How many of you have your students do home projects?

I don’t do many because usually it turns into a parent project instead of a student project… but when I do, I always include activities that I know for sure the student did, like a writing portion where they have to explain their understanding.

Last week, my students had a home project to show their knowledge of simple machines by designing a leprechaun trap! (click the link for the freebie in my store!) They were SO excited about it! They only had to draw the designs and explain how they would work, but many of them built the traps too:

Here are some of their drawn designs:

And of course, they were due on St. Patrick’s Day, so we set up our traps when we left the room, just in case… and that tricky leprechaun left footprints and confetti all over the place! Some of the confetti pieces were even shaped like little leprechauns! No one caught the leprechaun this year…

Since this really got my kids excited to show their knowledge about simple machines, I’m linking this up with my BBB, Joanne, for Sparking Student Motivation!

Have a great weekend!