K2L16 Balancing Magic

Lesson Duration: 45 minutes

Grade: K2

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Children will be able to understand that gravity pulls objects down
• Children will be able to create a balanced stick structure using simple materials
• Children will be able to explain how weight distribution affects balance

Materials Needed:

• Craft sticks
• Thick popsicle sticks (as base)
• Pipe cleaners (various colours)
• Clothespins
• Markers/crayons
• "Professor Balance" puppet
• Balance beam pictures
• Sample balanced stick model

Lesson Procedure

### 3 mins - Welcome Time
• Sing the "Hello Song"
• Meet "Professor Balance" puppet
• Show balancing toys demonstration

### 7 mins - Discovery Chat
• Explore gravity concepts:
- Drop soft objects safely
- Feel feet on ground
- Watch objects fall
• Discuss balance:
- Balance beam pictures
- Tightrope walker toys
- Seesaw examples
• Practice balance poses:
- Stand on one foot
- Arms out like airplane
- Tip-toe walking

### 10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 1: Make It Balance
• Demonstrate materials:
- Show craft stick
- Show thick popsicle stick
- Show pipe cleaner/clothespins

• Guide construction:
1. Wrap pipe cleaner on stick
2. Add clothespins
3. Test balance points

• Support experimentation with guiding questions:
- Adjust weight positions:
"Let's play detective! If your stick tips to the right, where should we move the clothespin? Should we move it closer or farther?"
"Watch what happens when I move this clothespin... What do you think will happen if you try?"

- Try different spots:
"Can we make our stick dance? Let's try balancing it here... now here... Which spot works better?"
"Oops, it fell! That's okay - scientists learn by trying. Where else could we try?"

### 10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 2: Balance Show and Tell
• Try these scenarios:
1. "Perfectly Balanced":
- Put clothespins at equal distances
- Observe what happens
- Ask: "Why does it stay straight?"

2. "Tilting Tower":
- Move one clothespin closer to centre
- Watch the tilt
- Ask: "Which side is heavier now?"

3. "Balance Challenge":
- Remove one clothespin
- Try to balance with uneven weights
- Ask: "How can we make it balance again?"

### 12 mins - Hands-On Challenge 3: Design Your Balance Buddy
• Create characters:
- Draw faces on sticks
- Name your character
- Add personality details

• Personalize design:
"Let's make your Balance Buddy special!"
- Choose pipe cleaner colours
- Decorate clothespin feet
- Add small details (hair, smile, etc.)

• Test and Play:
"Balance Buddy Party":
- Introduce your buddy to friends
- Tell its name and special features
- Show favourite balancing trick
- Try balancing buddies together

### 3 mins - Wrap-Up
• Review learning points
• Share favourite Balance Buddy tricks
• Sing "Goodbye Song":

Reference

## Teacher Reference Note:
Key concepts to explain in child-friendly language:
- Gravity pulls everything down to the ground
- Centre of gravity is where an object's weight is balanced
- Adding weights can change how things balance
Keep explanations simple and demonstrate concepts through hands-on activities rather than abstract explanations.

## Teacher Note:
- Remember, your enthusiasm is infectious! Bring energy and joy to the lesson.
- Be patient and offer guidance warmly to our young learners – they look up to you.
- Safety comes first, so keep a watchful eye as they handle their experiment tools.
- Encourage every attempt, celebrate every discovery, and nurture their growing minds.
- You're not just teaching; you're inspiring future scientists. Your support means the world to them.

## Reference link for teachers:

https://handsonaswegrow.com/balancing-sidekick-gravity-experiment-activity-for-kids/

https://www.rookieparenting.com/can-you-balance-a-craft-stick-on-a-chopstick-science-experiment/

## References for exploration:

PowerPoint Presentation

### Opening Slides as usual (Welcome Time - 3 mins)

### Discovery Chat Slides (7 mins)
#### Slide 1: Welcome to Balance World!
• Title animation: "Let's Learn About Balance!"
• Fun image: Professor Balance puppet waving

