Investigating Motion With Marbles
Initial Publication Date: September 11, 2008
Summary
In this guided inquiry activity, students will use 2 marbles of different size and a box to investigate what makes the marbles move and what will cause the marbles to change speed and direction.
CollapseLearning Goals
This activity is designed to provide the opportunity to make and describe observations on when and how things move.
Concepts:
-Objects move when pushed or pulled.
-Objects will change speed and direction when in contact with another object.
-Force (how hard the marble is pushed) will affect how fast the marble moves (speed).
Vocabulary:
-Direction
-Speed
-Slow
-Fast
Other Skills:
-Questioning
-Observing
-Group Cooperation
Concepts:
-Objects move when pushed or pulled.
-Objects will change speed and direction when in contact with another object.
-Force (how hard the marble is pushed) will affect how fast the marble moves (speed).
Vocabulary:
-Direction
-Speed
-Slow
-Fast
Other Skills:
-Questioning
-Observing
-Group Cooperation
Context for Use
This activity is for 1st grade students, using a mini-lab experience.
Time: 45-55 min (could be used over a two day period)
Materials:
-2 marbles of different sizes per group
-One box per group
-1 piece of paper per child
-Pencil per child
-Chart paper or white board
-Skills needed prior to activity: Cooperative group skills
-Observation skills
-Recording skills
Time: 45-55 min (could be used over a two day period)
Materials:
-2 marbles of different sizes per group
-One box per group
-1 piece of paper per child
-Pencil per child
-Chart paper or white board
-Skills needed prior to activity: Cooperative group skills
-Observation skills
-Recording skills
Description and Teaching Materials
In this investigation, students will need 2 marbles of different sizes and a flat box. The teacher will guide the class in a pre-discussion on "motion." What is motion? What things have motion? How do we know something is in motion? Explain that through investigation, they will learn what makes objects move and they will watch for how fast or slow and what direction objects move.
Hand out the piece of paper to each student. Instruct them to fold the paper in ½ hamburger bun style. Explain they will be writing down what they see (observe) as well as drawing a picture representation of their observations. Split class into groups. Give each group the listed materials (marbles and box). Write this direction on the board, "Write down how the marbles move and in what direction. Find 2 ways marbles move when they bump into each other?"
Explain students can touch the marbles; however the marbles need to stay within the box. Again, remind them they will draw their findings-you will have explained how to draw circles to represent the marbles of different sizes and arrows to show the paths of travel. Students will then begin their investigation.
Approximately 20 minutes later, transition back to whole group/class discussion. Using chart paper, help students record their investigations, including drawing their outcome. Use questioning techniques to have the class answer the following questions: "How did the marbles begin to move?" What happened when the marbles bumped into each other?" "Do marbles change their speed and direction, if so how?" Guide the students to understand the larger marble will push the smaller one more. Be sure to develop the vocabulary (direction, fast, slow, speed) in the context of the discussion. Use your own questioning style to help the students learn that force has to be applied to an object to make it move and depending on the force, objects will move at varying speeds and direction. Probing questions will guide students in their understanding; however, allow the students to provide the explanation of the concepts.
Closure:
Once again, review the vocabulary learned. Ask how they could make an object move faster or slower? Do they think they could make the object stop? Explain that objects can move in many directions, sometimes fast or slow, depending on how they were pushed or pulled.
Hand out the piece of paper to each student. Instruct them to fold the paper in ½ hamburger bun style. Explain they will be writing down what they see (observe) as well as drawing a picture representation of their observations. Split class into groups. Give each group the listed materials (marbles and box). Write this direction on the board, "Write down how the marbles move and in what direction. Find 2 ways marbles move when they bump into each other?"
Explain students can touch the marbles; however the marbles need to stay within the box. Again, remind them they will draw their findings-you will have explained how to draw circles to represent the marbles of different sizes and arrows to show the paths of travel. Students will then begin their investigation.
Approximately 20 minutes later, transition back to whole group/class discussion. Using chart paper, help students record their investigations, including drawing their outcome. Use questioning techniques to have the class answer the following questions: "How did the marbles begin to move?" What happened when the marbles bumped into each other?" "Do marbles change their speed and direction, if so how?" Guide the students to understand the larger marble will push the smaller one more. Be sure to develop the vocabulary (direction, fast, slow, speed) in the context of the discussion. Use your own questioning style to help the students learn that force has to be applied to an object to make it move and depending on the force, objects will move at varying speeds and direction. Probing questions will guide students in their understanding; however, allow the students to provide the explanation of the concepts.
Closure:
Once again, review the vocabulary learned. Ask how they could make an object move faster or slower? Do they think they could make the object stop? Explain that objects can move in many directions, sometimes fast or slow, depending on how they were pushed or pulled.
Teaching Notes and Tips
A reminder that the intent of this activity is for students to investigate. Remind students to be safe with the marbles and the marbles need to stay within the box. Marbles should not be thrown inside the box but pushed.
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Assessment
Assess individual understanding by evaluating their observation list and drawing they were accountable for during the lab.
Standards
2.II.D. 1 The student will observe how objects move in various ways.
2.II.D.2 The student will observe that push and pull forces can make objects move.
2.II.D.2 The student will observe that push and pull forces can make objects move.