Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with a delightful picture book that brings snowy adventures to life. Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman is a playful, rhyming tale featuring animals tumbling off a sled one by one. Not only does it engage preschoolers with its catchy rhythm and whimsical illustrations, but it also introduces early math concepts like counting down.
Pair this fun story with a hands-on STEAM engineering challenge to bring the sledding adventures to life and inspire curiosity and creativity in your preschoolers.
Why Ten on the Sled is a Must-Read
- Interactive Counting Fun: The story’s countdown from 10 to 1 keeps little ones engaged as they anticipate who will fall off the sled next.
- Playful Characters: Each animal brings unique personality and humor to the adventure, making it relatable and enjoyable for young readers.
Rhyming Text: The lyrical rhythm enhances language development while making the story memorable and fun to read aloud.
STEAM Engineering Challenge: Build a Sled that Holds 10 Animals
The Challenge:
Can you design a sled that can hold 10 toy animals without tipping over?
Materials:
- Recycled items like small boxes, cardboard, or paper towel tubes
- Popsicle sticks, straws, or pipe cleaners for sled runners
- Tape, glue, and scissors
- Small toy animals or figurines
- A ramp (made from a piece of cardboard or a book propped at an angle)
Instructions:
- Set the Scene:
Read Ten on the Sled aloud to the group. Discuss the sled in the story and why the animals kept falling off. Ask, “How could we build a sled that keeps all the animals on board?” - Plan the Design:
Encourage children to sketch or talk about their ideas for a sled. Discuss questions like:- How will the sled hold all the animals?
- What materials will make the sled strong and balanced?
- What shape should the sled be?
- Build the Sled:
Provide the materials and let children create their sleds. Assist with cutting or assembling as needed, but let the preschoolers take the lead. - Test the Sled:
Place the sled on the ramp and add the toy animals one by one. Observe how the sled moves and whether it tips or keeps the animals secure.
Redesign and Improve:
If the sled tips over or animals fall off, encourage children to brainstorm improvements. They might add wider runners, build walls, or adjust the shape to make the sled more stable.
STEAM Connections
- Science: Explore gravity and friction as the sled moves down the ramp.
- Technology: Use tools like scissors and tape to construct the sled.
- Engineering: Design and test a functional sled that can carry a load.
- Art: Decorate the sled with winter-themed colors and patterns.
Math: Count the animals as they’re added to the sled and adjust placement for balance.
Guiding Questions
- What happens when you add too many animals to one side of the sled?
- How can you make the sled more balanced?
- Does the sled go faster or slower depending on its shape?
- What materials worked best for keeping the sled stable?
Extend the Fun
- Ramp Race: Create multiple sleds and have a race down the ramp to see which design moves fastest.
- Winter Art: Use paint or markers to decorate the sleds with snowflakes or animals from the book.
Math Extension: Practice counting backward from 10 to 1, just like in the story, as animals “tumble off” the sled.
Why Combine Ten on the Sled with STEAM?
Pairing this engaging story with a hands-on activity brings its themes to life while introducing preschoolers to problem-solving, design, and creativity. It encourages active participation, curiosity, and collaboration, all while reinforcing foundational math and engineering concepts.Try it out and share your sled designs! Post your creations on social media with #PreschoolSTEAM and inspire others to join the fun.
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