Learning Activity 8
Areas of Learning
Levitation Balloons
Post-Primary
Physical Education
Science and Technology
Setting the Scene
What to Do
Further Suggestions
What You Need
You should take this lesson in the school hall or a large
room where there is plenty of space. The lesson aims to
encourage learners’ independent movement and allows
them to try key physical education skills such as multidirectional movement, speed and playing as a team.
This physical activity ties into the Academy for Wizards
and Witches theme by keeping balloons afloat in the air
‘magically’.
The buoyancy and weight of balloons make them a great
resource to use with PMLD learners, as little movement is
required to make the balloons move. This also makes them
safer to use with those with limited physical ability.
More magic
• Inflated balloons
• Wands or pieces of PVC pipe
preferably 1 inch wide and
24 inches long
• Camera or device to take
photographs and/or videos
Present each learner with a balloon to explore. They
may try to push the balloons off their laps. Support each
learner hand-over-hand to try to hit the balloon into the
air. Staff could gently hit the balloon towards the learner to
encourage the learner to reach out or try to hit it back.
PVC pipes are the best way to make electricity. Plumbers
usually have spare pieces of this or you can buy it from a
DIY store. Charge the PVC pipe by rubbing it back and forth
through your hair or the learner’s hair for 10 seconds. Hold
the balloon above the charged pipe and let it drop and
touch the pipe. The pipe should repel the balloon, making
it float. You will usually have to ‘recharge’ the pipe before
each levitation.
Try levitating an orb made from Mylar tinsel, which is
available from fishing tackle shops or online. You can find
instructions for this experiment at www.sciencebob.com by
searching for The Amazing Levitating Orb in the Experiments
section.
Instead of using the PVC pipes, play parachute games
with balloons. For example, try to keep the balloons on the
parachute or see how high they can float.
Have a game of Academy for Wizards and Witches
balloon-ball, by using pipes or wands to try to pass the
balloon from learner to learner without letting it fall.
Once they have mastered levitating balloons, try moving
your learners as they try to keep the balloons afloat.
Use a camera, tablet or video recorder to capture the
learners’ participation.
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Our Academy for Witches and Wizards
Our Academy for Witches and Wizards
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