Early Science  /  We Can All Be Scientists

We Can All Be Scientists

Circle Time/Introduction:

(15 min)

Materials

Preparation

Directions

Guided Small Group:

(15 min per group)

Materials

Preparation

Familiarize yourself with the iPad and the ways in which it can be used to collect scientific data (for instance using the camera or video apps or using the Early Science with Nico & Nor journal apps).

Directions

Learning Centers:

(as planned in your classroom)

Materials

Measurement Activity

Set up a table in the classroom where children can explore with different types of measurement activities. 1) Measuring with Unifix® cubes: Provide objects of different lengths and heights to be measured and allow children to explore how many Unifix® cubes long or tall each object is, 2) Measuring with rulers: Provide objects of different lengths and heights to be measured and allow children to explore how many inches long or tall each object is and 3) Measuring with a dowel with the measurement units attached: Provide objects of different lengths and heights to be measured and allow children to explore how long or tall each object is. Objects could be anything available in the classroom such as toy cars, large wooden blocks, books, etc.

Observe/Describe Activity

Set up a table in the classroom where children can use magnifying glasses to make close observations of objects (this may include things like rocks, small toys, shells, etc.) and then draw detailed pictures of what they notice about each of those objects. You may encourage children to use more than one of their senses to pay really close attention to what they are seeing, feeling, etc. as they observe these items. For example, they may use their sense of touch to notice the small ridges on a shell.

Sorting and Comparing/Contrasting Activity

Set up a table where children can explore with different sorting challenges. You may use objects that are in your classroom, such as counting bears or Unifix® cubes to sort by color, or other types of blocks or manipulatives to sort by shape or by size. If children are finding it challenging to sort, you could guide them by providing the criteria by which they should sort the objects. If children are successfully sorting, you can invite them to sort into groups and have them come up with the criteria. Make sure to ask them to identify their criteria for sorting and scaffold the process as necessary. Finally, you could also create groups of things and ask children to identify characteristics that are similar amongst the objects within those groups. For added fun, you can add an object that is different into the mix and ask them to identify something that is different and invite them to explain why.

Circle Time Wrap-Up

(15 min)

Materials

Preparation

Review the chart of what children shared at the introductory Circle Time. Think about what you might want to add after the small group and learning center explorations.

Directions