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Location: Blogs MySci Blog |
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| Posted by: MySci Blog Team |
10/24/2008 12:35 PM |
Being an early childhood science educator requires an ability to engage children on their level (physically and metaphorically). So imagine a small group of children sitting on the “fallen log” in the Investigation Station, and the Program Specialist either sitting on the floor or, squatting on a stump.
Being an early childhood science educator requires an ability to engage children on their level (physically and metaphorically). So imagine a small group of children sitting on the “fallen log” in the Investigation Station, and the Program Specialist either sitting on the floor or, squatting on a stump.
This particular lesson has the objective of showing how fruits hold the seeds for plants. As always, in early childhood, you begin with the child. Some of the children brought in seeds from home, or from their lunch. Apple seeds, acorns, “helicopter seeds” (maple), and “iced tea seeds´ (lemon) all are discussed.
There is also a collection of seeds from a nearby prairie and glades (Shaw Nature Preserve) in jars with magnifying lids to show the children. Seed dispersal is another topic of conversation, how do all those seeds get around? Most of the children have blown on a dandelion (to make a wish, of course), so wind is easy to explain. “Hitchhiker seeds” seeds are also familiar to children, who hasn’t picked those annoying seeds off their socks or dog’s fur? The children love the icky story of animal dispersal, and are intrigued by the idea of coconuts floating across the oceans.
But for the children, the highlight of the lesson is when we cut open an assortment of fruits, recently purchased at the local Shop n’ Save, and pass them around. The children peer closely with their magnifying lenses at the arraignment of the seeds in each fruit slice. They smell them with delight. (And would lick or eat them, given the chance-but we follow the reminders that in science, safety dictates no eating the experiments!)
One child was particularly thrilled by the fruit. Every one that went by him got a huge sniff. When it came to the lime, he sniffed and then a huge smile broke out on his face. He stood up and danced-something which could only be described as a “happy dance”-part jig, part hip-hop, part tap dance. Further, when the kiwi came to him, he took one sniff and stretched out his arms and lifted one leg, ala Baryshnikov. It was a wondrous sight.
Who knows, perhaps the children will go home and ask for a piece of fruit for a snack after school today. |
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| Location: BlogsMySci Blog |
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| Posted by: MySci Blog Team |
10/24/2008 12:35 PM |
Being an early childhood science educator requires an ability to engage children on their level (physically and metaphorically). So imagine a small group of children sitting on the “fallen log” in the Investigation Station, and the Program Specialist either sitting on the floor or, squatting on a stump.
Being an early childhood science educator requires an ability to engage children on their level (physically and metaphorically). So imagine a small group of children sitting on the “fallen log” in the Investigation Station, and the Program Specialist either sitting on the floor or, squatting on a stump.
This particular lesson has the objective of showing how fruits hold the seeds for plants. As always, in early childhood, you begin with the child. Some of the children brought in seeds from home, or from their lunch. Apple seeds, acorns, “helicopter seeds” (maple), and “iced tea seeds´ (lemon) all are discussed.
There is also a collection of seeds from a nearby prairie and glades (Shaw Nature Preserve) in jars with magnifying lids to show the children. Seed dispersal is another topic of conversation, how do all those seeds get around? Most of the children have blown on a dandelion (to make a wish, of course), so wind is easy to explain. “Hitchhiker seeds” seeds are also familiar to children, who hasn’t picked those annoying seeds off their socks or dog’s fur? The children love the icky story of animal dispersal, and are intrigued by the idea of coconuts floating across the oceans.
But for the children, the highlight of the lesson is when we cut open an assortment of fruits, recently purchased at the local Shop n’ Save, and pass them around. The children peer closely with their magnifying lenses at the arraignment of the seeds in each fruit slice. They smell them with delight. (And would lick or eat them, given the chance-but we follow the reminders that in science, safety dictates no eating the experiments!)
One child was particularly thrilled by the fruit. Every one that went by him got a huge sniff. When it came to the lime, he sniffed and then a huge smile broke out on his face. He stood up and danced-something which could only be described as a “happy dance”-part jig, part hip-hop, part tap dance. Further, when the kiwi came to him, he took one sniff and stretched out his arms and lifted one leg, ala Baryshnikov. It was a wondrous sight.
Who knows, perhaps the children will go home and ask for a piece of fruit for a snack after school today. |
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