Ramps, Levels, and

Pathways
Science in a Learning Area
ECD 133
Summer 2015
Marina Natalia Santos

Science Concepts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Ramps connect a high and a low place.

Ramps make it easier to move things up or down.
Circular or rounded objects roll down the ramp.
Objects with flat bottom surfaces will not roll down the ramp unless acted upon by a force.
A ramp is a simple machine that helps make tasks easier.
Ramps make it easier to push or move against gravity.
Objects can be moved and manipulated to make an object go where you want it to go.
Pathways help us or something get from one place to another. They make connections.
Objects dropped from different levels will eventually end up on the floor unless acted on by or
interfered with by another force.
10.Objects let go from different levels move at different speeds.

Science Process Skills

Rolling- moving objects down the ramps
Problem Solving-manipulating pieces and trying out various ideas in order
to create successes
Creating-manipulating and using various materials to create ramps and
pathways
Manipulating-moving pieces to gain desired results, met a goal, or test out a
prediction
Sorting-classifying and organizing photographs by characteristics and
purpose

Science Process Skills

Observing-watching their creations and testing out if predictions and
creations support their theories
Comparing and Contrasting-items by characteristics
Communicating-sharing ideas and suggestions with others such as what does
or does not work or suggestions on how to adapt or change something
Predicting-using previous knowledge to make guestimations as to what will
happen when they do something
Measuring-using tools (sometimes unconventional) to evaluate and gather
data about investigations and explorations

Vocabulary
Ramp- a flat surface that connects a high place with a low place (like a
slide you climb up to get to the high place and slide down to the bottom
to get to the low place)
Pathway- something that gets you from one place to another (the
sidewalk is a pathway that gets you from one side of the playground to
another)
Level- different heights (something can be really high and close to the
sky, or really low and close to the ground, or in the middle like your
belly button)

Vocabulary
Motion- moving (when we walk we are moving or when the clock hand
spins around that is moving)
Speed(s)- how fast, medium, or slow something moves (race cars
move really fast, people move medium, and turtles move very slow)
Space- an area, can be big or small (the room is our classroom space,
the playground is the outside space, your nap mat is your sleep space)
Tool- something that helps you do something (a crayon helps you draw
and blocks help you build, ramps help you move things)

Vocabulary
Creation- to make something
Angle- the way something points
Force- something that changes the movement of something (you
kick a ball to make it move, you push your arms off the slide to
move down)
Prediction- what you think will happen
Representation- showing what you did (draw a picture, physically
act out, make)

Materials

Pool Noodle Pieces

The children can use the pieces to build
their ramps. Noodle pieces can be whole
and in various sizes and halved in various
sizes.

Bamboo Rods
The children can use these pieces to
create their ramps and pathways. The
rods can be whole, halved, split down the
middle and in various sizes.

Cardboard Tubes
The children can use the pieces to build
their ramps. Tube pieces can be whole and
in various sizes and halved in various sizes.

Wooden Planks
These planks can be used to create ramps.
The children can also line them up to walk
along or move objects along as different
pathway formations.

Fabric Dowel Ramps

The children can use these ramps to
experiment with what will and will not roll
and as a foundation for various aspects of
ramp exploration.

PVC Pipe Pieces

The children can use these pieces to
create various pathways.

Fastener Materials: Twist

Ties, Zip Ties, String,
Tape
The children can use these fastener
materials to secure their ramps and
pathways to various surfaces and on
various levels.

Blankets, Bed Sheets,

and Fabric Scraps
The children can use these materials to
create unique ramps.

Magnetic Pathway Roll

Wall
The children can use this wall to
experiment with different placements,
angles, and levels of ramp placement to
allow a small circular object (like a
marble) to get to the bottom cup.

Magnetic Manipulative
Pieces
These pieces can compose of water
bottles and cardboard tubes with various
holes in them, popsicle sticks stacked and
glued together, and small pool noodle
pieces all with magnetic dots on the back.
The children can use these pieces on the
roll wall to create ramp pathways.

