Day Five 9/18/19:

Review: I decided to try to limit the work area to see if by working in a smaller area that they might be able to make turns more easily. I was not allowed to place tape on the floor, so I used blocks to mark of an "imaginary wall' for our workspace. Unfortunately this did not work as well as expected, but it did keep them in the main hallway and away from classroom doors which was helpful.


The students worked within the space provided in one direction (not extending into the classroom doorways). However, the length of the track was still long with no curves.

The students started with a small portion and created a ramp. They tried several different combinations before they found one they liked.

They extended the ramp and added arches.

The students used a block at the end to stop the marble. They discovered that the block made the marble bounce and roll back on the track.

They tried something new by stacking the ramps.

One child was not with the group. He opened the door to a cabinet and found more baskets. He started pulling them out and the children asked if they could use them with the ramps. They made slight curves in the ramps and tested them to see if the marble could make the curve.

They tried the "Splash Mountain" approach using the Lincoln logs again.

Then they tested the marble to see if it would roll and stay on the track with the curves.

After making a few adjustments, they tried again with the marble several times.

They added arches and curves to "Splash Mountain".

After building a tall block structure, they decide to try one of the long ramps to make a "tall slide".

They tried the marble and discovered that it went very fast.

They tried starting the marble in various places on the ramp to see if it would roll more smoothly.

They tested this idea several times and ultimately straightened the curves... Again.

They continued to take turns with the marble and make adjustments as needed.