Mega-Marble Roll Movies & More

Bridges' second graders will soon start Unit 6 and Get Those Marble Rolling. If you're looking for a little marble roll inspiration, watch this fantastic YouTube video, "Mega Marble Mazes", featuring the work of second grade students. For fun, watch "Creme That Egg!", a Rube Goldberg-esque marble roll that entirely lines the large walls of a lounge.

During Unit 6, students may enjoy reading books that feature creative construction. Favorites include:

Andrew Henry's Meadow
This recently reprinted title has captured the imagination of children for generations. Andrew Henry loves to build: a helicopter in the kitchen, an eagle's cage in the living room, and a merry-go-round hitched up to his sisters' sewing machine. When family members fail to appreciate his efforts, Andrew Henry moves to the meadow where he builds himself a house. Other children join him. Andrew Henry builds houses that celebrate their unique interests: a tree house for the bird lover, a bridge over the creek for the fisher, a castle with turrets for the duo who enjoy playing dress-up. Eventually, nine children live in Andrew Henry's Meadow. But the families, missing their children, set out to find them. Andrew Henry is welcomed home and given his own special corner of the basement in which to build.

Galimoto
An African child works hard to collect all the scraps necessary to create a beloved galimoto, a toy vehicle.

Both stories emphasize perseverance in the face of great challenges and provide inspiration as you begin the marble roll unit.

Lastly, the new second grade resource matrix includes suggestions for Unit 6 extensions. Several provide additional experience with Common Core State Standard MD.9, generating line plots.

Now let's get those marbles rollin'!