Grade 3 · Low-Tech Builds · Lesson 63

Paper Chain Reach

Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening.

Time2 × 45 minutesTeamsPairs; alternate builder and testerEquipmentBasic classroom materials; no powered equipment

Your project in view

What you are making

Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening.

This generated example illustrates one possible finished design—not actual student work. Use the lesson’s sizes, connected parts and safety steps; your colors and creative details can be different.

Generated finished-project example for Paper Chain Reach: Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening.
Paper Chain Reach · Generated project example

Student directions · Grade 3

What will you make and do?

Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening.

Teacher overview: Students will plan the specific object described below, make and test a first version, then use their results to improve it. Read one step together, demonstrate the unfamiliar action, and let students complete that step before moving on.

  1. 1Plan your project

    Measure the teacher-marked distance. Draw a wide link and a narrow link and predict which uses paper efficiently.

  2. 2Make the first parts

    Cut paper into strips using your selected width. Curl one strip into a ring and tape the overlap.

  3. 3Put it together

    Pass each new strip through the last ring before closing it. Use the same tape allowance on each joint.

  4. 4Test it fairly

    Lay the chain between the marks without stretching. Lift it gently over the table three times and record opened links.

  5. 5Improve one part

    Change the overlap or strip width at one weak link. Repeat the lift without pulling hard.

  6. 6Show and turn in

    Submit the chain length, link count and lift results. Explain your choice of strip width.

How will you know it works?

  • Reaches the two marked points
  • Links stay closed during three gentle lifts
  • Record the stated test and explain one revision

Before you move on

Tell a partner what you are making. Point to the part you will work on next. Draw or dictate your test notes if writing slows you down.

Machine cutting, printer setup and electrical power-on require adult approval. A basic-materials model is a valid way to demonstrate the design when equipment is unavailable.

Keep your plan, test notes and before-and-after evidence with the printable design brief below. Use the detailed teacher plan and any coding guide for tool instructions. These steps continue across the lesson’s meetings, not all in one sitting.

For teachers

Engineering standards

This shows how the lesson connects to the national NGSS engineering standards and what student work you can collect.

Assessed

3-5-ETS1-1

Define the need in Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening. Agree on the two success checks and the listed material limits.

What students show: Two labeled ideas with the target and limits stated.
Practiced

3-5-ETS1-2

Compare the ideas using the project checks: Reaches the two marked points; Links stay closed during three gentle lifts.

What students show: A selected design with a reason connected to a success check.
Assessed

3-5-ETS1-3

Test, change one feature and retest: Lay the chain between the marks without stretching. Lift it gently over the table three times and record opened links. Change the overlap or strip width at one weak link. Repeat the lift without pulling hard.

What students show: Before-and-after results collected under the same conditions.

Materials

  • One sheet of paper
  • scissors
  • tape
  • ruler
  • two tabletop marks
  • Pencil, planning paper and the printable design brief below

Teacher preparation

  1. Gather per-pair materials: One sheet of paper; scissors; tape; ruler; two tabletop marks.
  2. Make one rough sample and rehearse the exact test: Lay the chain between the marks without stretching. Lift it gently over the table three times and record opened links.
  3. Set the size, load or distance marks mentioned in the steps before class. Demonstrate an ordinary first attempt, not a perfect model to copy.
  4. Prepare any holes, fasteners or difficult cuts for students. Check the stated safety note and clear the testing space.

Step by step

How to teach it

Meeting 1 · 0–8 min

See the job and plan

  1. Introduce the finished object: Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening.
  2. Measure the teacher-marked distance. Draw a wide link and a narrow link and predict which uses paper efficiently.
  3. Students say what would count as a successful result.
Meeting 1 · 8–18 min

Model the unfamiliar action

  1. Demonstrate slowly: Cut paper into strips using your selected width. Curl one strip into a ring and tape the overlap.
  2. Pause so partners can repeat the action; provide prepared parts if cutting or folding blocks progress.
Meeting 1 · 18–35 min

Build the first version

  1. Pass each new strip through the last ring before closing it. Use the same tape allowance on each joint.
  2. Partners swap builder and checker roles halfway through. Check the working part before decorating.
Meeting 1 · 35–45 min

Try once and save

  1. Run one trial of the stated test to locate an obvious problem. Do not count a changed procedure as a fair comparison.
  2. Label and store the model; sketch its current shape and clear the work area.
Meeting 2 · 0–8 min

Predict and set up

  1. Revisit the two success checks. Agree on identical starting conditions and prepare a before/after results table.
Meeting 2 · 8–23 min

Collect evidence

  1. Lay the chain between the marks without stretching. Lift it gently over the table three times and record opened links.
  2. One student operates while the other records. Swap for a later trial while noting a change of operator if it affects the result.
Meeting 2 · 23–35 min

Change one thing

  1. Change the overlap or strip width at one weak link. Repeat the lift without pulling hard.
  2. Keep the original results rather than replacing them with only the best attempt.
Meeting 2 · 35–45 min

Explain and clean up

  1. Submit the chain length, link count and lift results. Explain your choice of strip width.
  2. Collect the brief and results; separate reusable materials and clean the test area.

Assessment

  • Reaches the two marked points
  • Links stay closed during three gentle lifts
  • Student demonstrates the actual task: Lay the chain between the marks without stretching. Lift it gently over the table three times and record opened links.
  • Record includes failures as well as successes.
  • Student identifies one changed feature and uses the retest to explain the result.

Supports & extensions

  • Provide fold marks or pre-cut parts; accept drawings or dictated observations.
  • Start with the smallest working version of paper chain reach before decoration.
  • Extension after success: choose one more value for the same tested feature, predict its effect and repeat lay the chain between the marks without stretching.

Safety & responsible use

  • Teacher checks materials and test conditions before use. Use classroom scissors; adults prepare difficult cuts, holes and fasteners.
  • No powered tools, coding, hot glue or electrical circuits are required. Keep moving objects contained and test loads light.
  • Keep pieces on the tabletop, do not mouth materials and stop if a part tears into a sharp or loose hazard.

No-machine alternative

Use prepared paper parts, larger pieces or an adult-assisted version of the same build. Keep the functional task: Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening. If physical testing is not possible, label sketches as predictions rather than measured results.

Printable student design brief

The challenge

Make a paper chain that reaches between two marked points without its links opening.

Success criteria

  • Reaches the two marked points
  • Links stay closed during three gentle lifts
  • Record the stated test and explain one revision

Constraints

  • Use only the listed teacher-approved materials
  • Stay within the teacher-set size, load and test-space limits
  • Two 45-minute meetings; keep the first version simple

Engineer’s notes

Who uses this object, and what should it do?
Draw two possible designs. Label the working parts and circle your choice.
Which size, fold, gap or position must you measure or mark?
Before testing, predict what will happen: Lay the chain between the marks without stretching. Lift it gently over the table three times and record opened links.
Record each trial: condition / expected result / actual result.
Draw the ONE change you made. What stayed the same?
Record the retest. Did the change help, not help, or leave the result uncertain?
Show and explain: one result that supports your conclusion.
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