{"product_id":"save-the-parade-a-balloons-over-broadway-stem-ela-challenge-for-thanksgiving","title":"Save the Parade! | A Balloons Over Broadway STEM+ELA Challenge for Thanksgiving","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSave the Parade! STEM + ELA Engineering Challenge for \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for Grades 2–5 | Thanksgiving Parade STEM Activity | High-Engagement Problem-Solving Challenge\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBring the magic (and the mayhem!) of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into your classroom with \u003cstrong\u003eSave the Parade!\u003c\/strong\u003e, a hands-on STEM + ELA invention challenge inspired by \u003cem\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/em\u003e. Students become engineers, problem-solvers, and creative writers as they work to rescue the parade from hilarious, unexpected disasters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis flexible, high-engagement resource lets students draw a random problem card, be assigned a differentiated challenge, or invent their own parade disaster to solve. It works beautifully as a whole-class activity, small-group project, center rotation, early-finisher task, or a special companion lesson to \u003cem\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐ What Students Will Do\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003eSave the Parade!\u003c\/strong\u003e, students will:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReceive a Parade Disaster Problem Card (40 included!)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOR\u003c\/strong\u003e create their own parade problem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplain why the problem matters using science, engineering, and logic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvent a creative device or solution to save the parade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSketch and label their invention like real engineers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWrite a mini-story showing how their invention worked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptionally present as a news reporter, parade commentator, inventor, or film crew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis challenge blends STEM, creativity, problem-solving, narrative writing, and design thinking—with tons of laughter and imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ What’s Included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStudent Handout \/ Assignment Sheet\u003c\/strong\u003e (clear directions, fill-in sections, sketch box, story prompt, reflection)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e40 Differentiated Problem Cards\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevel 1: simple \u0026amp; visual (2nd–3rd grade)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevel 2: engineering-based\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevel 3: multi-step, complex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevel 4: wild, silly, creative\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlank Create-Your-Own Problem Cards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeacher Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e (setup options, differentiation ideas, classroom management tips)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRubric\u003c\/strong\u003e (4-level scale; includes problem, reasoning, invention, sketch, writing, and optional presentation)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation Options Sheet\u003c\/strong\u003e (news reporter, inventor pitch, commentator, film crew)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e💛 Why You’ll Love It\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy prep — print and go\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtremely engaging — kids LOVE parade chaos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilt-in differentiation — choose cards by level, random draw, or student-created\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntegrates perfectly with \u003cem\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/em\u003e, Thanksgiving units, and STEM days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports engineering design process + narrative writing standards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigned for grades 2–5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🔧 Flexible Implementation Options\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse \u003cstrong\u003eSave the Parade!\u003c\/strong\u003e as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐ 1-Day Activity (45–60 minutes)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect as a high-energy companion to \u003cem\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/em\u003e. Students draw a problem card, design a solution, sketch their invention, and share.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐ 3-Day Mini-Project\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1:\u003c\/strong\u003e Read the story + explore parade challenges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engineer and sketch detailed invention ideas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3:\u003c\/strong\u003e Write the story + present or share\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐ 5-Day STEM + ELA Project\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1:\u003c\/strong\u003e Read-aloud + analyze real parade problems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Problem card selection + brainstorming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueprints and labeled diagrams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draft + revise narrative writing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5:\u003c\/strong\u003e Present as reporter, inventor, filmmaker, or commentator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🎓 Classroom Uses\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThanksgiving week lessons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSTEM labs or centers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompanion to \u003cem\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast-finisher challenge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriting workshop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSTEAM Friday\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMakerspace\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSub plans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e📘 Standards Alignment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Varies by grade)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNGSS Engineering Design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProblem-Solution Writing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNarrative Writing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCritical Thinking \u0026amp; Reasoning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiagramming \u0026amp; Visual Communication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA read-aloud copy of \u003cem\u003eBalloons Over Broadway\u003c\/em\u003e is recommended but not included, a link is provided within.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you use this resource, please leave a review — it helps other teachers find it and lets me know what to create next. Thank you for supporting independent educators!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e©  The Bewitched Teacher. For single-classroom use. Please purchase additional licenses for sharing with colleagues.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Bewitched Teacher","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54766466335004,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/8035\/5868\/files\/NewThumbnailSeriesOct_1_copy3.png?v=1792872536","url":"https:\/\/thebewitchedteacher.com\/products\/save-the-parade-a-balloons-over-broadway-stem-ela-challenge-for-thanksgiving","provider":"The Bewitched Teacher","version":"1.0","type":"link"}