Low Cost High Pay Off Lesson

One year I decided to collect some old computers for children to take apart. The local computer repair shop had plenty of old computers for us to choose from in their recycle bins. I also was able to collect items from parents who had old electronics for us to use. First I have students research several internal components, draw a picture, and write about the purpose of the item. Students LOVE dismantling computers and talk about it for years later. I like to do this with 4th and 5th graders. Third graders aren’t as strong to take items apart. You will need screwdrivers and pliers. I had students label the internal components first after they took their computer apart so that I could check and see if they correctly identified them.

See some of their work here….