World languages activity
Invention Pitch
Invent something new with blocks or recycled materials, then tell everyone what it does! Practice describing your creation.
Materials and setup
- building materials or recycled items
- paper
- crayons
- pencil
How this changes by age
Pre-K (ages 3–4)
Invent something new with blocks or recycled materials, then tell everyone what it does! Practice describing your creation.
Steps
- Build something new and imaginative with any materials available.
- Ask: 'What is this? What does it do? Who would use it?'
- Help your child present their invention to the family in 3 sentences.
Learning objectives
- Describe a creation using complete sentences
- Answer who, what, and why questions about an object
- Practice speaking confidently to a small audience
Kindergarten (ages 5–6)
Design an invention, draw it, and write a short pitch explaining what it does and why people need it.
Steps
- Draw your invention and give it a name.
- Write 3 sentences: what it is, what it does, and why people need it.
- Present your invention pitch to family members.
Learning objectives
- Write persuasive sentences explaining a product's purpose
- Use descriptive language to explain how something works
- Present ideas orally with confidence
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Create a full invention poster with a drawing, name, tagline, description, and 3 reasons someone should buy it.
Steps
- Design your invention with a labeled diagram and catchy name.
- Write a tagline (short catchy phrase) and a paragraph describing how it works.
- List 3 persuasive reasons someone should buy your invention.
Learning objectives
- Write persuasive marketing language with a tagline and reasons
- Combine visual and written elements in a presentation poster
- Use persuasive techniques: appeal to need, convenience, and fun
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Deliver a bilingual 2-minute invention pitch. Write the pitch with key phrases in your target language and English, prepare a bilingual script, and present.
Steps
- Identify a real problem and design an invention that solves it.
- Write a pitch with 4 sections: The Problem, The Solution, Who It's For, and Why It's Worth It. Translate the section headings, the product name, and at least 5 key sentences (one per section plus the tagline) into your target language.
- Prepare the script in bilingual form: target language on the left, English on the right, so your audience can follow.
- Practice pronunciation 3 times. Deliver a 2-minute presentation in which you speak the target-language sentences out loud, then explain in English. Take questions from your audience afterward.
Learning objectives
- Write a structured persuasive pitch with clear sections
- Identify and articulate a problem-solution relationship
- Present and explain ideas in a clear spoken format
Safety and evidence note
Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.
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