Activity Idea: Where Did the Ice Go?

Preschool QuickSource® reminds us that science is the "study of the world and how it works. Children are natural scientists and their curiosity leads them to seek answers to questions and make connections. By experimenting, making predictions, exploring, testing observations, and investigating, children learn about the world they live in. " Children can discover many things about the world they live in simply by asking a few questions and observing their environment.

Here's an activity called Where Did the Ice Go? that will help children learn to collect, describe and record information. For this activity, you will need white sulfite paper, sand and water activity tubs, and Colorations® large crayons.

Materials Needed:
12x18" White Sulfite Paper, 500 sheets (12SU)
Sand and Water Activity Tubs, set of 4 (TUBS)
Colorations® Large Crayons, set of 8 (CRL8)

Let's Get Started:
1. Place ice in the water table or tub.

2. Give the children an opportunity to play and explore in the ice with different tools.
3. Ask the children to observe what is happening to the ice as they are playing.
4. Draw attention to the water when the ice is completely melted.
5. Give each child a small journal book or a large paper folded into fourths.
6. Have the children record what happened to the ice by drawing pictures. The first picture should be of the frozen ice with the final picture being the melted water. Observe what the children do in the pictures between the ice and the water.

Furthermore....
Extend this activity by freezing other liquids, such as Colorations® Liquid Watercolor™ or various kinds of fruit juice. Ask the children to determine which melts faster or slower.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in SC 2 Collects, Describes and Records Information.

Activity Idea: Painting Without a Brush

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that Fine Arts "support all areas of development and allows the child to foster creativity and imagination. By painting a picture, singing a song or participating in a dance, a child can express her thoughts and feelings. Children can explore different mediums by using various tools to create pieces of art and participate in musical activities that demonstrate beat, rhythm and music dynamics.

Here's an activity called Painting Without a Brush that will help children discover different ways to apply paint to paper. For this activity, you'll need Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera paint or BioColor® paint, a large piece of paper, and various painting tools.

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera paint or BioColor® paint
12x18" White Sulfite Paper
Supreme Painting Kit

Let's Get Started:
1. Give each child a large piece of paper that works well with paint.

2. Place the different colors of paint in a covered area with easy access for the children.
3. Place the various painting tools on a tray. Have the children experiment, using different items to spread the paint on the paper.

Furthermore...
Extend this activity by encouraging children to find other items within the classroom to use that will create different textures as they paint. Have them look for blocks (TEXBLOCK), cars with rolling wheels (CARS2), sponges (SPOKIT), pretend serving utensils from the dramatic play area (COOKING), etc.
 

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in CA5: Explores Drawing, Painting, and Modeling with Different Materials and Media. It also corresponds with the Creative Arts Expression Head Start domain.
 
For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® and browse through all age areas, including Preschool, Kindergarten, Infant & Toddler, and Head Start. Don't forget to explore activities promoting environmental awareness at Environmental QuickSource®.