Students will listen to Not a Stick with their families, notice how a stick could help in play or at home, and share one user-centered idea about what their stick might become.

Students will turn observations from the read-aloud, stick hunt, and family talk into a simple problem statement about what their stick invention should do, who it is for, and why that need matters before they begin sketching and building.

Students will brainstorm several possible stick inventions, sketch one promising idea, and choose a direction that fits a real play or home need they identified with family support.

Students will turn their chosen idea into a first stick invention prototype by building with simple materials, checking that the design matches the problem they named, and preparing one clear part to improve after feedback in the next phase.

Students will test their stick invention draft with a peer and prepare to gather parent feedback by showing how the design works, listening to responses, and recording one change they should try next.

Students will use a structured peer critique to share their stick prototype, listen closely to feedback from classmates, and choose one revision that will help the invention work better for play or a simple problem before the final reflection phase.

Students will share their finished stick invention for the Spruce Stick Museum, explain how it changed through feedback, and complete a brief parent-student reflection note that captures learning, revision, and a next idea to try.