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Target group
Children of 3 to 6 years in kindergarten
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Goals
- handling the marble-slide
- observation of how a marbles roll
- construction of elements
for the slide
- experiments with angles
of inclination and slopes
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Where?
Group area / builders corner; marble carpet with different
possibilities for building and experimenting with elements of the
marble-slide and other materials.
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How long?
approx. 30 minutes, afterwards free experimenting in a free play
phase.
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What?
Set up different tracks by using elements of the marble-slide, hoses
and tubes.
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Preparation
Various materials that may be used as elements (tubes, hoses); tape,
wool, scissors
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Steps
- The project
Construction of a marble-slide machine is briefly presented.
- The children
build a marble-slide from well-known marble-slide elements.
- They slope one
section more steeply downwards and observe how the marbles behave.
- They build a
gradient upwards and observe if the marble rolls all the way up.
- They think of
possibilities to extend the slide and try these out.
- They collect
ideas for the use of the hoses and tubes and put them into practice together.
- They compare
their marble-slide elements with the construction sketch of the marble-slide
machine.
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Scientific explanation
The force of gravity makes a marble roll down a slope. A marble only
rolls uphill shorty and if it has gained enough momentum. The track may not
be interrupted, thresholds have to be smooth (without edges, gaps and
corners).
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Possible variation
Next the children may install the marble-slide elements and the hose
into the cabinet which will become the marble-slide machine. Craftsmanship is
required in order to screw the elements together or to drill holes into the
boards.
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