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This activity is for observing that different objects make shadows of different shapes and sizes. Ask students to find the object that is making a shadow and to describe and compare the object with its shadow. When checking the same shadow an hour later, point out where the Sun is and that it has changed positions—when the sun is in a new position, the shadows change. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity is for observing that different objects make shadows of different shapes and sizes. Ask students to find the object that is making a shadow and to describe and compare the object with its shadow. When checking the same shadow an hour later, point out where the Sun is and that it has changed positions—when the sun is in a new position, the shadows change. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity is for observing shadows and how they change. Take children outside on a sunny day and ask them to look at the ground next to where they are standing to see what they can see. As soon as someone notices his or her shadow, introduce the word shadow. Encourage children to move around to see what happens to their shadows and challenge them to change the shape of their shadows and to make them “disappear” and “reappear.” A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity is for observing shadows and how they change. Take children outside on a sunny day and ask them to look at the ground next to where they are standing to see what they can see. As soon as someone notices his or her shadow, introduce the word shadow. Encourage children to move around to see what happens to their shadows and challenge them to change the shape of their shadows and to make them “disappear” and “reappear.” A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity involves playing with a parachute to make discoveries about air. It is always a favorite activity as most children enjoy hiding under the parachute but limit the number who can hide at the same time. After they play with the parachute, encourage children to think about and describe how parachutes help skydivers as they fall through the air. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity involves playing with a parachute to make discoveries about air. It is always a favorite activity as most children enjoy hiding under the parachute but limit the number who can hide at the same time. After they play with the parachute, encourage children to think about and describe how parachutes help skydivers as they fall through the air. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity is for testing how different speeds of wind make objects move. In the activity, students hold their streamers in front of an electric fan. By changing the speed of the fan, have the students describe and compare their streamers. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index.
This activity is for testing how different speeds of wind make objects move. In the activity, students hold their streamers in front of an electric fan. By changing the speed of the fan, have the students describe and compare their streamers. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index.
This activity is for discovering what makes streamers move. On a breezy day, give each child a small stick with a streamer attached. Let children explore with their streamers and challenge them to walk in different directions and to hold the streamers in different ways to notice what happens. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index.
This activity is for discovering what makes streamers move. On a breezy day, give each child a small stick with a streamer attached. Let children explore with their streamers and challenge them to walk in different directions and to hold the streamers in different ways to notice what happens. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index.
This activity is for observing that wind can make objects move. In the activity, children take a walk around the school grounds on a breezy day to look for things that are moving. Children are asked to describe the things they saw once back inside. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index..
This activity is for observing that wind can make objects move. In the activity, children take a walk around the school grounds on a breezy day to look for things that are moving. Children are asked to describe the things they saw once back inside. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index..
This activity uses the sense of touch to match objects. In the activity, each group of students is given a matching set of materials to observe and describe. After initial discussions, children are asked to consider how the objects feel and one set of objects is put in a feeling box. Children can choose an object from the other set and then take turns reaching into the feeling box to find its match. Follow up with a discussion about how they were able to find matching items without looking by using their sense of touch.
This activity uses the sense of touch to match objects. In the activity, each group of students is given a matching set of materials to observe and describe. After initial discussions, children are asked to consider how the objects feel and one set of objects is put in a feeling box. Children can choose an object from the other set and then take turns reaching into the feeling box to find its match. Follow up with a discussion about how they were able to find matching items without looking by using their sense of touch.
This activity focuses on identifying various materials by touch. The activity encourages children to touch and hold the various materials as they make a collage. When collages are finished, put them on tables and have children feel each collage and try to find their own. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index.
This activity focuses on identifying various materials by touch. The activity encourages children to touch and hold the various materials as they make a collage. When collages are finished, put them on tables and have children feel each collage and try to find their own. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided. This book selection also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, About the Editors, Introduction, Simple Graphing for Young Children, Science Teaching Boards and Boxes, Basic Materials List, and Index.
This activity is about reusing materials to make sounds. In the activity, children use their used cups and paper towels to make a noise maker that results in a very realistic duck sound! Children will want to continue this activity all day long. Instead, have them make and describe different types of sounds and to brainstorm other uses, including different types of noise-makers, for items they can reuse instead of throwing out. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.
This activity is about reusing materials to make sounds. In the activity, children use their used cups and paper towels to make a noise maker that results in a very realistic duck sound! Children will want to continue this activity all day long. Instead, have them make and describe different types of sounds and to brainstorm other uses, including different types of noise-makers, for items they can reuse instead of throwing out. A materials list, internet resources, standards, and safety practices are provided.

A Head Start on Science, Second Edition: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder

Imagine what fun it could be for 3- to 7-year-olds to engage in a game of Prism Play or Magnetic Scavenger Hunt or Where Did the Shadows Go? Then imagine how convenient it would be for you if such activities came with the connections, standards, and assessments today’s early childhood educators need most. Your dream resource comes to life in this revised and expanded edition of A Head Start on Science: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder. It builds on children’s innate curiosity through 89 developmentally appropriate, teacher-tested activities in life, Earth, and physical science.
Imagine what fun it could be for 3- to 7-year-olds to engage in a game of Prism Play or Magnetic Scavenger Hunt or Where Did the Shadows Go? Then imagine how convenient it would be for you if such activities came with the connections, standards, and assessments today’s early childhood educators need most. Your dream resource comes to life in this revised and expanded edition of A Head Start on Science: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder. It builds on children’s innate curiosity through 89 developmentally appropriate, teacher-tested activities in life, Earth, and physical science.
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