Introduction

    The Maryland Kite Festival will be held April 20, 2001.  For the past two years, Stephen Decatur Middle School Pink Panther students have participated in workshops and a kite competition at the Festival.  This year, you will self-select and build a kite of your choice to enter the competition.  Once you have evaluated a number of kite plans and directions, you will construct the kite using plans that you choose.  Let's begin a QUEST for the perfect plan!
 
 
 

Task Step 1    |    Step 2    |  Step   3    | Step 4    |    Step 5    |    Step 6

Building Background Knowledge

    Kites have been around for a number of years.  It is believed that Marco Polo introduced the Europeans to kites after his expeditions to China.  There are many stories, myths, and legends that are associated with kites and flight.  In more recent history, Lawrence Hargrave designed and built the first box kite that was used by the Wright Brothers when they designed their historical aircraft.

            Click here to read more about the history of kites.  After reading, click here.

            Click here to read more about the principles of aerodynamics.  After
            reading, click here.

            Click here for more selected hot topic links associated with kites.

Step 1:

        As you evaluate kite plans, think about what you know about reading and writing directions.  Click here to brainstorm a list of possible considerations for evaluating kite plans.  Click here to complete the following:  How could you use this information to help guide your search for a plan?  Create a checklist for evaluating the plan.
 

Step 2:

    Using the resource list,  select and visit at least three different sites and read completely through a minimum of five plans.  After visiting these sites, click here to answer the following:  What plans are you potentially considering?  What is it about the plan that interests you?

Step 3:

    Select a plan from one of the web sites on the resource list.  Using another source (i.e. library reference book), locate the same type of kite you've selected and compare the plans.  Click here to compare and contrast the two sets of directions and respond to the following:  Of the two plans, is there one you prefer over the other?  Why?

Step 4:

    Click here to create a materials list for your kite.  This list should include exact amounts of each specific item.  Print a copy or photocopy the set of directions you chose.  Carefully apply the CUCC strategy to the directions.  Click here to answer the following about your set of directions.  How many steps are there in the directions?  Are there any steps that are unclear or create questions for you?  How could the directions be made clearer?

Step 5:

    You have now selected a kite plan to build.  Your kite will be judged on the following:  Adherence to plan selected, design of cover, and flight.  Visit this site to learn about the potential problems you may encounter when testing your kite's flight.  Click here to explain how each of the following could potentially affect your kite's performance; wind speed, asymmetry, length of tail.  Keeping these things in mind, you are now ready to construct your kite.

Step 6:

    You did it!  You built a kite from scratch!  You are ready to participate in the kite festival.   Use this rubric to rate your kite.  Are there any changes that you can make before entering the competition?
 

Assessment:

    Students will participate in the Maryland Kite Festival in Ocean City on April 20, 2001.  This project will be evaluated using the following:

               Students will select, construct, and complete a kite for entry in the
               Kite Festival.

               Students will complete the Kite Quest Template.

               Students will be evaluated daily on participation and adherence to
               to Kite Quest activity.

Conclusion:

    Students actively applied strategies for Reading to Perform a Task.  The purpose of the Quest was to allow students to use these strategies to self-select a kite plan for construction and entry in the Maryland Kite Festival.  This performance based task challenged, motivated, and engaged all students.  A good time was had by all :-)