Control cards for coloured cylinders

MATERIAL OVERVIEW:

The Cylinder Blocks consist of 4 wooden blocks made of beech. All four are equal in shape and size (45 cm long, 6 cm high, 8 cm wide). Each holds ten fitted cylinders. Three of the blocks each contain 10 cylinders ranging from 5 mm to 5 cm in diameter. One block holds 10 cylinders all sharing a single diameter of 2.5 cm.

The first block: the cylinders vary in two dimensions (varying diameter)

The second block: the cylinders vary in three dimensions (varying diameter and height)

The third block: the cylinders vary in three dimensions in the opposite direction;

The fourth block: the cylinders vary in one dimension: the height.

PRESENTATION:

- fetch the cylinder block from the shelf together with the child, placing a hand at each end

- sit down at a table with the child, placing them on your left

- bring the block close to you

- take out each cylinder one by one using the three-finger grip: thumb, index and middle finger

- slowly lift the cylinder, keeping it upright above its socket; begin with the cylinders at the ends of the block, that is the largest and the smallest, removing the thickest and the thinnest one after another, then set each cylinder down slowly on the table behind the block and in random order

- once all the cylinders are on the table, pick one up - starting with the ends - turn it over above one of the block's sockets, then visually assess the circumference of the cylinder and that of the socket

- when you have judged the two circumferences to match, insert the cylinder into the socket very slowly. Repeat the same process for each cylinder

- once all the cylinders are back in place, invite the child to do the activity in turn