End of Testing Idea - Build a Skateboard with Elos!

 

The last couple months of school in the upper grades, typically means state testing. For those of us who have been there, you know the struggle all too well. It is a lot of stress not only on the teachers but for the students themselves. It is hours of walking aimlessly around your classroom watching some students just click through the test questions or struggle answering them. Which is why I try to plan some fun activities for students to do after testing. Something that gives their minds a break but also allows them to still be actively learning (without thinking that they are actually learning though!)

The first activity that we did was after our Science State Test. I wanted it to be aligned with at least one of our standards, so I aligned it with "Develop and Use Models" where students needed to use a model to understand and build concepts. Additionally within this concept they should be able to change their models based off a design. 

For this first lesson, we used engineering skills and build an Elos Skateboard together. Elos is a company that after purchasing, sends you all of the things you need in order to build a skateboard. The directions are super clear and easy to follow. Easy enough, that I was able to direct my students in what pieces to use, what to do and they were able to do most of the work in building the skateboard themselves. There were some parts where they had to push hard to get a piece in place or they needed help with the screwing but for the most part, students completed the building of the skateboard on their own. I loved that the wprl space was color coded to the direction booklet, so for my English Language Learners I was able to reference the color too. 

Below you can see the work space. It had pictures for each piece which made setting it up super simple. All I had to do was remove the pieces from the box and match it to the picture. 

I had students sit in a circle around the workspace and as I read the instructions, I told them which section we were working in and they took turns putting different pieces of the skateboard together. 

The wheels were one of the more difficult parts for students. It required a little bit more muscle strength that they had, so I stepped in and helped them push the pieces in that they needed to complete for this part. 

We continued building and eventually got to the part where students again needed some additional muscle strength, which I didn't mind helping them. It was truly fun getting to see their excitement as the skateboard came together. 

Finally, the board was finished! I gave students a sharpie and allowed them to sign the bottom of the skateboard. I know have a great memory of my time with these students and building this super cool skateboard with them. Toothless, our class pet, even enjoyed time riding around the classroom on the board.

Overall, Elos has made it very simple to collaborate with students and build a skateboard together. From their simplistic directions that were color coded to the direction booklet to the explanations on what would happen if something wasn't put together correctly, made it very easy for me to give instructions and tie in problem and solution. The tools were easy to use and were simple enough that students could essentially put everything together on their own, which we all loves. Putting together a skateboard was something I had never done before but this experience made it so simple that I would definitely do it again! Thank you to Elos for providing such an engaging experience for my students that allowed them to take their brains off of the stresses of standardized testing! 

If you are interested in checking out Elos, head to their website: https://www.elosskateboards.com/ or check them out on Amazon! 

I will be back soon for more end of testing ideas!