Giant Scale
Episode # 152. Banana Split
In a short cylinder, the children give the Storypeople a pile of bananas. Brother and Sister each want a share, but they take away bananas at different rates, leaving Sister with a much bigger pile than Brother. How can they each get an equal share? The children know. They provide a scale so that Brother and Sister can balance each side.

Directions
Make a giant scale by attaching empty laundry baskets to the ends of a broomstick or long pole by sliding the pole through the baskets' handles and wrapping the ends of the poll in duct tape think enough to prevent the baskets from falling off the end. Make an oversized scale by balancing the pole on a thin edge (e.g., a tree branch, a deck railing, etc.).

Let children fill the baskets with different kinds of items, predicting which would be heavier, or put an object on one side and invite your child to find something (or a group of things) that would balance the scale.

You can also make a game by having players toss items into the laundry basket on their side. The team with the heavier side when all the objects have been tossed is the winner. For safety, be sure that tossing items are soft and free of sharp corners.

If your child has seen the Banana Split episode, you might want to finish your play session by heading inside to make banana milk shakes! Just blend a banana (or part of a banana) into a glass of milk for a delicious treat.

Talk About It
While viewing the Banana Split episode, you might start a conversation by asking your child: "If you were Brother or Sister, how would you divide the pile of bananas fairly?"

As you talk about the things on screen, you can help expand your child's vocabulary by alternating the words you use with their synonyms. In the Banana Split episode you might say that Sister and Brother are splitting the pile or dividing the pile.