Continuing Measurement

Because it's so cold outside, we are limited to how long we can play outside. That being said, it gives us a chance to play in other spaces with other classes. Today, we had the opportunity to play with friends with Magnolia! 

E grabbed some of the smaller blue blocks varying different shapes. He began rolling the round one across the collaboratory floor, watching it roll past the other friends playing. He laughed as the round block wobbled around and took different turns rather than going straight. 

"It's rolling!"

E then a hexagon looking block. He set it up and gave it a push. Unfortunately, it did not have the same kind of effect the round one did. 

"It didn't work!"

He picked up the 'x' shaped block, set it up, and pushed that one too. 

"That won't work either!"

We returned from the collaboratory to E still talking about the blocks rolling. He wasn't sure why the round block rolled farther than the other blocks. How could we figure that out? We set up a little experiment. 

E & C got the same blocks E was using in the collaboratory. The boys took turns rolling each block down the hallway and beginning to measure using a measuring tape (E's great idea from yesterday!). 

The two boys worked together to try and measure the lengths of each block. They tried various ways of measuring including a ruler, a yard stick, and measuring tape. 

While testing each block, C realized something. 

"This kind of block doesn't roll that good because it has like all of these like star things going like this."

C ran is fingers over each of the points jetting out of the center of the block. 

"It looks like a star and doesn't really work like the circle one."

What an observation! 

This didn't deter the boys from measuring though. They were fascinated by how far the block would roll down the hallway. E & C would continuously measure with the measuring tape and making imaginary marks on the floor to mark where it stopped. 

Each boy traded off roles while measuring. They traded off holding the measuring tape while the other walked backwards; read the numbers on the measuring tape; and engaged in conversation about why the different blocks would or wouldn't roll. Their curiosity is infectious!