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ALL IN THE BALANCE
(QuickPlan developed by Dawn Theelke-Thomas, CAISL, Lisbon, Portugal)
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OVERVIEW: The children's curiosity about balance is sparked as they read Mirette on the High Wire. In this activity, the children explore the concept of balance. They predict outcomes and draw conclusions. They experiment with a variety of materials to discover the importance of the center of gravity.
BOOKLINK: Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully, Scholastic, Inc., 1992. ISBN 0-590-47693-9
SCIENCE ACTIVITY LINK: The children will experiment with the force of gravity and learn more about the concept of center of gravity. They will attempt to make objects balance by experimenting with the addition of weight (mass) and the placement of that weight (mass). (Weight is a measure of the Earth's gravitational pull on an object. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. On the Earth's surface, these measures are the same. In this activity, weight is the preferred term.)
OBJECTIVE: The children will construct a model with weights placed in the appropriate places to allow the model to balance. They will explore with the amount of weight needed as well as with placement of the weight. They will be able to illustrate and explain why the model balances as it does.
SCIENCE PROCESSES AND CONTENT: Processes-predicting, observing, inferring, communicating, formulating, testing hypotheses, designing investigations, gathering information and formulating models. Content-The children will observe demonstrations on balance, make a hypothesis, design a plan and then work to test their ideas. Concepts of center of gravity, balance, force of gravity, and weight and mass will be explored and discussed.
NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS: Unifying Concepts and Processes, (1) Science as Inquiry, (2) Physical Science, (3) Life Science, (4) Earth and Space Science, (5) Science and Technology, (6) Science in Personal and Social Perspectives, (7) Science as a Human Endeavor
MATERIALS: Mirette on a High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully, a rope or cord approximately 40 inches (100cms) long, a string secured at either end to imovable structures that will serve as the high wire (for a class of 20, two or three separate lines work best.)
Investigation #1 a small cube of Styrofoam (2-3 inch square), one for each investigator large paper clips 10 inch pipe cleaners or flexible wire of similar length washers or nuts to use for weight
Investigation #2 symmetrical tag board figure with an inverted 'v' cut from the bottom of one foot (this is where the figure will balance on the high wire) 10 inch pipe cleaners or flexible wire of a similar length washers or nuts to use for weight scissors
PROCEDURE:
1. Read the book Mirette on a High Wire. After reading and discussions of Mirette's balance, the children will do several introductory activities and work through two investigations as they explore the concept of balance and discover the importance of the center of gravity. The first investigation involves making a Styrofoam cube balanced on their finger. The second investigation requires the same principles to be applied as the children work to make a tag board figure balance on a high wire.
2. Introduction: As the children watch, model balancing on two feet and then move to one foot. What happens to your body? Have various children stand on two feet and then try to balance on one foot. Have someone demonstrate standing on two feet with feet together; then stand with feet slightly apart. Lastly, move from two feet to balancing on one foot. Demonstrate what happens to the person's shoulders as their body shifts from two feet to one foot. Where is the largest body mass? How does it align with the supporting feet/foot? How does the position of this body mass change as the supporting feet/foot changes?Hold a rope in front of the demonstrator's chin and have the children notice where the rope falls when the person is on two feet. Notice how the body aligns and where the rope falls as the person shifts to one foot. * THE ROPE INDICATES THE CENTER OF GRAVITY AND IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS EXPLORATION.
3. Investigation #1, Design Technology Challenge: Using the styrofoam cube, design and construct an object that will balance on your finger. The paper clip should be pushed into the cube and should be the only part of the the object that comes into contact with your finger. Object should be limited to ONE cube and ONE large paper clip, with free access to washers/nuts for weights and pipe cleaners/wires.
4. Investigation #2, Design Technology Challenge: Using the tag board, design and construct a model figure that will balance on the high wire. The model must balance with the high wire in the 'v' cut in its foot. The model may not lay down or hang. The tag board figure must balance upright. Once again, allow children free access to washers/nuts and pipe cleaners/wires.5. Allow the children to process what they have learned and to make sense of their investigations. Let them complete a closure activity by explaining to someone else what they discovered. Ask them to produce a blueprint to illustrate what they did and what they discovered. Ask them to show why it balanced.
SAFETY: Children should handle all materials carefully.
RELATED BOOKS:
Starring Mirette and Bellini by Emily Arnold McCully, G.P.Putnam's Sons, 1997. ISBN 0-399-22636-2
The Science of Gravity by Neil Ardely, Dorling Kindersley, 1992. ISBN 0-15-200621-4
Gravity-Simple Experiments for Young Scientists by Larry White, The Millbrook Press, 1995.ISBN 0-7613-0089-9
Janice VanCleave's Gravity, John Wiley and Sons, 1993. ISBN 0-471-55050-7
Bet You Can't by Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, Avon Books, 1980. ISBN 0-380-54502-0
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