Wee Steamers: Let’s Go Sledding!
All aboard for a sled ride with early childhood educator, Sheila Kerwin! Young children are introduced to sleds, saucers, tubes, and toboggans and how they move. Download the poem, reading list, and activity page to further explore how snow, speed, and friction work together for wonderful winter play and learning.
CATEGORY:science and math |
GRADE LEVEL:early childhood |
DOWNLOADS:
ACTIVITIES:
Sled Lotto Game
Create a sled lotto game for your budding riders, using the sample in the photo. Your mini sledders will build math skills in matching and one-to-one correspondence. Making two sets of cards allows you to create a sled memory game as well!
Slide into STEAM with Ten on the Sled
Help your outdoor explorers develop math, science and engineering skills using this activity based on Kim Norman’s book, Ten on the Sled. Children will become familiar with weight, area, estimation, and prediction in this engaging activity. https://preschoolsteam.com/sliding-into-steam-fun-with-ten-on-the-sled
Cardboard Sled for Dramatic Play
Provide your mini scientists with materials for making their own sled to use in the classroom. Using large cardboard boxes, they’ll explore size, area, weight, and movement in a hands-on, engaging way. https://www.kindercare.com/content-hub/articles/2017/january/got-boxes-turn-your-living-room-into-a-mountain-lodge
Fast or Slow Sled?
Inspire your child's scientific thinking with hands-on fun! Using materials like coffee filters, plastic sheeting, and felt, kids predict which sled glides fastest down a “hill. Younger children can compare two options to build estimation skills. A fun way to learn about force, friction, and movement! https://stemactivitiesforkids.com/stem-challenge-fast-slow-sled/
Where Will My Sled Stop?
Your mini outdoor enthusiast will love predicting their sled’s stopping point in this active winter game! Once children have had experience riding sleds down gentle slopes, encourage them to make predictions and mark their estimations with colorful flags or stir sticks covered in colored tape. Activity modified from this site. https://thrivewithoutdoorlearning.com/a-sledding-curriculum-using-sleds-for-outdoor-learning/
CRAFT:
Doodle Lou's Ice Cube Sledding Activity
It's a race to the finish as children explore the speed of ice cubes sliding down a ramp. Have them make predictions as to which surface makes the ice cubes slide down faster sandpaper, waxed paper, or aluminum foil? Click the CRAFT tab to download free!
