Balancing With 2nd Graders!

Over the past few weeks 2nd grade has been immersed in their balance and motion unit.  They have been finding the balancing point of objects, figuring out how to make an object stable and seeing what happens when counterweights are introduced! 

Just how easy is it to balance a cup on your head
 and walk around the room?

Is it easier to balance on one foot with your eyes open or closed?
Is it easier to balance on one foot with your hands by your
side or out?

"It's kind of easy to find the balancing point on the crayfish!"

Can you balance the crayfish in different ways
with the clothespins?

I balanced it on my thumb!

"The clothespins add weight."

 After balancing the crayfish, we tried balancing two shapes (triangle and arch) as many ways as possible using one, two or no clothespins.  This time we balanced the shapes, not on our finger, but on a craft stick!

"I can balance the arch with one clothespin!"

The triangle was balancing right at the very edge when...it fell off!

Now we are making our own shapes and predicting where the clothespins need to be for our shape to balance! 

I balanced it!

This is just balancing at the tip!

"Well, this shape is kind of lying down on my finger..."