TOPIC: BIRDS
LEVEL: Intermediate

"Paper Kites"

[ information | preparation | activity | curriculum | literature ]

SCIENCE CONCEPT:

Opposing forces such as lift and gravity and other forces such as thrust and drag are necessary for flight to occur when flying a kite.

STUDENT OBJECTIVE:

The student will experience one of the earliest flying devices by making and flying a kite. The student will feel the forces affecting flight: lift, gravity, thrust and drag.

OVERVIEW:

The student will construct and fly a simple kite with a keel for stability in order to experience the forces necessary to make an object fly.

TEACHER TEXT:

Amphibians and reptiles that glide through the air include "flying" frogs, "flying" lizards, and "flying" snakes. Webbing between the toe as well as extended flaps of abdominal skin are used by flying frogs and geckos. Extra folds of skin enable flying lizards and snakes to extend their ribs to stretch out their bodies and hold it stiff so that air caught underneath holds them up for a while. The golden tree snake of the Malayan Peninsula can "fly" from a tree to surprise its prey or escape an enemy. Once in the air, the snake can glide for 65 feet or more.

Gliding mammals include "flying" lemurs and "flying" squirrels. Both have folds of skin along the sides of their bodies that connect their front and hind limbs to help them glide, not fly, from tree to tree or from tree to ground. Although not a true lemur, the "flying" lemur, or Colugo, of Southeast Asia can spread its flaps of skin and glide through the air like a living parachute. It can glide as far as 450 feet between trees. The "flying" squirrels of Asia, North America and Europe use the furry membrane between their outstretched limbs to "parachute" from tree to tree using their long tails as rudders for maneuvering.

Although true flyers, some birds also glide and soar. Perhaps to rest their wings, hawks, vultures and gulls sometimes glide. As they glide, they drop lower and lower until finally they must start flapping again to stay up in the air.

PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes

LESSON TIME: 30 minutes

TEACHER PREP:

Gather materials

WORDS TO KNOW:

MATERIALS NEEDED:

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Draw a picture of a bird, bat or insect on one side of the kite paper. Notice the dotted lines.
2. Fold the paper in half down the middle of the short side, picture side out.
3. On the dotted line, fold the paper again.
4. Turn your paper over and fold on the other dotted line.
5. On the back side, tape the folded edges together.
6. Near the top, tape a straw horizontally.
7. On the same side, tape the crepe streamer to the bottom of the paper.
8. Tape one end of the ribbon along the three dots with a piece of tape and turn your kite over.
9. Time to fly your kite!
10. Extension: Try different shapes of kites such as diamond, triangular, box, etc. to observe and experience different types of flight.

WHY?:

The forces of lift, drag and gravity are used to fly a kite. It must be flown so the angle of attack, controlled by the string, is at the proper angle to provide maximum lift to overcome the downward pull of gravity and the drag (or resistance) to the wind.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4....Student is able to communicate why a kite is made the way it is, how the parts of a kite work, and how the air flows over the wings to give it lift.

3....Student is able to communicate how the parts of a kite work and how the air flows over the wings to give it lift.

2....Student is able to communicate how the parts of a kite work.

1....Student is only able to communicate that the kite has different parts.

CURRICULUM LINK IDEAS:

MATH:
Graphing Kite Variables: These paper kites are fun, but students will soon find out that there are some definite limits. The variables are: weight of the paper and materials used, weight of the string, surface area or size of the kite. Some suggestions for graphs include: surface area of kite vs. height and type of paper vs. height.

LANGUAGE ARTS:
Action Packed Verbs: Tell students to look at a bird gliding in the sky. Make a list of action verbs that go with the bird's movements. For example, a leaf can grow, hang, spin, fall, or float. Try to think of action verbs pertaining to birds. Choose one verb from your list to act out for your classmates. Have them guess the verb being acted out.
Guessing What? Game: Have students write something that flies like bird, plane, insect, etc. Use those same words to write a riddle on a card. On the other side of the card, have students write the answer.Trade cards with a partner. Take turns reading each other's riddles out loud. Then answer the riddles.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Cultural Origins of Kites: Kites have long been the domain of the Asian cultures. Even today, Asian children take part in kite-flying contests- sometimes with glass-coated strings so they can have "kite wars" with the last kite still attached to its string as the victorious winner. Have students research the various stories on kites from China and Japan. As an extension, draw and label the different kinds of Asian kites in a timeline format.
Ben Franklin: Ben Franklin has long been associated with kites and electricity. Popular myths have him holding onto the kite string and a key, which of course, would be suicidal. In actuality, Franklin tied the string to his house and put his finger close to the key to feel the static( much like the sensation of rubbing a balloon on your hair and then feeling the static on the balloon).Have students find several pictures of Ben Franklin and have them note whether he is being safe or unsafe with electricity.

VISUAL/ PERFORMING ARTS:
Tissue Paper Kites: As a craft project, construct a simple diamond shaped kite using white tissue paper to cover the frame. Have students plan and trace a large design from ancient folktales about and kites. Then using bright colors, paint the design in.
Miniature Kites: Have students trace one half of a kite shape on a folded piece of construction paper. Then they cut on lines opposite the folded edge (similar to a paper heart). Finally, they dip a string into paint and lay it between the folded kite to create a symmetrical design. Students can add yarn, etc, for a tail as a final touch.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Fly A Kite: After either constructing or purchasing kites, have students on a windy day experience the joy of actually flying a kite. In small groups, students can take turns running and keeping a kite aloft. Discuss the aerobics of being able to keep your running endurance steady in order to keep the kite gliding.

LITERATURE LINKS:

The Dragon Kite
Author: Nancy Lueen
Publisher: ???
Grade Level: K-8
Synopsis:
A Japanese folk tale about a Robin Hood like character who strives to steal the golden dolphin to sell in order to feed his fellow village people and cleverly uses a kite device.

The Emperor and The Kite
Author: Jane Yolen
Publisher: Illustrated Young Editions:Sand Castle Books, 1967
Grade Level: ???
Synopsis:
The Emperor's tiniest daughter saves him from evil men by her good thinking. Good message about never overlooking small details.

Catch The Wing: All About Kites
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1989
Grade Level: K-3
Synopsis:
When two children visit Ike's shop they learn about kites and how to fly them. A fun way to make use of the energy produced by the wind! Includes instructions for building a kite.

Wilbur and Orville Wright: The Flight to Adventure
Author: Louis Sabin
Publisher: Mahwah, New Jersey :Troll Associates, 1983
Grade Level: ???
Synopsis:
The Wright Brothers search for a perfect flight vehicle.