Skip to content

Week 10: Bridges Connect Us

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Kindergarten
Duration 25 minutes
Lesson Type Single-Week
STREAM Focus E (Engineering), R (Religion), M (Math), S (Science)

Week 10: Bridges Connect Us

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Build a simple bridge using KEVA planks or blocks 2. Understand that bridges connect two places 3. Test if their bridge can hold a small weight 4. Identify parts of a bridge (supports, deck/top)

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Understand that bridges connect people just like God's love connects us 2. Recognize that building bridges for others is an act of service 3. Think about how we can "build bridges" of friendship

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Solidarity — God wants us to be connected to each other. Bridges help people get to places they couldn't go before — to schools, hospitals, churches, and to visit family. When we build bridges, we're helping people connect with each other.

Scripture Connection

"Love one another as I have loved you." — John 15:12

Wonder Question

"Have you ever wondered how people build bridges over rivers and valleys? What would happen if there were no bridges?"

📚 Materials and Preparation

Materials Needed

Item Quantity Source
KEVA Planks 30-40 per group School inventory
Small toy cars or figures 3-4 Classroom
Paper cups (for supports) 4-6 per group Classroom
Gap markers (2 books or boxes) 1 set per group Classroom
Small weights to test (toy cars) 1 per group Classroom

Teacher Preparation

  • Set up bridge challenge: two stacks of books about 6 inches apart

  • Prepare KEVA planks in containers

  • Have a photo or two of real bridges ready to show

  • Test the challenge yourself first

📝 Lesson Procedure

⏱️ Timing Guide (25 minutes)

Section Time Activity
Opening Prayer & Wonder 3 min Prayer about connections
Introduction to Bridges 5 min What is a bridge?
Bridge Building Challenge 12 min Build and test
Sharing & Closing 5 min Reflect and pray

1. Opening Prayer & Wonder (3 minutes)

Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for connecting us to each other. Help us build bridges today — with blocks and with friendship. Amen."

Wonder Question:

"What would happen if there were no bridges in the world? How would people get across rivers?"

2. Introduction to Bridges (5 minutes)

Show pictures of bridges:

"This is a bridge. Bridges help people get from one place to another when something is in the way — like a river or a valley."

Parts of a bridge:

  • "The TOP part where you walk or drive is called the deck"

  • "The parts that HOLD IT UP are called supports"

Make a Connection:

"Bridges connect people! They help us get to school, to church, to visit grandma. When people build bridges, they're helping others."

Faith Connection:

"God's love is like a bridge — it connects us to Him and to each other. We can build bridges of friendship by being kind!"

3. Bridge Building Challenge (12 minutes)

Present the Challenge:

"Your challenge: Build a bridge that goes from this stack of books to that stack of books. It needs to be strong enough for a toy car to cross!"

Show the gap (6 inches between two stacks of books or boxes).

Rules:

  • Use KEVA planks (and cups if desired)

  • Bridge must go across the whole gap

  • Test it with the toy car

Building Time:

  • Students work in pairs or small groups

  • Teacher circulates asking questions:

  • "How will you make it stay up?"
  • "What if you add more supports?"
  • "Does it reach all the way across?"

Testing: When groups are ready, test with toy car:

"Let's see if the car can cross safely!"

If it falls:

"Good try! What could you change to make it stronger?"

4. Sharing & Closing (5 minutes)

Gallery Walk:

"Let's walk around and see everyone's bridges!"

Discussion:

  • "What was hard about building a bridge?"

  • "What made your bridge strong?"

  • "Why are bridges important for people?"

Building Bridges of Friendship:

"We can also build bridges with our hearts. When we're kind to someone, when we include someone in a game, when we forgive — we're building bridges of friendship."

Think-Pair-Share:

"Turn to a friend. Tell them one way you can build a bridge of friendship this week."

Closing Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for bridges that connect us. Help us build bridges with our hands and with our hearts. Help us to be kind and to connect with everyone. Amen."

✅ Assessment

Observation Checklist

Skill Observed
Built a bridge spanning the gap ☐
Included supports in design ☐
Tested bridge with weight ☐
Discussed why bridges matter ☐
Connected to friendship bridges ☐

Success Criteria

  • Bridge spans the entire gap

  • Student can identify bridge parts (top, supports)

  • Student shares one way to build a friendship bridge

🔄 Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-build supports, have student add the deck

  • Partner with a helpful buddy

  • Smaller gap to span

  • Use larger blocks if KEVA is too challenging

For Advanced Learners

  • Increase the gap width

  • Challenge: Use as few planks as possible

  • Add weight test: How many cars can it hold?

  • Draw your bridge design afterward

🆘 Substitute Teacher Notes

Simplified version: 1. Look at bridge pictures together 2. Free build with KEVA planks 3. Try to build any bridge (with or without testing) 4. Talk about bridges connecting people 5. Prayer

📖 Vocabulary

Word Definition Visual Cue
Bridge A structure that crosses over something Bridge picture
Connect To join two things together Two hands holding
Support The part that holds something up Pillars
Deck The flat part of a bridge you walk on Road surface
Strong Able to hold weight without breaking Muscle arm

📎 Home Connection

Family Note:

"Today we learned about bridges in STREAM class! We built bridges with blocks and talked about how bridges connect people. We also discussed 'bridges of friendship' — ways we connect with others through kindness. This week, ask your child: 'How did you build a bridge of friendship today?' Look for bridges when you're driving around town!"

Lesson Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 2025-12-05