end of the project, students will have developed a range of skills, including math, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. And who knows, the next great playground idea may come from your very own classroom!
✏️ Printable & Digital Format – Printable PDF & Google Slides formats make this resource perfect for classroom instruction, distance learning, and everywhere in between. Digital and printable versions are consistent, so they can be used for combination classroom and virtual instruction situations.
✏️ Educational & Engaging – This resource will capture the imagination of your students while they practice key math skills.
✏️ Differentiation – Challenge activities mean that you can challenge your high-performing students while making the resource accessible to your on-level and below-level students.
- Teacher Directions & Standards Addressed
- Student Directions
- Modeling Supplies
- Model Making (Measurement, Area & Perimeter)
- Let’s Get Building (Area & Perimeter, Multiplication & Division)
- Playground Features (Area & Perimeter, Converting Measurements)
- Jungle Gym (Model Building)
- Finishing Touches (Word Problems)
- Challenge #1: Mural (Geometry, Measurement)
- Challenge #2: More Models (Building Models)
- Self-Reflection & Evaluation
- Answer Key
- 5.NBT.B.5 Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
- 5.NBT.B.6 Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors.
- 5.NF.B.4 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction or whole number by a fraction.
- 5.MD.A.1 Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm to 0.05 m), and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real-world problems.
- 5.MD.C.3 Recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and understand concepts of volume measurement.
- 5.MD.C.5 Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume.
Take a closer look at what this resource looks like in this video preview.