Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand basic concepts of Earth Science related to marbles.

Materials and Prep

• A collection of marbles
• A clear glass jar or container
• A small bowl of water
• A small tray or plate
• A small towel or cloth
• A notebook and pencil

No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.

Activities

• Activity 1: Marble Observation

Have the student examine different marbles using their senses. Encourage them to describe the colors, patterns, sizes, and textures of the marbles.

• Activity 2: Marble Sink or Float

Fill the clear glass jar or container with water and place it on the tray or plate. Ask the student to predict whether each marble will sink or float and then test their predictions by placing the marbles in the water one by one.

• Activity 3: Marble Rolling

Clear a safe space and ask the student to experiment with rolling marbles on different surfaces such as carpet, tile, or wood. Have them observe and describe how the marbles move differently on each surface.

• Activity 4: Marble Maze

Using a small towel or cloth, create a maze or obstacle course on a flat surface. Challenge the student to guide a marble through the maze using only tilting and shaking the surface.

• Activity 5: Marble Art

Provide the student with a large sheet of paper and some paint or markers. Encourage them to create a colorful artwork inspired by marbles, using different shapes and patterns.

Talking Points

• Marbles come in different colors, patterns, sizes, and textures. They can be made of glass, clay, or other materials.
• When we put marbles in water, some sink to the bottom while others float on the surface. This happens because some marbles are denser than water and others are less dense.
• When we roll marbles on different surfaces, they move differently. On a smooth surface, marbles roll faster and farther compared to a rough surface.
• We can create fun mazes and obstacle courses for marbles. By tilting and shaking the surface, we can guide the marbles through the maze.
• Marbles can inspire us to create beautiful artwork. We can use different colors and shapes to make our own marble-inspired designs.