Mrs. Renz's 4th Grade Class

Mrs. Renz was given a strange looking birthday present by her father, Scott Reekie. She replied, "Thanks, Dad! . . . . What is it?" Her dad replied, "I'll give you ten guesses!" And thus, the idea for this classroom inquiry lesson was born!

In groups of 3 or 4, my students were shown the "birthday gift" and asked to come up with ideas of things it could be used for. After lots of thinking and wondering time, all the things the class came up with were listed on a chart. At the end of the lesson, students asked me what it was. I told them the ideas on the chart were awesome, but none of the items listed were what the gift really was. I told the class they would have to wait until my dad came to visit and he would tell them.

Students were surprised to find out what it was.

Here is the list of what our students thought the "birthday gift" could be:
Electric cord protector	Marble holder	Pipe	Rain gutter	Pointing stick
Double sided shovel	Golf ball tunnel	Window blind slat	Decoration	Weighing stick
Canoe	Pool cue stick holder	Money slider for the bank	Tool to get lost things out from under the fridge or couch	Slide for action figures
Launcher	Money holder	Water depth tester	Yardstick	Paddle for a boat
Gumball dispenser	Flag holder	Stake to hold up plants	45” birthday stick	Golf ball bridge
Height measurer	Water slide	Piece of house siding	Flag hanger	Leg of something
Drainer	Car bumper	Bottle rocket support	Bookshelf display	Chalk tray

Look closely - The white things are the birthday gift.

What do you think it is?

.....and the birthday gift was...... a long shoe horn!