Building Model Cars

Grade Level

3rd Grade

Duration

30 minutes

Unit

Land Transportation Adventures (Lesson 7 of 15)

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Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) – Social Studies and related ELA Connections

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1
  Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. (Supports comprehension of informational content about vehicles and wheels)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1
  Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. (Supports group discussion during activity)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2
  Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. (Supports reflection and explanation about the model cars)

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – Practices (Integrated for cross-curricular STEM connection)
  3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the role of wheels in transportation and why they are important.
2. Construct a simple model car using craft materials and demonstrate how wheels enable movement.
3. Collaborate with peers to problem-solve during the building process.
4. Communicate orally and in writing about the function of wheels and their model car design.

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Materials Needed

• Pre-cut cardboard rectangles (bases for cars)
• Bottle caps or plastic wheels (4 per student)
• Wooden skewers or straws (axles for wheels)
• Glue sticks or tape
• String (optional, to pull the cars)
• Markers and stickers for decoration
• Worksheet: “My Model Car” (includes spaces for drawing and writing about their car)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Detail
0-5 min	Introduction & Engagement	Begin with a quick discussion: “What do wheels do? Why do cars need wheels?” Show images of cars, bikes, and carts, highlighting their wheels. Use questioning to activate prior knowledge, e.g., “What happens if a car doesn’t have wheels?”
5-10 min	Mini-Instruction: Wheel Importance	Explain simply how wheels reduce friction and make it easier for vehicles to move. Use a demonstration – slide a cardboard car without wheels and then with wheels across the table to show difference. Reference the vocabulary: wheels, axles, movement.
10-25 min	Hands-On Activity: Build a Model Car	Each student builds their own car: attach wheels to a cardboard base using skewers or straws as axles. Encourage students to test their cars by rolling them. Teachers circulate and prompt students to observe which wheels roll best, guiding problem-solving (e.g., “Is your car rolling freely? Why or why not?”).
25-28 min	Share & Reflect	Students show their model cars and describe one thing they learned about wheels. Use question prompts: “How did the wheels help your car move? What would you change?”
28-30 min	Wrap-Up with Writing	Students complete the “My Model Car” worksheet by drawing their car and writing 1-2 sentences explaining the role of wheels. This reinforces writing skills and informs assessment.

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Differentiation & Supports

• Provide extra help for students struggling with fine motor skills (pre-assemble some car parts).
• Allow verbal responses for students who need writing accommodations.
• Challenge advanced students to design a car that moves the farthest or fastest, encouraging experimentation.

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Assessment

• Informal observation of student participation and collaboration during the building activity.
• Review of completed “My Model Car” worksheets for understanding of wheels’ function and ability to explain concepts in writing.
• Listening to student explanations during the share phase to assess comprehension and communication skills.

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Teacher Reflection & Extension Ideas

• Reflect on which students grasped the concept of how wheels reduce friction and which may need retargeted instruction.
• Next lesson, consider expanding to exploring different types of land transportation and comparing wheel designs.
• Integrate a simple physics demonstration on friction using different surfaces.

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This lesson plan blends hands-on creating, social interaction, and writing skill development in accordance with Common Core standards, offering a fun and memorable experience highlighting the importance of wheels in transportation.