Design Thinking, Literature & First Grade Part 3

First Grade Fairy Tale Design Thinking Project: Prototype & Share Out

First grade students moved into the final step of this multi-month project with the prototype and share out stage of the design thinking process. During the previous step, Ideate, students worked in their small groups to come up with different solutions for the problem that they had decided to focus on. Students then determined what was the solution that they were going to focus on or combine their different ideas into one idea. Next first graders started building and creating their prototypes. For prototyping students had access to lots of different materials from cardboard and construction paper to pipe cleaners and playdoh. Student worked in their groups using their collaborator quality norms to make sure everyone was working together and had a voice in the prototyping.

As an added element to the prototyping stage the students were able to design and print an element of their prototype with the library’s 3D printers. First graders had been asking to be able to print something with the library’s printers and this was a perfect opportunity for students to learn how to use Tinkercad, a 3D printing software, and make a 3D object that was connected to a project they were working on. Students collaborated with their groups to decide what each of them was going to design and print that would fit into their prototype. First graders were introduced to the Tinkercad program with a short tutorial on how to 3D design using different shapes. Then they dived into the program figuring out how to manipulate the shapes to create the object. First graders did a great job designing, reworking and rethinking their ideas to create an object for their prototype.

The final step in the project was for the whole first grade to come together and share their prototypes. An all grade share out was hosted in the library where students were able to share their prototypes and see the work of their classmates. Students created signs that explained what the problem was they were trying to solve and a brief description of their prototype. Students were excited to not only share their solutions but see the problems that classmates in other classes worked on see the solutions that were developed. A final reflection was held were first graders shared what they noticed about the prototypes and the whole design thinking process they had engaged in.

This project has become one of my favorites. Students become so engaged in this process. They are excited to dive into different versions of stories and are always making observations that are new each year. The connection to literature is something that my classroom teachers really love about this work and notice the benefits that this project has on their reading and writing work in the classroom. First graders are so engaged in the building process, they are self-reliant and collaborative as they turn their ideas into prototypes. Students are so willing to take their ideas and redesign and rework their plans to create a prototype. First graders are so invested in the idea of creating a solution that will help someone else. I am hoping that I can continue to build on this work with these students as they advance through the grades and continue to engage them in fictional and real world issues using the design thinking process.