Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.MD.A.1 -Measurement and Data
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.1 - Measurement and Data
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1 - Measurement and Data
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.D.8 -Measurement and Data
Required Project Materials
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
- "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" 1966 movie
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas book
Before the Lesson/Background Information
- Assemble the dollhouses and miniature trees if needed.
- Read or watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to the class.
- Introduce rulers and what they are used for.
The Lesson
Part 1: Introduction (5 to 10 minutes)
- Play the Youtube clip of when the Grinch steals the Christmas toys and decorations from Whoville.
- Tell students that today they are going to create ways to protect their house from the Grinch! They can either design a trap to catch the Grinch or a machine to protect the Christmas tree.
- Inform students that they need the traps or machines to be the right size because the Grinch is very sneaky! Students need to measure what they're making as they build.
Part 2: Build to Save Christmas (40 to 60 minutes)
- Assign students to groups of 2 or 3 and give them a dollhouse and miniature Christmas tree. Supplies for the build can be either passed out to the groups or put on a supply table for students to gather as needed.
- Students will work together to plan, design, construct, measure and test their traps or machines with the various materials.
Part 3: Testing the "Grinch Proof" House (15 to 20 minutes)
- Have each group demonstrate how their traps or machines work to the whole class.
- Discuss with students how they would improve their traps.
- Have class vote on who built the best trap and who built the best machine. Award candy canes to the winners!