About this resource
Students are shown a coat hanger and each student is asked to create a list of different possible uses. They may use any material, size, or shape of hanger. They may manipulate it any way they would like, or use one or more than one hanger. Students are then given an hour to create as many of the products as they have brainstormed. Students then display the products and conduct a gallery walk giving feedback on each product in the form of, "I like…, I wonder…, I suggest" (Larmer, 2013). Students then read the feedback and make modifications as suggested or as needed to the products.
This activity can be used with a variety of household items such as books, pencils, silverware, or anything you can think of.
Modifications for all Learners: Students may be provided with additional modalities as needed and computer aided design tools such as TinkerCad to further explore their designs.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Science/English
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
AASL Main Standard(s): I. INQUIRE Build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving problems. C. Share - Learners adapt, communicate, and exchange learning products with others in a cycle that includes: 2. Providing constructive feedback. 3. Acting on feedback to improve. 4. Sharing products with an authentic audience.
V. EXPLORE Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection. B. Create - Learners construct new knowledge by: 1. Problem solving through cycles of design, implementation, and reflection. 2. Persisting through self-directed pursuits by tinkering and making.
Related STEM Area: Engineering and design
NGSS Main Related Engineering Design Standard: MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
What students will do
- Students will use critical thinking skills and inquiry skills.
- Students will communicate with each other and provide thoughtful and productive feedback.
- Students will revise original thinking.
- Students will create as many different uses as possible for a coat hanger besides handing clothes.
Students are asked to use critical thinking skills, inquiry skills, communicate with one another, provide thoughtful and productive feedback, and revise original thinking.
Resources Needed
Various types and sizes of coat hangers made of different materials, connectors such as - tape, duct tape, pipe cleaners, paper clips; scissors or wire cutters. Add materials as you see fit.
How learning is assessed
- Students used critical thinking skills and inquiry skills.
- Students communicated with each other and provided thoughtful and productive feedback.
- Students revised original thinking.
- Students created as many different uses as possible for a coat hanger besides hanging clothes.