Measurement: Weight—Balancing with Four-foot Board

The varying skill levels in this project enable many children to participate and succeed.

Objectives

Children ages 4-5 can compare weights and estimate which is heavy and light Lang. IIA
Ages 3-4 can describe objects using weight Cog. I
ages 2-2 ½ can discriminate between big and little Cog. IIIB
ages 2 ½-4 can discriminate prepositions such as on, in, under, off, and above Lang. IA
and ages 1 year can imitate putting objects on and off board Cog. IIID

Materials

Several four-foot boards with fulcrums; assortment of standard unit blocks; cans of assorted foods; light and heavy boxes of dry food (noodles, bran’s, salt, sugar etc.); 1 lb. boxes of sugar cubes, books, stones, shoes, sand; containers for sand (cans)

 

Procedures

1. Group children in twos or threes (or only one child may work best) and give each group one board with fulcrum.

2. Have the assorted materials arranged in the center on the floor.

3. Begin by asking if the board reminds them of anything ...seesaw? Ramp for cars? Encourage the children to handle the equipment in their own ways. Give them a period of play with the board and fulcrum and whatever materials they may choose.

4. Offer helpful suggestions and questions to guide their investigations. "Can you balance the board without things? (By moving the fulcrum around) Can you balance the board with things?" Children tend to like to load the board with blocks and construct height towers—to keep board steady, prop it up from underneath, then take away the props and watch everything crash. "Is it possible to load the board and keep both ends off the floor without using props?

Can different objects be alike in weight? Can you balance thing s that are different? Can a sugar lump make a difference? How about a piece of paper?

How many ways can you tip the board? What happens if you move an object on the board? Add something/take something away? Once you've tipped it, can you make it even again?