Crop Circles in the playroom ..

[Ruthierhyme]

Crop Circles are a phenomena that we still have to prove ... but whichever path that outcome takes there is no disputing that these sometimes beautiful and elaborate designs appear in fields across the World.

To bring the 'question' of Crop Circles into the playroom on a more approachable and deliverable level .. these are a few ideas on activities looking at power, force, shape, symbol, position, number and size

Googled Image 'Crop Circle' results (some of the result pictures are a little ummmm questionable ... lol )

Spinning tops

Set a spinning top off in a small puddle of water .. see how the force of spin moves the tip of the spinner out of it's area ... watch the lines of water appear as it tracks them across the dry area.
Repeat the same with a small puddle of paint - and let the spinner make circular patterns across a sheet of paper.
Use stampers with handles in the sand tray - create impressions and patterns in the surface ~ look at how pressure can make deeper and larger shapes.

Wind
Use elastic bands as a wind up mechanism to look at how the outer edges of the items that are spinning ~ give off gusts of wind.
Set off a spinning top - and drop some feathers on to the top of it - how does the wind affect where they float off to ?
With a straw blow directly into a saucer of water.
:candle: How does this make the water react - disperse and ripple?
:candle: Add marbling ink or glitter for a more visual experiment.
:candle: Precision is quite important as the straw mustn't touch the sucface of the water. Use a deep bowl so that the children can rest on the rim .. and so help control where they place the straw.
:candle: Try other objects .. whistles .. kazoo ... bamboo

Does a hollow square tube create a different impression in sand than a circular one?

Weave art straws together - Use techniques like ~ Push and Pull /
Twist and Bend to replicate simple shapes - a square.. a circle .. triangle etc. Build repeating pictures & patterns with them.

Introduce 'Tornedos' and other weather forces.

If you know of any good practical websites that offer downloadable acticity sheets/science experiments, explanations, activity ideas or information on Crop circles that can be used in the classroom please post away .....