You are welcome to switch any of these assignments
for a regular homework assignment.
Have fun!
In order to receive credit, you must:
You are only allowed to substitute one assignment per week with one of the challenges below.
- Label your paper with your name and the Alternative Homework Assignment task you are completing (the number and title from below).
- Produce quality work you are proud of. Written work should be thorough and proofread!
- Complete ALL parts of the chosen task.
- Math challenges: Show and label all of your work.
You are only allowed to substitute one assignment per week with one of the challenges below.
1. Engineering Challenge - Tall Free-Standing Tower
**To receive credit, you must complete parts A and B. **
A. You have 5 minutes to create the tallest free-standing tower that you can.
Use the following materials ONLY:
When time is up, measure your tower and snap a picture of it. Email the picture to me (mrspolay@gmail.com) or bring in the tower.
B. Research skyscrapers by visiting PBS's Building Big: All About Skyscrapers. Find at least two interesting facts and write a paragraph about skyscrapers.
A. You have 5 minutes to create the tallest free-standing tower that you can.
Use the following materials ONLY:
- 5 pennies
- 2 rulers
- 3 sheets of printer paper (8.5 x 11 inches each)
- 2 pieces of masking tape — each 3 inches long
When time is up, measure your tower and snap a picture of it. Email the picture to me (mrspolay@gmail.com) or bring in the tower.
B. Research skyscrapers by visiting PBS's Building Big: All About Skyscrapers. Find at least two interesting facts and write a paragraph about skyscrapers.
2. Engineering Challenge - Make Something with Paperclips
**To receive credit, you must complete parts A and B. **
A. Make something with paperclips! Visit this page for inspiration. Try making a sculpture or something else. You can bend or twist them if you choose.
Take a picture of your creation and email the picture to me (mrspolay@gmail.com), or bring it in to class.
B. View some of Italian artist Pietro D'Angelo's paperclip art by clicking here. Write a paragraph about your favorite sculpture by D'Angleo. What do you like about it? Why is it more interesting than the others?
A. Make something with paperclips! Visit this page for inspiration. Try making a sculpture or something else. You can bend or twist them if you choose.
Take a picture of your creation and email the picture to me (mrspolay@gmail.com), or bring it in to class.
B. View some of Italian artist Pietro D'Angelo's paperclip art by clicking here. Write a paragraph about your favorite sculpture by D'Angleo. What do you like about it? Why is it more interesting than the others?
3. Math Challenge - Candy Machine and Days in a Month
**To receive credit, you must complete parts A and B. **
a. The candy machine takes only dimes and quarters. A candy bar costs 45¢. Exact change is necessary. I have 11 coins for a total of 84¢. Can I buy a candy bar from the machine? Explain.
b. What is the maximum number of days in any 6 month period?
a. The candy machine takes only dimes and quarters. A candy bar costs 45¢. Exact change is necessary. I have 11 coins for a total of 84¢. Can I buy a candy bar from the machine? Explain.
b. What is the maximum number of days in any 6 month period?
4. Math Challenge - Saliva
**To receive credit, you must complete parts A and B. **
Your body releases about 1 liter of saliva every day. 1 liter is just a swallow more than a quart.
a. About how many gallons of saliva does your body release in a year?
b. About how many years would it take for your body to release a kiloliter of saliva?
Your body releases about 1 liter of saliva every day. 1 liter is just a swallow more than a quart.
a. About how many gallons of saliva does your body release in a year?
b. About how many years would it take for your body to release a kiloliter of saliva?
5. Math Challenge - Family Reunion
I went shopping to buy groceries for a family reunion. I spent half of my money on hamburgers and hot dogs. Then, I spent half of what was left on side items like potato salad, chips, beans, and desserts. Then, I spent one-third of what was left on paper goods like plates, cups, and napkins. I had $15.00 left over. How much did I spend on the reunion?
6. My Own Idea for an Alternative Assignment
If you have an idea for an alternate homework assignment, please tell me about it! Your explanation of your idea can count as an alternate homework assignment as long as you write the following:
a. Name of Challenge (It is a title, so how should it be capitalized?).
b. Materials (if any) needed.
c. Clear instructions for what they have to do (If it is something they have to build, how should they build it? Is their a time limit to building it? If it is a math challenge, how many questions do they have to answer to get credit? Do they have to show their work? and so on...).
d. An answer key (if it is a question) or a website link (if it is a challenge where they have to build or make something).
e. Your name.
a. Name of Challenge (It is a title, so how should it be capitalized?).
b. Materials (if any) needed.
c. Clear instructions for what they have to do (If it is something they have to build, how should they build it? Is their a time limit to building it? If it is a math challenge, how many questions do they have to answer to get credit? Do they have to show their work? and so on...).
d. An answer key (if it is a question) or a website link (if it is a challenge where they have to build or make something).
e. Your name.
7. Knot Tying Challenge
**To receive credit, you must complete parts A and B. **
A. Learn to tie knots by visiting Boys' Life Magazine or Scouting Knots. Choose two knots and write about how the knots are useful and why someone would choose to use those knots over other knots -- be specific.
B. Tie the two knots and either bring them into class, or email me pictures of your knots at mrspolay@gmail.com.
A. Learn to tie knots by visiting Boys' Life Magazine or Scouting Knots. Choose two knots and write about how the knots are useful and why someone would choose to use those knots over other knots -- be specific.
B. Tie the two knots and either bring them into class, or email me pictures of your knots at mrspolay@gmail.com.
