Pre-K kids love exploring with ramps! I’ve posted other science activities here before involving ramps. We’ve explored ramps in our science center and we’ve experimented with ramps in small group, which you can find on the Transportation Theme page.
Last week, I set up this ramp experiment as an independent small group activity. In my classroom, the class is divided into four small groups; two groups work with a teacher and two groups work independently.
I set up the table with one of the triangle-shaped large hollow blocks from the Block Center to use as a ramp. In a tray, I put several objects for the children to test on the ramp: some that would go down the ramp and some that would not. I just collected some random objects from around the classroom, but this is what I had:
- dinosaur
- bear counter
- seashell
- wooden cube
- rock
- metal nut
- rectangle block
- round block
- truck
- train
- marker cap (two different shapes of caps)
- plastic bingo chip
- plastic Easter egg
- marble
- lid from a glitter jar
It was interesting that some groups of children said the lid would not roll down because they laid it flat on the ramp, while other groups discovered how to roll it down. Then, one group of children even forced some objects down the ramp by hitting the table with their fists and moving them with the vibration (not really what you’d call “rolling”, but pretty smart problem-solving none-the-less).
Each child had a recording sheet to draw the objects that rolled down the ramp and the objects that didn’t. Yes, I always have kids who balk when asked to draw. I just shrug my shoulders and say “do the best you can”. Also, I told them they only had to draw one thing on each side of the paper, but every child really got so involved in the activity that they drew more than I asked (to the best of their ability). When you do this activity, be sure to include some simple-to-draw objects, for example, the rock, marble, egg, block, etc. (By the way, I folded the recording sheet in half, so there was a line (crease) divided the two sides.)
Download: Ramp Recording Sheet
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Such a simple experiment…not too much prep…I love these! Thanks!
Thanks, Kathy!
thank your i found this activity very helpful!!
How exciting for my little ones. Thank you so much.
Hi!
I just want to tell you i’ m very happy with
This activity,i will go to do this.
I’m from Chile and my english maybe
Is not good, but i hope you understend me
Thanks for beautiful ideas
Claudia
Hello,
Last week,we had Science Fair at school Calder Elem. We at home had fun trying and seeing the joy and light in Malachi’s eyes was wonderful. He explored some of your ideas which were awesome !Thank You !Well he decided on Rainbow bubbles. He won 1st place Ribbon and a t-shirt .He was so happy and myself ,excited for Malachi. Learning, is fun he said. Again , thanks for making it detailed,simple, as well fun. Sincerly,
Mrs.Bazor
I loved this one…its so simple and interesting…i am sure my children would love this…
Great simple idea! Thanks!
very nice experiment I’m thankful for posting it to me
So simple and yet so interesting and effective. At the moment learning to identify 3-D shapes, so it will be interesting for them to experiment what can roll and what can slide. Many thanks and well done!
Awesome center!
Great! Would you reccomend this activity for 3 year olds? Seems engaging…
Cannot wait to try this with my preschoolers! Thanks so much!
Karen Boa Noite!
Obrigada pelo seu carinho e dedicação ao pequenos,
moro no Brasil e estou adorando conhecer novas culturas
e o seu material e fantástico.
Beijos e parabéns
Maricleide
That is good idea. Thank you Karen. I will try to do it with my students as soon as possible.
Thanks a million,I love this
Thanks a million,I love this.certain to use this with kids
Very interesting activity
Great center for learning!
This is wonderful, Karen! I will definitely use it in class. Many thanks, Julie!
Karen, I love all of your ideas. I am glad you posted your science lessons because that is an area that is quite difficult for me sometimes. Thanks for all of this GREAT information!
Thanks Dear. Awesome engaging activities and lul scientists will have a blast .
I work with pres-school age. This will use this on my lesson plan, be a very interesting opportunity for the children get challenge with this activity, and demonstrate the the logical of thinking.
Thank you
This is awesome!!! Thank you SO much, just what I needed for small groups.
Wonderful ideas!!! Thank you for sharing.
Fantastic idea. Some children in my 4 yo kinder group have been building vehicles with a construction set and have enjoyed using the slide in our playground as a ramp to drive them down – I wanted to find some experiences that can extend this interest into some further learning and inquiry and this one definitely fits the bill – thank you for sharing 🙂