Lesson: Steeper and Steeper

Experiences The children explored what happened to a rolling object when the steepness of a ramp was increased. They were able to compare the distances at which similar objects rolled down ramps, which were two different heights. The students were read a book about inclined plans in the world around them. They were able to explore their school environment and discover what inclined planes they have inside their school as well as on their playground. The students were encouraged to explore the difference between rolling and sliding. A variety of materials were provided and they were to determine how that object would move down the ramp based on evidence and experimentation. The children felt the different surfaces. They discussed how each one felt and it what ways they were different.

Knowledge The children had previous exposure to the concept of inclined plans and how objects roll down a ramp.

Questions The students wanted to know what would happen to an object when it rolls off of a steeper ramp. Will the object move faster? Will the object roll further? The students wanted to discover if they made correct predictions to the following questions. The students were eager to discover what inclined planes they had at their school. They also wanted to determine how they could categorize the ramps based on their use and purpose in their school. The students were to discover why certain objects rolled and why others slid. They asked questions about the characteristics of specific objects and used those discussions to determine how objects would move down the ramp. They also categorized the objects into rolling and sliding groups. The students wanted to determine which surfaces allowed the objects to roll or slide down further down the ramp. The students also wanted to determine why specific surfaces caused the objects to function the way that they did down the ramps.

Ramps All Around

Roll and Slide

The students have seen and experienced inclined planes previous to this lesson. Upon discussion, I was able to conclude that each student had been exposed to objects such as slides and/or wheelchair ramps thus far in their lives. In previous lessons the students were exposed to objects moving down a ramp. They are familiar with the concept that the incline of a plane drives an object down it.

Ramps with Different Surfaces

Previous to this lesson, the children had knowledge of objects rolling and sliding down ramps. They also had exposure to the movement of objects traveling down ramps at different heights.