Balancing Act

Book Title: Balancing Act

Author: Ellen Stoll Walsh

Mathematical Concepts and Language:

• Measurement: Balance (heavy, light, equal, weight, more, less)
• Measurement Vocabulary 

Questioning:

Before:

• What do you think balance means?
• Do you know what a teeter totter is? How does it work?
• Does balance mean the same as equal?

During:

• What can the mice do to balance the scale?
• What do you think will happen?

After:

• Does balance mean the same as equal?
• What can you balance?
• How do you know that it is balanced?
• What is heavy? What is light?

Extensions/Provocations (Small Group, Learning Centres, Whole Group, Transitions):

• Provocation with Loose Parts: What can you balance?
• Outdoor Play: provide a long piece of wood to create a teeter totter outdoors
• Sand or Water: Add different types of measurement scales or balances for exploration
• Small Group: using a balance scale (prompt: how can you make it balance? providing different types of materials for students to explore)