OForce and Motion: Ramps
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Vocabulary: Incline, Ramp, Roll, Slant, Slide, Descriptive Words (heavy, light, near, far, slow, fast, slower and slower, faster and faster), Comparative Words (closer, farther, slower, faster, slows down more, speeds up more)
Materials: Blocks, Objects that will roll or slide (marbles, blocks, balls, rocks, dominoes, plastic jars and lids, checkers, spools, toy cars, dice), Plank (heavy cardboard or game board)
Activity: Create a ramp, and push objects down it! Form a ramp by slanting a plank against a tower of blocks. Predict what objects will roll or slide, when placed a specific way. Cover ramp with different fabrics (smooth paper, felt, sand paper).
Measurement: Measure the height and length of the ramp. Measure how far an object travels past the ramp. Measure how long it takes an object to travel down the ramp.
Resource: Williams, R et al. (2010). Preschool Scientist, pgs. 78-79. (Buy on Amazon)
oBig Ideas from Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
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Properties of Matter: How does the shape or texture of an object affect how it moves down the ramp?
Force and Motion: How does the way you apply initial force to the object affect how it travels?
Earth Science: How does the texture of a natural ramp (hill made of soil, grass, sand) affect how an object moves down the ramp?
Characteristics of Organisms: How does body structure affect how some animals roll down a ramp? (web-toed salamander, pebble salamander, Wikipedia: Terrestrial Locomotion)
Tools and Measurement: How does the height, angle, or surface of the ramp affect the speed?
oAdditional Photos
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Ramp with Felt Surface
Ramp with Cardboard Surface
Ramp with Sand Paper Surface
Measure Height of Ramp
Ruler
