Science and Technology

KDI:

45. Observing: Children observe the materials and processes in their environment.

46. Classifying: Children classify materials, actions, people, and events.

47. Experimenting: Children experiment to test their ideas.

48. Predicting: Children predict what they expect will happen.

49. Drawing conclusions: Children draw conclusions based on their experiences and observations. 

50. Communicating ideas: Children communicate their ideas about the characteristics of things and how they work. 

51. Natural and physical world: Children gather knowledge about the natural and physical world. 

52. Tools and technology: Children explore and use tools and technology. 

ALL MATERIALS:

• Large buckets of water
• Different size and color rubber fruit counters
• Spoons
• Muffins tins
• Primary color paint (red, blue, yellow)
• Clear cups
• Paintbrushes
• White paper
• Smocks
• Child-safe scissors
  
• Magnifying glasses
  
• Scoops and tongs
  
• Measuring cups
  
• Paper
  
• Small objects (buttons, pom-poms, blocks)

ALL LESSON PLANS CAN BE COMPLETED IN THE CLASSROOM: NO ROOM CHANGES

Name of activity: Sorting fruit 

Originating Idea: The children were showing interest in the warmer months and wanting to play with water.

Curriculum Area: 46. Classifying: Children classify materials, actions, people, and events.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials

• Large buckets of water
• Different size and color rubber fruit counters
• Spoons
• Muffins tins

Appropriate Age group-Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to do a sorting activity. I am going to ask you to sort these rubber fruit counters that we’ve used during math. Holding up a piece of fruit, I will say, here is a big strawberry, here is a medium strawberry and here is a small strawberry. Repeat this pattern with all the different types of fruit.

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels

Now I am going to name the types of fruit I will want you to sort.

Early:

A child is picking the fruits at random – I will ask the child do they notice any differences? Give the child 3 fruits with 2 of them being the same and ask them to put the two alike together. Add more items as the child is successfully classifying.

Middle:  

A child is able to classify/sort 3 objects. Add an attribute for the child to sort. Example: Can you find a fruit that is blue and small?

Later:

A child is able to classify and sort by two attributes. Add an additional attribute or add more items. Ex. Can find me a fruit that is round and feels heavy and orange?

End of Activity

 Today we did a sorting activity. You sorted rubber fruit counters into piles that were the same. They were big, medium or small. Tell your friend your favorite thing to sort.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

Have the children bring in found objects from their time outside to sort and classify

Have the children classifying each others in a different way

Assessment

Children were able to successfully classify the material at least one way.

Name of activity: Color Mixing

Originating Idea: The children have been talking about colors they see outside and showing interest in mixing colors during art.

Curriculum Area: 47. Experimenting: Children experiment to test their ideas.

Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies

Materials

• Primary color paint (red, blue, yellow)
• Clear cups
• Paintbrushes
• White paper
• Smocks

Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K

Beginning of Activity

Today we are going to experiment with colors. This is red, this is blue, and this is yellow paint. I will then say what do you think will happen if we mix colors together?

Middle of Activity

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels 

Now I am going to ask you to experiment by mixing different colors of paint and observing what happens. You can try different combinations to see what new colors you can create.

Early:
A child is exploring materials. I will encourage hands-on use and describe their actions: “You are mixing colors.” I will focus on simple cause and effect.

Middle:
A child begins experimenting with more purpose. I will ask, “What happened when you mixed those colors?” and encourage them to try different combinations.

Later:
A child is able to test ideas and explain results. I will ask, “What do you think will happen next?” and “Why did that color change?” to extend their thinking.

End of Activity

Today we experimented with colors. You tested your ideas by mixing paint and saw what happened. Tell a friend what you discovered.

Follow-up Ideas (2)

• Experiment with mixing colored water outdoors
• Try mixing other materials (such as playdough colors)

Assessment

Children were able to experiment with the paint and observe results at their developmental level.