Cylinder Blocks 

Materials:

  • Four wooden blocks each containing 10 cylinders with knobs

  • Each cylinder fits into a corresponding hole. The 4 sets of cylinders show all the differences in the dimension that exists in objects (materialized abstractions)                           

 
 

Block 1

The cylinders vary in two dimensions.
The diameter (both width and depth) decreases from 5.5 cm to 1 cm.
The height remains constant at 5.5 cm.

Block 2

The cylinders vary in three dimensions.
The diameter (both width and depth) decreases from 5.5 cm to 1 cm.
The height decreases from 5.5 cm to 1 cm.

Block 3

The cylinders vary in three dimensions.
The diameter (both width and depth) decreases from 5.5 cm to 1 cm.
The height increases from 1 cm. to 5.5 cm.

Block 4

The cylinders vary in one dimension.
The diameter (both width and depth) remains constant at 2 cm.
The height decreases from 5.5 cm to 1 cm.

**It takes the 2 dimensions W and D to create the surface and they are the same.

Purposes:

  • Visual discrimination of dimension (size)

  • Refinement of voluntary movement

  • Indirect preparation for writing: three-fingered grasp for holding a writing implement

  • Indirect preparation of the Mathematical Mind

Age: 2 ½ - 3 ½

Preparation:

  • The child is working with Practical Life exercises.

  • You have observed the child demonstrate a degree of and has shown order and control of movement.

  • The child can complete a three-step work cycle.

Presentation: 

  • Invite the child for the lesson on the Cylinder Blocks.

  • Show the child how to pick up and carry Block #1 by the ends, return it to the shelf and allow the child to bring it to the table.

  • Sit to the right of the child and orient the block so the thickest cylinder is on the left.

  • Use a three-fingered grasp on the knob and remove the cylinders starting at the left placing them at random in front of the block. 

  • Replace them by grasping cylinders by the knob with the three-fingered grasp, begin with one of the extremes.

  • Moving left to right, hover it over the holes until you reach its spot and slowly lower it in.

  • Invite the child and encourage repetition.

  • Fade and observe.

Control of Error:

  • Mechanical: only one cylinder fits in each socket perfectly

Language: All vocabulary is to be given in a Three Period Lesson and should be given when the child can discriminate the dimensions without any hesitation.

  • Block 1 (A): thick-thin & Superlatives-thickest-thinnest & Comparatives-thicker than- thinner than

  • Block 2 (B): large-small & Superlatives-largest-smallest & Comparatives larger than smaller than

  • Block 3 (C): No language because it is given with the other blocks

  • Block 4 (D): tall-short / deep shallow (with empty holes) & Superlatives-tallest-shortest & Comparatives-taller than-shorter than

Following Exercises: Single child

  • After the child has worked with the first block, they may work with any of the others.

  • After the child has worked with the 4 blocks individually:

  • Work with two blocks positioned in an inverted ‘V’ and place all cylinders from the two in the center. This is a preparation for writing so should be done at a table. 

  • Work with any three in the shape of a triangle.

  • Work with 4 in the shape of a rectangle

  • Work with one or more blocks at a time with a blindfold (stereognostic sense).

Memory Games: 

  • Distance Games: Block on a table and cylinders at a location across the room. Use a memory marker to mark the socket that the child is finding a match to.

  • Comparative Language Game (“Bring me a cylinder that is thicker than this one.”)

  • Group Game: 5-10 children. (“Who thinks they have the next one?”)

Pedagogical Notes:

  • We start with the visual sense because it is the most obvious for the child.

  • Start with Block #1 because it is easiest to see the difference in the cylinders.

  • This exercise serves as the pairing exercise for dimension.

  • Use an opened paperclip to push a stuck cylinder out of the wrong hole from underneath.

  • DO NOT DUMP THE BOCKS

Next

Pink Tower