"Paper Tail"

SCIENCE CONCEPT:

Why do we put tails on kites? Tails provide stability to flying objects.

STUDENT OBJECTIVE:

Students will demonstrate how a kite's tail affects the way a kite flies.

OVERVIEW:

The student will move a wide strip of paper back and forth noting the erratic movements. Then later, will add a smaller width strip of paper and observe that the "tail" appears to move smoothly through the air.This demonstrates the effect of a kite's tail as the kite flies and also demonstrates how a bird's tail feather and the use of thermals work hand in hand to create a smoother air flow as birds navigate through turbulent air flows or warm thermals.

TEACHER TEXT:

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, At other times, they have been known to soar higher and higher for hours on warm currents called thermals.

PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes

LESSON TIME: 20 minutes

TEACHER PREP:

Cut paper into 2 sizes of strips.

WORDS TO KNOW:

• attach
• back and forth
• wider
• discuss
• strip
• whip
• in front of
• observe

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• sheet of papers
• scissors
• triangular cellophane tape

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Cut a 2 inch by 11 inch wide strip from the paper. Take the wide strip of paper..

2. Attach the string to one end of the strip.

3. Hold the end of the string and whip the paper back and forth in front of you. Observe the tail.

4. Cut a 1/4 inch by 12 inch strip from the paper.

5. Attach the thin strip of tape to the wide strip.

6. Again whip the strip back and forth in front of you. Observe what happens this time.

Ask: How does it move now? Is it the same or different?<

WHY?:

The paper twirls around, but when the small strip is attached the movement is smoother. The paper moves forward at an angle, causing the air to flow faster over the top side. Fast moving air has a lower pressure around the moving stream. Thus, more uplift is exerted on the bottom of the strip. The angle of the paper is not constant, causing changes in the pressure along with a turbulent air flow across the strip. These changes make the strip twist and rotate. The paper tail makes the angle more constant. Therefore, there is a smoother flow of air across the paper and less twisting.

This simple demonstration shows the effect of a kite's tail as it flies. This also demonstrates how a bird's tail feathers and the use of thermals are intertwined. As we see in bird's flight, their tails help to create a smoother air flow as they navigate through turbulent air flows or warm thermals.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4....Student is able to communicate that the paper tail makes the angle more constant, therefore, there is a smoother flow of air across the paper and the kite has less twisting

3....Student is able to communicate that the paper tail causes a smoother flow of air across the paper and the kite twists less.

2....Student is able to communicate that the kite tail makes the kite more stable and the kite flies smoother when the tail is attached

1....Student is only able to communicate that the kite flies smoother when the kite tail is attached

CURRICULUM LINK IDEAS:

MATH:

Surface Area: Determine the surface area of your kite and how that affects the flight of a kite.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

"How To" Writing: Have students write a "how to" paper on the subject of constructing a kite. Make sure they include specific kite dimensions.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

"Pin the Tail on the Donkey" Game: Have students complete a research paper on the history and origin of the famous parlor game, "Pin the Tail on the Donkey.":

History of Kites: Have students investigate and complete research reports on the history of kites in various countries and their cultural uses.

VISUAL/ PERFORMING ARTS:

Construct a Kite: Trade "How To" papers (from the Language Arts Link above) and construct the kite according to those directions.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

Take the final products above (from visual/performance arts), and run to launch the kites.

LITERATURE LINKS:

Make Way for Ducklings

Author: Robert Mc Closkey.

Publisher: New York: The Viking Press, 1941.

Grade Level: K-4

Synopsis:

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard find that the proper environment for raising their ducklings can be in the middle of a crowded city. Despite the obstacles involved, Boston's Public Gardens is a suitable habitat for these wild ducks.

Wings of a Tiger

Author: Barbara Juster Ebensen.

Publisher: Orchard Books.

Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

A story about an owl but also talks about flight. A Beautiful book!.

Wings: A Pop-up Book of Things that Fly

Author: Nick Bantock.

Publisher: Los Angeles: Random House;Intervisual Communicatons.

Grade Level: 2-8

Synopsis:

Answers such questions as: How do humming birds hover in the air?Why can't humans fly by flapping their arms like birds? A fact packed introduction to the mysteries of flight.

Jonathon Livingston Seagull

Author: Richard Bach.

Publisher: New York: MacMillan,1970.

Grade Level: 5-12

Synopsis:

A modern day fable about a seagull who wishes to soar higher than the rest of his flock and attain success.

The Little Tiny Rooster

Author: Will & Nicholas.

Publisher: New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc.,1960.

Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

A small size rooster doesn't feel important until is able to fly down from his roost to catch an intruder.

Jake O' Shawnasey

Author: Stephen Cosgrove.

Publisher: Columbus, Ohio: Weekly Reader Books, 1978.

Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

Jake, a green Irish seagull, is convinced that he can't fly.

The Swan Princess

Author: Richard Rich & Brian Nissen.

Publisher: New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc 1994.

Grade Level: K-4

Synopsis:

A famous fairy tale about a bewitched princess who must stay a swan until her beloved prince can declare his love for her to his whole kingdom.

The Picture Book of Birds

Publisher: Netherlands:World Distributors, no date given.

Synopsis:

Full size photographs and labels of common birds found in North America and Europe.

The Trumpet of the Swan

Author: E. B. White.

Grade Level: 3-6

Synopsis:

Story of Louis, the Trumpeter Swan who is born without a voice and the efforts and adventure of his father and a human boy who befriends him to help with his "voiceless" plight.

The Glorious Flight

Author: Alice and Martin Provensen

Publisher: New York: Viking Penguin, 1983.

Grade Level: 4-8

Synopsis:

Louis Bleriot had already become a successful inventor in the automobile industry, but the desire to fly became the driving force in his life. Despite numerous setbacks, he continued perfecting a machine until he became the first man to fly across the channel.