Pendulums

After a rousing success with our single, wrecking-ball type pendulum in the block center (See the previous post titled "Energy, Light and Motion" for more information and photos), we looked into a pendulum set.

We made observations and predictions about this picture of the pendulums before we watched the video.
"I notice that all the balls are white and they all have strings."
"I notice they're hanging from a thing."
"I notice that some strings are small and some are long."
"I think the balls will hit each other."

Here is a link to the video we watched on pendulum waves. This video was very interesting to the kids and got them thinking; can we make one of those? What would we need? How would we make it?

We looked a little closer at the picture.

We started a list.

We had some interesting answers when Mrs. Scapellati asked, "How are we going to get these things?"
It's a good thing we have string, tape, glue and tools in the classrooms already; I'm not sure what store to go to to buy money.


Update 6.22.2015
We began looking at and touching the materials to build the frame and pendulums. We discussed ways to construct it and how to keep it all together. We are continuing this over the week, check back on Friday for more!

Update 6.25.2015
We started construction of the pendulum set today. Over the last three days, students planned and experimented with how to put the materials together to create the pendulum set. Today we measured, sawed, drilled and glued. We learned how to use a power drill and what hook eyes were.

Some thing the students noticed and said about our materials:
"We have to make the frame first, or the balls won't hang."
"The screws have a twisty bottom to go into the balls"
"The pendulums won't be tall enough if we use the wood like this."
"The wood has a crack here, we should put glue in it."

Update 6.26.2015
We finished our construction today; gluing, hammering, measuring, tying, and drilling. After waiting all day for the glue to (mostly) dry, we were able to tie the strings on the balls and hang them.

The consensus: the pendulum doesn't work exactly like it did in the video, but it's crazy fun to play with and make! And THAT is all that matters to us!

To find all of our pictures, click here. (Newest pictures added at the bottom)




Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards in focus for this project:

Cognition: Curiosity and Initiative; Engagement with Environment, People and Objects; Eagerness to Learn; Cooperation with Peers in Learning Experiences; Cause and Effect; Problem Solving; Choosing and Planning; Cognitive Flexibility;

Personal and Social Development: Adult Relationships; Play/Friendship; Conflict Resolution

Physical Development and Health: Visual Motor Integration; Small Muscle Movement and Coordination

Early Language, Communication, and Literacy: Word Comprehension; Language Comprehension; Vocabulary; Expression of Ideas, Feelings and Needs; Conventions of Conversation; Language for Interaction; Drawing and Writing

Early Scientific Inquiry: Questioning and Defining Problems; Using Evidence; Design Cycle; Energy, Force and Motion; Matter and Its Properties

Social Studies: Individuals, Groups and Institutions; Production, Distribution and Consumption