Erik’s Unexpected

TwistAli Palmer and Amanda Freeman

Book Overview

• Erik went on a camping trip and he is worried something will go wrong like it always does

• While hiking, Erik’s friend Matthias fell and twisted his knee

• Erik told Matthias ligaments connect one bone to another, which he knew from a skateboard accident

• Dr. Werden designed a brace for Matthias’ knee

Activity: Design A Brace

• In the book, Matthias hurt his knee

• Pretend you are Dr. Werden trying to design a brace for Matthias

• Goal: design a brace that does not allow the doll’s knee to move

Ask

• Ask questions about knees and brace designs

• Can your knee bend in all directions?

• Does the doll’s knee move in the same way ours do?

• What types of braces do you know of?

• Research types of braces!

Imagine

• What qualities do these have that would make them good for braces?• Soft, hard, flexible, etc.

• What qualities should a brace have?• Easy to put on and take off

• Materials:• Fabric, cardboard, craft sticks, pipe

cleaners, rubber bands, paper clips, clothespins

Plan

• Work with a partner to agree on a plan for a brace

• Draw a picture of the plan you imagined

• List materials needed• Visit class “store” to get materials

needed

Plan

Create

• Create your brace following your plan

• Record how or if the knee moves when the brace is on

• Is it easy to put on or off?

• Look at rubric and compare your results• If your brace doesn’t meet criteria,

reevaluate and improve your plan

Create

Improve

• Improve your plan, if needed

• Work with partner to discuss what to change

• Make sure the brace doesn’t allow the knee to move

• Make the brace more comfortable or easier to put on and take off