Ramps, Pathways & Balls: A Constructivist Endeavor in Physical Knowledge (#2-INDIVIDUAL WORK)

ACTIVITY: Only two of the three participants were in attendance today.  The students were given instructions to work independently.   The students were positioned on the floor opposite of each other with the box of materials between each of them.  They were allowed to observe the constructions of the other student but could not communicate with anyone other than me (the teacher).  The task was to (with only one ball drop) have the ball roll in one direction and then in another (left or right), consistently, using the materials (ramps, pathways, blocks, and balls) provided. 

REFLECTIONS: In order to keep track of my observations and effectively share my reflections, the students will be labeled as ALM, BCC, and CAC.  Both ALM and BCC made quick work of the materials and within ten to twelve minutes had completed the task assigned to them.  During the session, I noticed BCC observed ALM's construction, taking note of what her classmate was building and used what she observed to her advantage.  (BCC used her observations to help her construct knowledge.)  BCC did take a few minutes longer to complete the task than ALM.  ALM also used two balls to complete the task by placing the second ball at the directional turn so that when she dropped the first ball, it made contact with the second ball, stopped, and caused the second ball to move in the second direction.  BCC used one ball to move in both directions.

SURPRISES: ALM surprised me by using more than one ball to complete the task.  She appears to be the most creative and critical thinker of the group.  We shall see! 

NEXT STEPS: Tomorrow's tasks will propose an additional challenge for the students to motivate interest and extend thinking.