#### Slide 2: What is Gravity?
• Simple text: "Gravity pulls everything DOWN!"
• Visual: Arrow pointing down
• Teacher Demo: "Watch what happens when I drop this soft ball..."
• Student Action: Everyone stands up and jumps gently

#### Slide 3: Finding Gravity
• Text: "Where can we feel gravity?"
• Interactive Points:
- "Feel your feet pressing on the floor"
- "Put your hands on your head and feel them go down"
- "Drop a paper and watch it fall"
• Student Action: Try each action together

#### Slide 4: Balance in Nature
• Text: "Animals Need Balance!"
• Images:
- Bird on branch
- Cat walking on fence
- Monkey on tree
• Question: "How do they stay up there?"

#### Slide 5: People Who Balance
• Text: "Balance Heroes!"
• Images:
- Tightrope walker
- Ballet dancer
- Skateboard rider
• Question: "What helps them balance?"

#### Slide 6: Let's Try Balance!
• Text: "Can You Balance Like This?"
• Simple balance poses:
1. "Stand tall like a tree" (two feet)
2. "Be a flamingo" (one foot)
3. "Airplane arms" (arms out)
• Student Action: Try each pose

#### Slide 7: Balance Problems
• Text: "What Makes Things Fall?"
• Visual: Tilted tower of blocks
• Demo: Teacher shows unbalanced stick
• Question: "Why does it fall?"

#### Slide 8: Balance Solutions
• Text: "How Can We Fix It?"
• Visual: Balanced seesaw
• Key Points:
- "Same weight on both sides"
- "Strong base at bottom"
- "Stay still and steady"

#### Slide 9: Today's Challenge
• Text: "We Will Make Something Balance!"
• Show materials:
- Craft stick
- Thick popsicle stick
- Pipe cleaners
- Clothespins
• Question: "Can we make it stand?"

### Hands-On Challenge 1 Slides (10 mins)

#### Slide 10: Let's Make It Balance!
• Materials needed (pictures):
- Craft stick
- Thick popsicle stick
- Pipe cleaners
- Clothespins

#### Slide 11: Step-by-Step Guide
• Simple numbered steps with pictures:
1. "Wrap pipe cleaner here"
2. "Add clothespins"
3. "Find balance point"

#### Slide 12: Detective Work!
• Text: "If it tips..."
• Interactive troubleshooting guide:
- "Tips right → Move left"
- "Tips left → Move right"
- "Falls forward → Move back"

### Hands-On Challenge 2 Slides (10 mins)

#### Slide 13: Balance Experiments
• Title: "Let's Try Different Ways!"
• Visual: Three experiment setups

#### Slide 14: Experiment 1 - Perfect Balance
• "Equal Distance Challenge"
• Visual: Balanced stick diagram
• Question: "Why does it stay straight?"

#### Slide 15: Experiment 2 - Tilting Tower
• "Make It Lean!"
• Visual: Tilted stick diagram
• Question: "Which side feels heavier?"

#### Slide 16: Experiment 3 - One Weight Wonder
• "Balance with One Weight"
• Visual: Single weight diagram
• Question: "How can we make it work?"

### Hands-On Challenge 3 Slides (12 mins)

#### Slide 17: Design Your Balance Buddy
• "Make Your Stick Special!"
• Sample faces and decorations
• Creative inspiration pictures

#### Slide 18: Balance Buddy Features
• "Give Your Buddy:"
- A happy face
- Colorful arms
- Special feet
- A fun name

#### Slide 19: Balance Buddy Adventures
• "Where Can Your Buddy Balance?"
• Pictures of different spots to try:
- Table edge
- Chair back
- Book stack

#### Slide 20: Balance Buddy Party
• "Share Time!"
• Questions to answer:
- "What's your buddy's name?"
- "What's their favorite trick?"
- "Where do they like to balance?"

### Wrap-Up Slides (3 mins)

#### Slide 21: What Did We Learn?
• Quick picture review:
- Gravity pulls down
- Balance needs equal weight
- Different balance spots

#### Slide 22: Balance Song
• Lyrics with actions:
"Left and right, make it right
Up and down, touch the ground
Find the spot where it won't fall
Now we've learned it all!"