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Community Where Teachers Can Teach
Community Where Students Can Learn |
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A Science Walk |
 Even
a walk around the yard can provide many opportunities to introduce children to
scientific concepts and processes by helping them to gain the scientific habit
of observing what's around them. Observing closely is an important part of
science, and tools such as a magnifying glass help scientists—even young ones—to
observe, measure and do things that they otherwise could not do.
What You Need |
- A magnifying glass
- Science journal
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What to Do |
- Take a walk outside with your
child—around the yard, to the end of the block, in the
park—anywhere that's convenient. Invite her to bring
along her science journal and show her how to use a
magnifying glass. As you walk, stop and—depending on the
season—ask her to use the lens to examine things such as
the following:
- dirt
- leaves (from the same tree, one on
the ground and one on the tree)
- a flower
- snowflakes
- icicles
- bugs
- a mud puddle
- a rock
- Ask her to talk about what she
observes. Ask, for example:
- What's on each side of this leaf?
- How is this leaf on the ground
different from the one on the tree?
- Are all the petals on this flower
the same size and color?
- Are these snowflakes exactly alike?
How are they different?
- How many legs does this bug have?
- How many colors can you see in this
mud puddle?
- Other questions you might ask as she
observes and examines things along the way include the
following:
- Is it smooth or rough?
- Is it hard or soft?
- Is it dry or wet?
- Is it alive? How do you know?
- What shape is it?
- Give your child two different kinds
of rocks or flowers and ask her to tell you how they are
alike and different.
- Make sure she records her
observations, reactions, findings and opinions in her
science journal. Drawing pictures and taking photos are
good ways to record observations, and you can help her
to write appropriate captions. Encourage her to share
her journal with others and to talk about her
experiences.
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Information source: U.S. Department of Education - Helping Your Child Learn Science |
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