Learning Through Productive Struggle: Classroom Reflections on Stability and Floating - Bhawna Jalan

 

2nd Reflection- Paper Tower Challenge – Building Stability

The Challenge:

Children were given three sheets of paper and asked:

“Make the tallest standing tower you can.”

Struggle Phase (5 minutes):

Most children simply stacked flat sheets. The towers fell quickly.

Some tried rolling the paper but did not secure it; some crushed it; some gave up after the first fall.

Mini-Lesson / Turning Point:

I asked:

“Why did your tower fall?”

“What shape can help it stand?”

Then I demonstrated one idea—rolling the paper tightly and taping the cylinder.

Second Try:

Children made cylinders, triangles, and combined shapes. Many towers stood much taller.

Evidence:

Before the tip: Only 2 out of 15 towers stood for more than 5 seconds.

After the tip: 11 out of 15 towers stood tall and stable.

A student said, “Round is strong! My tower is like a pillar!”

Takeaway:

Struggle helped children invent shapes. A small hint unlocked understanding of strength and stability.

3rd Reflection- The Fast Boat Challenge – Floating and Moving

The Challenge:

Children were given foil, straws, and tape.

Task: “Make a boat that can float AND move when blown.”

Struggle Phase:

Some boats sank, some flipped, and some did not move at all.

Mini-Lesson:

Questions asked:

“What made it sink?”

“What shape helps it float?”

Then I modelled a simple idea—making a flat base and folding the edges upward.

Second Try:

Children made wider bases, lighter shapes, and better “sails.”

Evidence:

Before: 4 out of 20 boats floated and moved.

After: 15 out of 20 boats succeeded.

Child quote: “I made it light, so it zooms!”

Takeaway:

Children learned through mistakes that shape and weight affect floating.

4th Reflection- The Rolling Ramp – Speed & Slope

The Challenge:
Materials: Cardboard ramps, toy cars, books.
Task: “Make the car go the fastest.”

Struggle Phase:
Some cars stopped midway, and some fell off the ramp.

Mini-Lesson:
Questions:
“What happens if the ramp is higher?”
“Why did this car stop?”
I showed how changing the slope changes speed.

Second Try:
Children adjusted the ramp height and made smoother paths.

Evidence:
Before: Only 6 cars reached the end
After: 16 cars reached the end quickly

Child quote:
“Higher ramp = faster car!”

Takeaway:
Children learned that slope affects speed and movement.

5th Reflection -The Tall Tower Test – Balance & Stability

The Challenge:
Children were given paper cups, ice-cream sticks, and clay.
Task: “Build the tallest tower that can stand on its own.”

Struggle Phase:
Some towers fell immediately, some leaned, and some broke in the middle.

Mini-Lesson:
Questions asked:
“Why did it fall?”
“Where should the base be strong?”
I demonstrated making a wide base and adding support at the bottom.

Second Try:
Children focused on wider bases, even spacing, and stronger joints.

Evidence:
Before: 5 out of 18 towers stood for 10 seconds
After: 14 out of 18 towers stood firmly

Child quote:
“If the bottom is strong, the top can be tall!”

Takeaway:
Children discovered that balance and base strength affect stability.

Bhawna Jalan
Sunbeam Annapurna