In this activity, students will integrate what they have read in the “Toy Soldiers” chapter in Toys! Amazing Stories Behind Some Great Inventions, and use the article, “Can you believe bubbles made the Toy Hall of Fame?” (Link is listed below.) These articles discuss toy soldiers and action figures, but have differing ideas about the toy.
Toys! Amazing Stories Behind Some Great Inventions
“Can you believe bubbles made the Toy Hall of Fame?”
See article: https://tweentribune.com/article/tween56/can-you-believe-bubbles-made-toy-hall-fame/
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Due Date:
Objective:Create a storyboard comparing what you have read in the “Toy Soldiers” chapter in Toys! Amazing Stories Behind Some Great Inventions, and the article, “Can you believe bubbles made the Toy Hall of Fame?”
Engage students in a class discussion where they share their storyboard insights and compare observations about toy soldiers versus bubbles. This collaborative talk helps students refine their understanding and learn from peers’ perspectives.
Create a list of open-ended, focused questions that prompt students to analyze similarities and differences between the toys. Use questions like, "How does each toy encourage creativity?" or "Why do you think one toy lasted longer in popularity?" to keep the discussion lively and on-topic.
Display a sample T-chart or Venn diagram and demonstrate how to sort information from both articles. Show students how to organize details visually to make connections clearer.
Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss their storyboards and reflect on their findings. This allows everyone to voice their ideas and consider alternate viewpoints.
Encourage students to design a new toy that combines features from both articles, then present their ideas to the class. This reinforces comparison skills and sparks creativity.
To create a storyboard comparing two articles about toy soldiers and action figures, summarize each article's main points in separate boxes, add illustrations showing key scenes or characters from each, and use a T-Chart to visually organize similarities and differences. This helps students integrate information and develop critical thinking skills.
The main objective is for students to compare and contrast information from two different texts about toys, specifically toy soldiers and bubbles, by creating a storyboard. This activity supports skills in reading comprehension, analysis, and synthesis.
Encourage students to identify key ideas from each text, list similarities and differences in the T-Chart, and use short summaries. Adding visuals and text evidence helps reinforce understanding and keeps the activity engaging.
Toy soldiers and action figures are relatable and engaging for students, making them effective for lessons on history, invention, and cultural change. They also inspire open-ended play, which encourages creativity and critical thinking in the classroom.
One article highlights toy soldiers' historical significance and their evolution into action figures, while the other focuses on their popularity, cultural impact, and role in imaginative play. Comparing both helps students see diverse perspectives on a familiar topic.