1 - Getting Started ~4 mins
Look at our classroom door and at a chair leg. One needs to swing open. One must never move. How do the joins do such different jobs?
2 - Firm Joins and Swinging Joins ~5 mins
A join is where two pieces meet. A firm join locks still, like a chair leg. A swinging join holds on but can move, like a door.
Some joins hold only loosely and may slide or come apart. That is different from a swinging join like a door.
Which kind of join would you want on a classroom door? Which on a chair leg?
3 - Make Three Joins ~10 mins
In your group of three or four, make three joins. Use the same size card strips each time.
- Join one pair with sticky tape.
- Join one pair with a paperclip.
- Join one pair with a little metal fastener (split pin).
Your tray also has a ready glue join the teacher made earlier. That one is already firm. Make each join carefully so you can test it next.
Before you pull, whisper your guess: which join will stay firm?
4 - Pull Gently and Notice ~8 mins
Hold each join and pull gently. Does it stay stiff and locked, slide or come apart, or swing while still linked? Talk about what you notice.
5 - Sort: Firm, Swinging, or Loose ~5 mins
Sort your four joins into three groups:
- holds firm
- swings (stays linked)
- holds loosely / slides
Then name one classroom job for a firm join and one for a swinging join. Start with the ones we know: firm like a chair leg; swinging like a door.
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