Materials
Two 10" (25 cm) circles of poster board, one with the picture of a rabbit on it, one with thepicture of a turtle on it
Several sheets of newspaper
Chalk or masking tape
The Tortoise and the Hare fable
Indoors a 15' x 6' (5 m x 2 m) non-carpeted, open area
Outdoors a 15' by 6' (5 m x 2 m) smooth surface (concrete, asphalt, etc.)
Instructions
1. Mark the starting line with chalk or masking tape. Ten feet (3 m) away mark the finish line in the same manner.
2. Tell or read the fable The Tortoise and the Hare.
3. Lay the poster board circles on the starting line about 3' (1 m) apart.
4. Two children are each given a double sheet of newspaper. They use the newspaper to fan the air behind their animal and make their animal move. The first animal across the finish line wins the race.
5. Have the children experiment with the shape of the newspaper. Which shape is the most efficient mover of air a flat sheet, a sheet folded in half or a sheet pleated into a fan?
