Benchmark Videos
Exploring Windshield Wipers
Video & Background
Children in a mixed-age early childhood classroom at a rural community college were engaged in a study of cars. The children were able to visit the nearby automotive lab at the college to see firsthand how windshield wipers work. Some of the children interact verbally with the automotive instructor to learn about the wipers. In this video clip, we can also see how Nicole (5.8 years old) watches, listens, and records her observations by sketching the windshield wipers. The interaction between the children and the automotive instructor, Dan O’Connor, and his students reveals the children’s interest in scientific knowledge. It also reveals the generosity with which adults typically respond when young children take an interest in their work.Transcript
Click arrow to play video.
Automotive Student: Hi guys. How’s it goin’?
Dan: (Nodding toward his student.) He’s fixin’ his windshield wipers.
Automotive Student: We’re tryin’ to fix my windshield wipers. We’ve got to find out what’s wrong, first.
Dan: This is his car.
Automotive Student: Take it all apart…try to find out why they’re not working right.
Dan: (Picks up a windshield wiper and holds it where children can look at it closely.) See, here’s where the washer fluid comes in, in that little hose right there. It comes up out of that tank you were pointing out over there. And the fluid comes up here (pointing), travels up here (pointing), and it’s got a squirter right there, and that’s what squirts on the window, like that (motioning toward the windshield). Isn’t that neat?
Jace (4.8): And then it wipes it.
Dan: Ya’, and then the wiper blade…you want to feel that? (Holds wiper where children can touch the wiper blade.) That’s rubber.
Automotive Student: That’s what wipes the water off.
Dan: Ya’, that’s what cleans the window off so you can see.
Jace (4.8): You know what, on my Dad’s car, you know what he let’s me do? He let’s me go….
Transition to view of the motor that runs car wipers.
Dan: See that. Look at that. Isn’t that neat? You need all that just to make your wipers work. You see all that linkage in there move? Isn’t that neat?
Sallee: (To Alex.) You know what, maybe I could hold you up. Can I hold you up so you can see better? I’ll give you each a turn.
Dan: (To Nic.) Can you see that? (Picks Nic up.) Can you see?
Automotive Student: See all those rods, and there’s a motor down there that turns? And then it just shoves the rods back and forth, so it makes your wipers go up and down.
Dan: Very good. (Child hands Dan a picture of a car.) Oh, that’s nice!
Transition to view of Nicole sketching wipers
Automotive Student: You guys gonna’ work on cars when you get old?
Transition to view of Nicole’s sketch of wipers.
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Benchmark Description | How Benchmark Was Met |
|---|---|---|
Science |
Uses senses to explore and observe materials and natural phenomena. | Watched how wipers, wiper motor, linkage, and rods worked. Felt rubber on wipers. |
| Science 11.A.ECb |
Collect, describe, and record information. | Nicole recorded her observations on her clipboard. |
| Science 11.B.ECb |
Become familiar with the use of devices incorporating technology. | Learned what makes the wipers move on the car. |
This section of the Illinois Early Learning Web site links to activities related to the Benchmarks in the Illinois Early Learning Standards. We expect that early childhood professionals and parents will use these ideas in ways appropriate to their children and their setting. We are sure that you will find many ways to adapt these activities into themes, projects, and units in your program or at home.
An Illinois Early Learning link to a Web site does not imply an endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project or the Illinois State Board of Education of any product, resource, or service on that Web site.
Return to one of the following Learning Areas:Language Arts | Mathematics | Science | Social Science | Physical Development & Health | Fine Arts | Foreign Languages | Social/Emotional Development
Spanish: Explorar los limpiaparabrisas
Disclaimer
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.