Up for a Challenge: Bridge Building

Michelle  at Delightful Learning blog has put together an Instant Challenge Meme. Each week will bring a new timed problem for children  to work on stretching their imaginations and reasoning skills.

For more info about the meme read Michelle’s Instant Challenge post.

We missed the first week challenge but it looked like fun.  In the middle of school work I told the boys about this  challenge.

Do not do what I did: I did not want to run to the computer so I gave my boys the challenge  assignment from memory (mom needs to learn to follow directions).

My boys assignment (not the original directions)  was to each make a bridge with ends 8 inches apart.  Once the bridge was standing they were to try to add weight (pennies). Our goal was ten pennies.

Both boys made a bridge. One held 5 pennies before collapsing. The other held all ten. It was a lot of fun!

When we were done I looked up the directions. Duh. It should have been a team work, timed project.  I missed the opportunity to get the boys to work together.

I will read follwow directions next time.

Click here for this week’s Boat Race  Challenge