Children observe what happens when a marble rolls down a ramp and hits an obstacle. They use the Slow It Down Videos tool to document their experiments.
Set up a ramp and an obstacle.
Predict what will happen when the marble hits the obstacle.
Materials
- Cardboard blocks (or similar support) to prop up the ramp
- Chart paper and marker for writing down children’s predictions
- Cove molding, 1–2 pieces, 12″–18″ long (or paper towel tubes) to serve as a ramp
- Items with which to construct bowling game obstacles: plastic cups, lids, cardboard tubes, toy car, ball, small block tower, towel, toy animals, etc.
- Large and/or extra-large marble
- Slow It Down Videos tool in the digital Ramps Journal on 1 or more iPads (Ideally, use a different iPad for each Guided Small Group.)
- Items with which to construct bowling game obstacles: plastic cups, lids, cardboard tubes, toy car, ball, small block tower, towel, toy animals, etc.
- Optional: Chart paper or poster board, to create a smoother roll-out area
Preparation
- Test out your materials beforehand to determine the best height for your ramp supports.
- You may want to use a different iPad for each Guided Small Group. This means that each iPad will have Ready, Set, Roll the Marble Slow It Down videos that children can revisit independently at the Learning Center.
Directions: Lesson 7
Guided Small Group
- Set up a ramp with a piece of cove molding (or paper towel tubes) and a cardboard block. Let children select one obstacle to place 6–10 inches in front of the ramp.
- Encourage children to make predictions about what will happen when they roll the marble down the ramp. Possible discussion ideas:
- What do you predict will happen to the marble when it hits this obstacle? Will it stop? Slow down? Change direction? Write down children’s predictions on chart paper.
- What do you predict will happen to this obstacle when it is hit by the marble? Write down children’s predictions.
- Ask half the group to carefully observe what happens to the marble when it hits the obstacle. Ask the other half to observe what happens to the obstacle.
- Remind the group to leave the marble and the obstacle where they are when each object stops moving.
- Carefully aim the ramp at the obstacle and let the marble roll down.
- Have children describe what happened to the marble and the obstacle.
- Circle any of the predictions that proved correct. Write down any other observations children describe.
- Put the obstacle back in place. This time, invite a child to video record the experiment, using the Slow It Down Videos tool within the digital Ramps Journal. Invite another child to hold and release the marble.
- Help the child making the video frame the ramp and roll-out area. When the child making the video and the child releasing the marble are both ready, tap the orange record button. The child holding the marble should wait for the app’s audio prompt before releasing the marble: Ready? Set? Go! The app begins to record on “Go!”
- Once recorded, watch the video in slow motion, using the pause button as you see fit. Have children describe what happened to the marble when it hit the obstacle.
- Watch again so children can describe what happened to the obstacle. Does watching the action in slow motion allow children to notice any new details?
- Repeat these steps as the group tests more obstacles. After a few rounds, children may want to construct a more complex obstacle that combines several items, like the girls did in the Ramp Rolling video from a prior activity. If you have both a large and an extra-large marble, you may want to experiment with changing this variable.
NOTE: You will share these videos as a class during the Ready, Set, Roll the Marble: Revisited Circle Time: Wrap-Up activity. Offer each group different obstacles for their videos.
SAFETY NOTE: Marbles can be a choking hazard to children. Make sure children understand that they are never to put marbles in their mouths. Monitor children when they are playing with marbles to ensure that they are using them responsibly and safely.
