Ramping Up

Episode   62                                                                          Planet: Stuff

Learning concept of the episode: It is easier to push an object up a gradual slope than a steep one.

Story Summary

Bing and Bong encounter a Flocker pushing a huge ball towards a ramp and join in to help. The ramp has two sides, steep and gradual. With the assistance of other Flockers, the group try to push the ball up the steep ramp, to no avail. A number of different attempts fail before Bong has the idea to push the ball up the gradual ramp instead. The group easily pushes the ball to the top… and then watches it roll down the other side. As the ball goes rolling away, Bing and Bong see… It’s a giant game of Flocker bowling!

Focus Early Learning Goal

Physical Development 2: Move with control and co-ordination.

Linked ELGs

CLL2, CLL10, PSE8, KU7

Preparation

• Watch the Tiny Planets episode 
• Talk about what Bing and Bong did in the story.

Talk about…..

• Why was it difficult for the team at first?
• How did they solve the problem?
• Other ways they could have got the ball up the ramp?

Focus Activity

Ramp test

Follow-on Activities

• Go for a walk and choose a route with a steep hill. On return discuss journey.
• Look at ways and uses for slopes e.g. ski slope, chair lift, ski lift, skateboard ramp
• Have ramps in the construction area.

Ramp Test

Aim

For the children to test various objects and their ability to move them up a steep gradient

Resources

• A ramp or steep hill or slope
• Various items e.g. a large ball, a bike or peddle car etc
• stopwatch

Guidelines

• In small groups set the task of moving the items up the slope.
• Help them to think and try different ways
• Time and record each different way

Key Vocabulary

Slope, steep, difficult, physical, push

Health & Safety

Ensure the children are supervised and that the slope is not so steep that they can fall down it.