Activity 4: Testing the first levels of
the marble-slide machine |
Category: Construction / Mechanics |
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Target group 3 to 6-year old girls and boys in kindergarten |
Goals Become acquainted with the marble-slide machine. Handle the machine. Observe and describe the different levels and compare the actual
machine with the sketches of its construction design. Find technical explanations. |
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Where? Marble carpet in the group area. |
How long? Guided play for approx. 30 minutes, afterwards free play phase. |
What? Getting acquainted with prepared levels of the marble-slide machine. |
Preparation Install the
levels into the cabinet (marble-slide machine), they must be build in firmly
and childproof: push pull cable, hose, marble-slide elements. |
Steps The children describe the sketch and compare it with the marble-slide
machine. They try out the marble-slide machine. They explain the individual levels and how or why they work. They develop rules
for appropiately handling the machine. |
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Scientific explanation |
Possible variation : The children install the individual levels directly after the
respective activities into the machine, if possible without help. This
requires considerable technical skills and craftsmanship, since the machine
needs to be stable and childproof. |
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Note! |
Source |
By exact observation and due to experiences from previous activities the
children were able to handle the machine quickly. The technical explanations,
e.g.: "The marble rolls uphill if its got enough momentum" were not
difficult for the children. Due to small problems, like congestions on the
slide or clogged thresholds, the children developed rules for appropriately
handling their machine. The children, girls as well as boys, were very proud of
their machine and handled it with care and attention.
To activity 5