Balls of Various Sizes

Balls can be used to test out the ramp
and/or push or pull (guide) along various
pathways.

Miscellaneous Round/Rolly
Items
(marbles, pompoms, beads, rocks, straws, Easter eggs)

These items can be used for the children to

use on their ramps and pathways. The children
can experiment with speed and distance while
rolling these items down their ramps.

Basket of Items that

Will and Will Not Roll
The children can use these items to
problem solve and collect data as to what
will work on a ramp and what will not.
These items should be random and
conventional and non-conventional.

Measuring Tools

(tapes, rules, and/or yard sticks)

These measuring tools can be used in the

construction of the ramps and pathways.
The children can measure out what they
are constructing. Also, the measuring
tools can be used to aid in data collection.

Duct Tape
The duct tape can be used to create line
pathways. They can also use the tape to
secure their ramps and hold them into
various paths and positions.

Ramp, Level, and

Pathway Images
These images can serve as inspiration for the
children and their ramp and pathway
creations. They can use the pictures as guides
or ideas for what they are going to create.

Cars and Trucks

The children can uses these cars to ride
and roll along the pathways and up and
down the ramps. They can use these
trucks and cars to experiment and play
with speed and length/distance.

Blocks
Blocks can be used to help create various
levels for the ramps to rest on. They can
also be used to create pathways and the
ramps themselves.

Books
Books can be used for the children to gain
more information about the topic and use
pictures as examples or guides. The books
can also be used to stack to help make the
ramps.

Science Journals/ Recording

Charts and Graphs
This journal and these charts and graphs
can be used for the children to record
data and observations about their ramp
and pathway exploration. They can draw
images about what they created and make
notes and such as to what does and does
not work.

Books

Roll, Slope, and Slide: A

Book About Ramps
Author: Michael Dahl
Summary: This is a book about natural and man-made
ramps in the environment. The book provides simple
descriptions about the ramps (what and where they are,
what they are used for, purposes, characteristics). This
book also has ramp project suggestions in the back.
Potential: This book can be used with young children to discuss ramps. You and the children can discuss the pictures
(and words) and use the book as a guide for play and exploration. The children can use the images in their dramatic
play and creation of their own ramps. This book can also be used to create ramp lesson plans.
Purpose: Investigating ramps and their purpose and goals.

Useful Machines: Ramps

and Wedges
Author: Chris Oxlade
Summary: This is a book about ramps and wedges and the jobs they are used for and places they are located.
This book uses real life photographs to depict many different types of ramps in wedges in the environment.
Potential: The children can use this book as a guide for their play. They can use the book to help form their
knowledge and background information about ramps. The can use the book also to guide their play and for
examples of what type of ramp they want to build, where they want to build it, what they build it with, and why.
Purpose: Investigating and gathering information about ramps, what they are, where they are located, and
using the book to gain info for the ramp learning.

How Toys Work:

Ramps and Wedges
Author: Sian Smith
Summary: This is a book about ramps and wedges and the jobs they are used for and places they are located.
This book uses real life photographs to depict many different types of ramps in wedges in the environment.
Potential: The children can use this book as a guide for their play. They can use the book to help form their
knowledge and background information about ramps. The can use the book also to guide their play and as
examples of what type of ramp they want to build, where they want to build it, what they build it with, and
why.
Purpose: Investigating and gathering information about ramps, what they are, where they are located, and
using the book to gain info for the ramp learning.

Motion: Push and Pull,

Fast and Slow
Author: Darlene R. Stille
Summary: This is a childrens book about how things move and the forces that make things move and the
various ways that things move. This book also talks about the different speeds and distances that items
move.
Potential: This book can be used by the children during their ramp exploration pertaining to motion. The
children can use this book to inform and help them investigate what happens when they roll an object down a
ramp and different things that factor into that. The children can also learn about different things that
factor into the speed of objects like barriers and force.
Purpose: Guiding and informing children in their ramp exploration pertaining to motion, force, and speed.

