Bounce and Roll

What To Do

Activity Prep

• For older children only: print “Do All Things Bounce?” Observation Sheet (1 per child).

Introduction

Note: depending on how much time you have for the activities, you may want to shorten the introduction. The seriation activity and the “Make a Ball” rhyme are optional. Refer to the Wings of Discovery: Bounce and Roll Manual for discussion points and sample questions for all activities.

• Gather in a circle. 
• Begin by performing a brief finger play such as “Open Them, Shut Them” (page 9 of the Wings of Discovery-Bounce and Roll Manual). You could also ask the educator what method they use to gain the group’s attention.
• Go over the safety rules with the group before passing out any supplies. 
• Place the “Ball” and “Ball-Not” sorting mats on the floor in the centre of the circle. 
• Bring out the cloth bag with balls and toys inside.
  • Ask “how do you know if something is a ball?”.
• Let each child have a turn choosing an object from the bag and have them place it on the correct sorting mat. If time is short, hold up each shape instead of having each child pick one out of the bag.
  • Ask “how would you sort the balls?”.
• Place the seriation mat in the middle of the circle. Let the children sort the balls according to size using the seriation mat. 
• Read Play Ball!, a Wings of Discovery® storybook 

If you find the children’s interest waning, try getting them on their feet to do the actions to a song or a rhyme (such as “Make a Ball” on page 11 of the Wings of Discovery- Bounce and Roll Manual). Children often like to repeat a new song that they are learning so you may choose to repeat it.

Exploration 1: Where do Balls Roll Best?

• Gather in a circle and sit with legs stretched out in front in a “V” shape. Ask "how can we pass a ball to each other?".
• Using a large ball, children will roll the ball to each other. Make sure that everyone gets a turn to roll the ball. 
• Bring out the ramp, ask "What do you think will happen if we roll the balls on the ramp?".
• Roll a foam ball down the smooth ramp.
• Use a string to demonstrate how to measure the distance the ball rolled. 
• Introduce the different surfaces and talk about the types of materials (smooth floor, thick carpet, artificial grass). Pass around small samples of the carpet and artificial grass for the children to feel. 
• Have the children predict which surface the ball will go the farthest on.
• Roll the ball down each surface and use the string to measure the distance. 
• Cut the string and hang it in the appropriate place on the chart.
• Repeat this activity several times to ensure that they understand that the difference is not a result of chance rather the material of the ramp affects the distance the balls travel.
• Wrap up by asking a few questions about their observations, the effects of the different surfaces on how far the balls rolled and briefly introduce the concept of friction. 

If time permits or the group needs to refocus, you may choose to sing “The Balls Roll All Around” (found on page 14 of the Wings of Discovery- Bounce and Roll Manual) with the children, or say it as a rhyme. 

Exploration 2: Do All Balls Bounce?

• Using the large ball, ask “are there other ways to pass a ball besides rolling it?”. Hint: we can bounce the ball!
• Discuss the shape of the ball. Ask “do all balls bounce?”. 
• Bring out a football. Have the group make a prediction on whether the football will bounce and if so, what direction it will go. 
• Drop the football to show how it bounces. Repeat this multiple times so they see that it bounces in an unpredictable direction each time. 
• Discuss the differences in shape between the large ball and the football. 
• Hand out Observation Sheets to each child (if applicable). 
• Place the small table close to a wall and put the observation chart next to the table. 
• Bounce the balls on the table so that everyone can see. Put a piece of masking tape on the wall to mark the height from which the balls will be dropped. Height should be within reach of the children. 
• Mark the height of the bounce on the measuring chart using the appropriate ball photo. 
  • Depending on the size of the group and timing, you may want to select only 5-7 balls for this exploration, choosing the ‘best bouncer’, the ‘worst bouncer’ and a few in between.
  • Alternatively, if you have enough balls and enough time, give groups of 2-3 children a couple of balls to bounce. Ask "which of the balls bounced the highest and which one bounced the lowest?".
• Wrap up by asking about their observations and briefly introduce the concept of elasticity. 

If time permits or the group needs to refocus, you may choose to sing or rhyme “Bouncing Ball” (found on page 17 of the Wings of Discovery- Bounce and Roll Manual) with the children. 

Wrap-Up

• Discuss possible careers (ask what they would like to be when they grow up). 
• Read the “Play Ball!” Storybook (if omitted from the Introduction).