Children take turns placing a small object in a large box lid. The class predicts whether it will roll or slide when the box lid is tipped to become a ramp.
Choose an object to put in the box lid.
What happens when I tip the lid? Does the object roll or slide?
Materials
- Large box lid (approximately 12″ x 18″) or a baking pan
- Small objects such as plastic spoon, plastic bottle top, eraser, wooden bead, roll of tape, linking cubes (try 2 or 3 stuck together), small book, wooden block
Preparation
- Collect a set of small objects that roll and slide (see Materials list above).
Directions: Lesson 3
Circle Time: Introduction
- Have children take turns choosing a small object from the collection and placing it in a large box lid. Possible discussion ideas:
- What do you think will happen to the (object) when I tip the box lid so that it becomes a ramp?
- Notice the shape of the (object). How do you think it will move? Do you predict it will roll or slide? Use hand motions to reinforce the meaning of these words. Why do you think that?
- Encourage children to build on their classmates’ comments, adding their own supporting reasons or offering a different prediction and explanation.
- Tip the box lid slowly until the object begins to roll, slide, or tumble (you may want to introduce this as a new vocabulary term when relevant). Possible discussion ideas:
- Is the (object) rolling or sliding? Were our predictions correct?