And Everyone Shouted,

Pull! A First Look at
Force and Motion
Summary: This is a book about farm animals and their
trip to the market. The book discusses the tools they
use to get to and from the market and the different ways they initiate force and motion to complete their goal and
journey.
Potential: The children can use this book during their
ramp exploration to explore how they can manipulate objects to move how they want using various ways to cause
force.
Purpose: To inform children about the various ways people can put various forces on objects to manipulate how they
move.

Small Group
Activities

Outdoor Ramp Creation Station

Description: This is a small group activity for the children to create their own
ramps. The children will use a variety of materials to construct their own
unique ramps. These ramps will vary in texture, size, shape, function, and can
be used to achieve various goals. (Make things roll, discuss speed, motion,
gravity, levels, distance, length) During this activity the adult will engage
the children in problem solving, the inquiry cycle, and open-ended conversation
and discussion about their ramp creation, connections, and investigation.
Purpose: To problem solve and use various materials to create and explore
ramps in the outdoor environment.

Outdoor Ramp Creation Station

Materials: bamboo rods (halved, whole, and in pieced halved and whole) pool noodles (halved, whole, and pieces halved and whole),
wooden dowels (various sizes), wooden planks (various sizes), fabric pieces (various sizes), fabric ramps, towels, sheets/blankets,
blocks, books, plastic and rubber tubing, PVC pipe pieces, zip ties, twist ties, duct tape, balls of various sizes, shapes, and textures,
basket of items that will and will not roll, round objects, measuring tools (rulers/measuring tapes/yard sticks), paper/science
journal, crayons (for representation)
Standards:
The child(ren) will manipulate, connect, and use the pieces, utilizing as many or as few as they like, to create various ramps.
SI.5.2.3 Investigate, observe and describe or demonstrate various ways that objects can move and change. (DC)
The child(ren) will make predictions as to which materials will make the best ramps, pose questions about their exploration, and
physically use the materials to create ramps to test out their predictions.
SI.5.1.1 Ask questions, make predictions, and test their predictions. (DC)
The child(ren) will engage in open-ended questioning and conversation during their exploration with their peers and the adult to
communicate ideas about what does and does not work and ways to improve upon ideas.
SI.5.1.6 Communicate observations and findings through a variety of methods. (DC)

Will it Roll Down the Ramp?

Description: The children will use fabric dowel ramps to test out various items
to see if they will or will not roll. The children will start by sorting the items
to make predictions, test out their predictions on the ramp, and then document
their investigations through drawing representations. During this activity, the
adult will engage the children in problem solving, the inquiry cycle, and openended conversation and discussion about their rolling, predictions, connections,
and investigation.
Purpose: To investigate the properties and characteristics of objects, to test
out predictions, and to collect data.

Will it Roll Down the Ramp?

Materials: wooden dowel fabric ramps, cardboard tube, balls of various sizes and materials, foam circle, bath
poof, pom-pom, Easter egg, jingle bell, die, pinecone, rubber duck, paper circle, doh, sock, toothbrush,
newspaper, bucks and labels for sorting will/will not roll, paper/science journal, crayons (for representation)
Standards:
The child(ren) will sort the items into the categories will roll and will not roll to make their predictions. They will
engage in open-ended questioning and conversation about the materials and will ultimately test out their
predictions on the ramp.
SI.5.1.1 Ask questions, make predictions, and test their predictions. (DC)
The children will engage in open-ended questioning and reflection to gather their information and draw
conclusions about their investigations pertaining to their predictions about what did and did not roll. The
children will then use that info to make generalizations. They will also draw representations to support their
findings.
SI.5.1.5 Discuss and draw conclusions and form generalizations. (DC)
SI.5.1.6 Communicate observations and findings through a variety of methods. (DC)

Independent
Activities

Ramp, Level, Pathway

Image Card Sort
Description: This is a Montessori inspired independent activity for the
children to complete on their own. With this activity the children are to sort
various images into a chart. These images are of real-world man-made and
naturally occurring ramps, levels, and pathways. The children sort the images
into a picture guided chart. The chart and images also have colored dots on
them for self correction.
Purpose: To gain knowledge and engage in open-ended discussion about ramps,
levels, and pathways. This activity can be used to give the children
information about lessons pertaining to the physical creation of ramps, levels,
and pathways.

