1. Guiding Science Experiences
Chapter 23

2. What is Science? Study of natural processes and their products.
Children must explore to understand world.
Children explore they activity learn.
Experiences should be a hands-on approach.

3. Science involves… Observing Exploring Measuring Comparing Classifying
Predicting
Discovering

4. Why Study Science? Enhance the curiosity of children
Build skills in picking out similarities and differences.
Language and general knowledge improve.
Fine-motor and hand-eye coordination improve

5. Planning Science Activities
Some are planned and unplanned
Planned experiences are bested when focused on a theme.
Science activities are best meshed with other daily activities. Example: snacks
Give children time to play with, examine, and try science materials and equipment

6. Science activities should…
Observe and explore
Note differences and likenesses
Make predictions and solve problems
Collect samples
Develop new interests and skills
Listen to sounds
View videos
Look at books
Collect pictures

7. Science Area
Science area usually set apart from other classroom activities
Best located near kitchen
Outdoor area can also be used. Example: weather tests garden, raising animals.

8. Equipment and Materials
Consider the safety of items
Consider the cost of items (many no cost items can be used)
Science table can be used to display science related items.
Change material often so children explore

9. Role of Teacher
Offer space, materials, and activities that encourage discovery
Constant supervision because of safety
Offer suggestions to frustrated children

10. Effective Questioning
To encourage children to explore, use effective questioning
Open-ended questions promote discussions
Example: How could you classify these?
Close –ended questions demand few decision-making skills (yes or no questions)
Example: what color is it?

11. The Five Senses to teach Science
Children learn by exploring with their senses. Below are examples to use in classroom
Feelings – a feely box can be used
Smelling – use items in classroom that have an odor (play dough)
Seeing – a game to play is “I Spy”
Hearing – tape sounds and voices for the class to guess what the sound is.
Tasting – tasting party with food

12. Using Color to Teach Science
Children observe color daily
Color serves as a basis for groupings
Example: have children match blue toys
Some teachers have special color days
Example: Monday is orange day
Teach color concepts by mixing colors
Mix primary colors to make secondary colors

13. Using Water to Teach Science
Water delights almost all children
If there is no water table use sink or plastic swimming pools
Fill the water based on children's experience and age
Example: young children need 2 or 3 inches of water
Water can teach children about materials absorb water, floating, what materials dissolve in water, painting with water.

14. Using Food to Teach Science
By watching foods cook, children learn how solid materials change (texture and color change)
Baking bread involves both process (reading recipe, collecting ingredients) and product
Cooking projects can be tied to a theme or unit
Children learn food varies in size, shape, and color.

15. Using Child’s Body to Teach Science
Children can understand how their own body is changing through science
One science concept is that people can be recognized by the way they look.
Another science concept is measurements: Growth or weight charts can be used

16. Using Gardening to Teach Science
Learning about gardening and seeds helps children build an interest in growing things.
Science experiments using seeds can be introduced during snack or lunchtime.
Observe seeds with a nature or seed walk
Planting seeds indoor and outdoors teachers children growth

17. Using Air to Teach Science
Teaching about air
Example: inflate some balloons to help children understand air takes up space
Teaching about wind
Use thin strips of newsprint streamers to teach the concept that wind makes things move.
Using weather
When creating activities relating to weather (snow, wind, rain) make it appealing to young children.

18. Using Magnets to Teach Science
Magnet concepts are best learned through a combination of teacher guidance and hands-on activates.
Buy magnets in a variety of shapes
As children play with magnets they will observe things about them.
Activity: have children pick up various objects with magnets.
Children will learn magnets pull some things, but not others

19. Using Wheels to Teach Science
Children see wheels every day
Example: car, truck, bus
Expose children to many times of wheels.
Example: lawnmower & vacuum cleaner
Example activity: cut out and hang pictures of wheels from magazine

20. Using Field Trips and Walks
They promote curiosity, supply opportunities for discovery, and encourage interaction with the environment
Children can observe how machines make work more precise, easy and orderly.
Example, trip to fire station, point out fire alarm, ladder, and hose.

21. Using Animals to Teach Science
Children can learn:
Care of animal (all animals must receive humane care & treatment)
Value of animal (there are many values animals have for children)
Animals as classroom pets (hamsters, snakes, toads & frogs, fish, rabbits, and guinea pigs)

22. Care of the Earth
Children should learn to preserve earth by keeping it clean
Set the stage for recycling in classroom
Label bins paper, glass, metal, and plastic