Activity 4:

Activity 4:

Testing the first levels of the marble-slide machine

Category:

Construction / Mechanics

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.

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.

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.

Note!

Source

Reflection

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