"How Can We Stop That Marble?"

Exploring Movement with Marbles and Tubes
The children have been exploring different ways to stop the balls and marbles that have been rolling away down the ramps and tubes.  This was a problem for the children and we decided to find a way to fix it.  The children initially tried stopping the marbles with their own body - trying to reach for it as it rolled down and others tried to use their feet, but typically were not in time to make contact.  

We explored two different tubes - solid ones and a few with holes in it.  The children did discover a few ways to stop the ball or marbles.  Some of them used a basket to catch it, but then discovered that it didn't come out of the tube unless he picked up the tube - so then he couldn't see the movement of the ball.  In the tube with holes, the children were provoked by adding thin wooden dowels to play.  They quickly discovered that they could fit the dowels in the tubes.  This sparked their interest and took their focus.  A teacher then asked, 

"What would happen if you put a marble in there now?" 

Then children tried it, but the marble passed through. So, they continued to add more and more dowels to the tubes.  Some of the children were able to catch the marble, and others were not able to close all the gaps.    

 "The marble is still falling through!"                                                   "Where is it? I can't see it."

"Maybe if we put all these sticks in, it will stop the marble.  It has to be a lot."

 We will continue to develop ways to change and stop movement.  The children are strengthening problem solving skills, developing teamwork, and language ability.  Throughout these investigations, the children are also exploring the ideas of trial and error.  

Constructing Animal Houses...Our Beginning Thinking...

The children began using the large wooden blocks outside – the teachers provided animals to provoke their thinking when using both of these materials together.  The children quickly focused on building homes for animals.  They took all the blocks and made it into a stage like structures.  The blocks are hollow, so they used that characteristics to act as the inside of the house.  Charlotte offered the idea that the top of the blocks were the “roof top”.  Rayan and Charlotte exchanged ideas and compromised on most.  When they used all the blocks, they began putting all the animals inside and putting them fall inside.  Charlotte said they would be safe inside there.  

 “We need to make a roof top.” – Charlotte

It’s big.  This one goes here.  For the animals.”      -Rayan

 “We have to push them all the way in so they cannot get out.”     -Charlotte

“They go inside.”

– Ryan R.

We are going to continue to explore the different environment animals live in - we will look at the different characteristics and create a deeper understanding of what they need to survive.  The children will continue to strengthen their language, cooperative play skills, and problem solving skills throughout this exploration.