Ramp, Level, Pathway

Image Card Sort
Materials: 15 cards for sorting (5 ramp, 5 level, 5 pathway), a three column chart for sorting, colored dots on the back
for self-correcting (the dots will correspond with dot next to the word and the color of the word label.)
Standards:
The child(ren) will investigate and discuss the natural and man-made ramp, level, and pathway images to sort by
characteristics. Some things the children will be able to discuss are as follows: what the image is, what the image is
made of, where the image occurs, what the image is used for/it purpose
The child(ren) will make connections to classroom investigations, books, and previous knowledge in order to classify the
objects by the characteristics they can see.
PreK-PS1-2(MA). Investigate natural and human-made objects to describe, compare, sort and classify objects based
on observable physical characteristics, uses, and whether something is manufactured or occurs in nature.
PreK-PS1-3(MA). Differentiate between the properties of an object and those of the material of which it is made.
The child will pose questions about the images and propose various ideas about what and how the images can be used.
AL-4K-2.2- Demonstrate eagerness and interest as a learner by questioning and adding ideas.

Magnetic Roll Wall

Description: The children will use this magnetic roll wall, coupled
with various magnetic manipulative pieces, to create pathway ramps.
The children will manipulate the pieces on the wall to create various
ramp pathways that will allow for a marble or pompom to run along
and through the pathways into a target cup. The children can also
use image cards as guidelines for possible pathways.
Purpose: To manipulate various pieces, problem solving, to create
ramp pathways, that allow for a marble to roll into a target cup.

Magnetic Roll Wall

Materials: magnetic wall piece or a large cookie sheet, neodymium magnet circles, hot and gorilla glue (to secure magnets to the
manipulative pieces), pom-poms, marbles, paper/science journal, crayons (for representation)
Manipulative pieces-water bottles, cardboard tubes, popsicle sticks, pool noodle pieces
Standards:
The child(ren) will be able to manipulate the pieces in order to create various pathway ramps that will allow the marble to roll from the
top of the wall to the bottom and into a target/collection cup.
SI.5.2.3 Investigate, observe and describe or demonstrate various ways that objects can move and change.(DC)
The child(ren) will be able to see, test out, and explain that the pom-pom or marble move certain ways when you place the pieces
certain ways.
SI.5.1.2 Observe and describe cause and effect. (DC)
The child(ren) will be able to engage in open-ended questioning and discussion about how and why the pieces make the pom-pom or
marble move the way it does.
PreK-PS2-1(MA). Using evidence, discuss ideas about what is making something move the way it does and how some movements can be
controlled.(MA)

ELS Citations
1. Massachusetts Department of Education. (2003, April). Guidelines for preschool learning experiences.
Retrieved July 4, 2015, from
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs1/curriculum/20030401_preschool_early_learning_guidelines.pdf

2. Massachusetts Department of Education. (2013, December). Massachusetts science and

technology/engineering standards. Retrieved July 4, 2015, from
http://www.doe.mass.edu/stem/standards/FoundationBoxes.pdf

3. Office of the State Superintendent of Education: Washington, District of Columbia, & Washington,

D.C. State Board of Education. (2008, December 17). District of Columbia early learning standards for
pre-kindergarten. Retrieved July 3, 2015, from
http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/OSSE_PreKindergarte
n_v4_0.pdf

The End