Sledding
This favorite wintry weather activity also makes for a great lesson in physical science. Time to bundle up and hit the hills! Each of these activities meets a variety of state and national standards for technology and core subject areas.
Grades K-2
Discuss with students basic ideas about velocity, explaining that it means both an object’s speed and direction. A change in velocity is called acceleration. Explain that a sled moving down a hill has velocity. As a class, brainstorm things that would change a sled’s velocity. Then have students use Graphics software to draw a picture that illustrates them sledding. The picture should include a cross-section of a hill and a sled with them on it. Students should also use a text tool to write a sentence about sledding. As a class, discuss the pictures. How steep is the hill in the picture? What does the bottom of the sled look like? How do those things affect velocity?
EasyTech units: Beginning Graphics
Grades 3-5
As a class, discuss how sledding illustrates physical science principles such as velocity, acceleration, and friction. Ask students what they think makes sleds go faster or slower. Then have them test their theories. Students should construct a “hill” out of a piece of wood with one end elevated. Have students work in groups to test the speed with which different objects (a wooden block, a small plastic Frisbee, etc.), slide down the hill when it is covered with different types of surfaces (thin cloth, fluffy fabric, poster board, etc.). Assign each group a different angle to place their board at. Students should time each “sled” going down each “hill” surface and should record the results using Spreadsheet software. Also, have groups create graphs to illustrate their results and to share with the class. As a class, discuss the results. What causes the fastest and slowest speeds? What accounts for the changes in velocity?
EasyTech units: Spreadsheet Basics, Graphing in Spreadsheets
Grades 6-8
Have students use the Web to research the history of sleds, from their use as a tool to move goods to their current use as a recreational tool. Then have students create work in groups to create a Web site that illustrates the history of sledding. The site should include images, information, links to other sites, and a section on sledding safety. Have students add a “Sledding blog” (real or mock, depending on your Acceptable Use Policies) where students can discuss their fun sledding adventures.
EasyTech units: Web Browsing, Basic HTML, Communicating Online
