Katelyn Sheridan

Collections Project
Dr. An
3260-03

Overview of the project.

o What did your collection consist of? My collection consisted of different objects
that could roll.
o
How did you decide what to collect? My cooperating teacher and I
were teaching lessons for the students unit on Balance and Motion. Rolling
was one of the motions that were focused on within the unit and the objects the
students brought in could be used for experimentation.
o
How were the children involved in the decision? The children
picked their own objects and brought them from home. They were enjoying the
lessons on Balance and Motion so I thought doing my collections project on this
would link to their interest in the lesson.
o
What resources did you use for your own learning and for the
childrens learning? I used the students text book on Balance and Motion.
Their book is made by FOSS a research based science curriculum for grades
K-8. http://www.fossweb.com/what-is-foss
o How did you go about collecting artifacts or objects? The students
brought in objects from home that they thought would roll down a small
cardboard ramp. The students collected and brought in these objects before
we taught the lesson on rolling and experimented using an axle and two
wheels.
o
What science processes/skills did the children use in collecting?
Students used the skills of observing, comparing, and classifying the objects
they brought in. As a class we also predicted which objects might roll the
fastest or the farthest and then experimented with several different objects.

Summary of activities related to the collection.

Day 1:

1. The students observed, sorted and classified all of the toys/ objects that were
brought in. As a class we looked at the attributes of the objects (size, shape, etc)
specifically what about these objects that we thought would allow it to roll.
2. Next, as a class we predicted which objects would roll the fastest, or the
farthest off the cardboard ramp. The students sorted the objects based on our predictions.
Finally the students classified each of their categories of toys. Labeling one group of toys the
fastest and the other the farthest.

Day 2:
3. Have the students experiment and test out their predictions. Give each
student a small cardboard ramp and have him or her test the objects to see if they roll. For
each object they experiment with have them observe the speed at which the object rolled
and have them measure with a ruler how far from the ramp the object stopped rolling.

Discussion of childrens learning

o What did you want the children to learn from the activities? I wanted
the students to learn about the motion of rolling. More importantly I
wanted to teach them about predicting and experimentation.
o How did you determine what they learned? Include:
Children presented their objects to the class on the carpet on the
first day. While on the carpet they discussed and predicted. On
the second day all of the students received a ramp and were able
to test their predictions on the floor.
The students really enjoyed the collections project because it was
hands on and they were able to bring in their own toys/objects to
test. My 2nd grade class does not have science lessons every
week so when they do have science they always seem excited.
How the students constructed their cardboard ramp for day 2s experiment:

Reflection on the experience

o What did you learn about the children?I learned that the children
really enjoy lessons where they can experiment and get out of their seat.

If my cooperating teacher and I do have a science lesson planned for the

day it takes place at the end of the day and the students make their
excitement known by asking all day when it will be time for science. I
was surprised that the students were so well behaved during the
experimentation portion of the collections assignment because it was
probably the least structured part of the day. All of the students enjoyed
bringing in their own objects to test, by doing that and making their own
predictions the students felt like real scientists.
o What did you learn about what the children collected? By looking at
the students collected objects I found that many of the students had a
concept of what rolling was and what types of objects would be
appropriate to bring in. Many of the students brought in small bouncy
balls, some brought toy cars, and many of the girls brought in these
marble toys. I was impressed that some students even thought outside
the box and brought in objects like empty soda cans and water bottles. I
wasnt expecting them to bring in the cans or bottles because I thought
they would think of rolling and automatically link it to a ball or a cars
wheel.
o What worked? What was the value of the project? Everything
seemed to run smoothly. The value of the project was that the students
would be able to bring in everyday objects or toys and experiment with
the motion of rolling. This was a great little experiment for the students to
do, My cooperating teacher and I used it as a step toward having the
students write out a lab report (problem, hypothesis, procedure, and
results).
o What didnt work? What obstacles did you have to overcome? One
obstacle that I did encounter was time management. I only had a short
period each day to conduct this assignment. I felt that I had enough time
but I needed to watch the clock a little closer and transition into my
different activities at specific times (only allotting the students a certain
amount of time for each activity). Another obstacle I encountered was
classroom management on the 2nd day. The students were sprawled
across the room working in pairs, experimenting with the different
objects they brought in. The students were a little loud and excited and I
felt too much time was spent trying to get them to work a little quieter.
What would you do differently?
Something that I would have done differently would have been to have the students write
down their predictions before we experimented. When we start to write lab reports I want to
use this collections assignment as my example to teach them and have them practice with.