Kerplink, Kerplank, Kerplunk
Physics in the Trees Classroom
Physics in the Trees Classroom
Our block area has been transformed!
The children have been working to create marble runs with hollow blocks, unit blocks, and wooden ramps. If all goes well, all of these elements work seamlessly together to carry your marble from the beginning to the end without upset, after which you get an exceptionally satisfying "ker-plunk" into the green bucket waiting at the end. But oh, so many things can go wrong along the way: the level of the towers, the slope of the ramps, the amount of grip under the ramps to prevent sliding, the placement of the walls to prevent the marble from escaping as it turns a corner. So much to fine tune, test, adjust, and discover! Gravity, slope, weight, resistance, movement. In a word, physics.
After an initial period of frustration, where the marble would sometime stay on course or sometimes deviate, a pivotal discovery was made when Benjamin exclaimed,"Oh! The marble moves the track! Every time!" The children then all began to see that, because of this phenomenon, the marble never rolls the same course twice. We had made an outstanding discovery, in essence becoming aware of chaos theory. (Click HERE for a reminder)
Before full marble runs were introduced the children conducted experiments on single ramps with different types of rollers. Which shape rolled the best? Why? Which weight rolled fastest? Why? How did a shallow or steep slope affect the roller? Why? These questions were posed and the children worked hard to uncover the answers. This prepared us to build.
As the children's work became higher, more elaborate, and more independent, the teachers saw that accomplishments in physics was just the beginning.
Children are making a plan.
Children are working collaboratively to solve problems.
Children are listening as well as watching.
Children are predicting
Children are sharing different ideas towards achieving a goal.
Children are fine tuning there work.
Children are asking "Why doesn't this work?"
Children are enjoying challenges and not tiring, even after multiple failures.
Children are building strong partnerships through working together.
Children are encouraging and congratulating each other in their work.
Children are responding with awe and joy when, at long last, completing a successful marble run.
... the list goes on.
Think back to the 'Twenty Habits' document that was shared with you at the beginning of the school year (Click HERE for a reminder) The work of the children reminded me of this list, and I began to wonder just how many of these twenty habits were being used in this one work area. The answer? A full twenty out of twenty habits were being represented.
Frankly, this is truly hard work. And not just for preschoolers. This work would present real and frustrating challenges for much older children. Constructing a track which has the marble turning a corner alone, is something that takes an incredible amount of forethought, organization, and awareness.
Ramps and rollers were introduced to the Nest curriculum only last year. This group has impressed us with their ideas, persistence, and accomplishments, and touched us by their partnership with and encouragement of each other.
Please visit the block area in the Trees classroom on Monday morning for our final day of saved ramps and roller structures. You are invited to kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk.
