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Science for early childhood

Wisconsin State Teacher’s Conference

October 29, 2016

By: Rebekah Thoma

rthoma@stpeterssb.net

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A little bit-o-christmas!

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Next Generation Science Standards

mrsthomalovesjesus.weebly.com

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I Wonder...

Ask questions

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I think...

Form a hypothesis

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I see...

Conduct an experiment

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I discovered...

Record their observations

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I know...

Come to a conclusion

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Ted Talks

Children can be a part of authentic scientific inquiry!

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Engage students!

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ChatterPix by Duck Duck Moose - IPAD ap

Animal Research Cumulative Project

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YOUTUBE

Share science experiences!

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study buddies

Learning is a lifelong journey.

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https://www.facebook.com/stpeterssb/photos_stream

Share what you are doing in the classroom. Parents love to see students in action!

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Be a lifelong learner!

Check out continuing education opportunities!

UWGB Education Outreach

http://www.uwgb.edu/educationoutreach/courses/courseDetail.asp?id=0174D

MLC Graduate Studies/Continuing Education

https://mlc-wels.edu/continuing-education/contact-us/

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Conferences and conventions

SDE Conference in Las Vegas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIbj3-KU7G8

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Utilize your smart board

Harry Kindergarten Songs

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Science Songs for Kids

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KinderLit

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Science Journaling

  • Parts of a plant
  • What grows above?
  • What grows below?
  • Basics of gardening

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School Garden

Grants available!

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Tlc lessons

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Animal Research Project

  • Ready-made tools
  • Parent Volunteers
  • Children’s Literature
  • Encourage student CHOICE
  • Study Buddy connections
  • Youtube animal videos
  • pbskids.org

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Wild Kratts

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Science in literature:

Children’s books make SCIENCE come alive!

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

Animals Born Alive and Well by Ruth Heller

A Tree Can Be by Judy Nayer

Jack and the Beanstalk by Steven Kellogg

This is Our Earth by Laura Lee Benson

Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons

Drip! Drop! By Barbara Seuling

Germs! Germs! Germs! By Bobbi Katz

Creative Teaching Press Life Cycle Book Series

Why Do I Sleep? By Angela Royston

Vegetable Garden by Douglas Florian

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? By Eric Carle

Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens

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Science experiences ~ Make Science Come Alive!

Lemon Babies

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100%

No science experience/experiment will be 100% effective.

BUT...that should not stop us!

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Additional Science experiences

  • Flubber
  • Goop
  • Penny
  • Volcano
  • Snow Melt
  • Maker Space
  • Rot or Not (Apples, Chip)
  • Pumpkin Decay
  • Sink or Float
  • Construction (Build)
  • Destruction (Take Apart)
  • Plant a seed
  • Wisconsin Forests

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Sink Or Float?

Will it sink or will it float?

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Make learning fun ~ Utilize Basic Science Tools

  • Lab Coats
  • Safety Goggles
  • Magnifying Glasses

(Learing Resources -

https://www.learningresources.com/search.do?query=magnifying+glasses

$39.99)

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Safety First!

  • NO eating or drinking science materials.
  • Allergies?
  • Fire safety
  • Potato and Rhubarb Leaves?
  • Seeds - Seed catalogs with NO chemicals!
  • Plants in the room? Some can be poisonous!

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​Amaryllis

​Angel's trumpet

​Arrowhead vine

​Azalea

Bittersweet

​Black locust

​​Boston ivy

Caladium

​Calla lily

​Castor bean

​Chinese lantern

​Chrysanthemum

​Clematis

​Cotoneaster

Crocus, autumn​​

Croton

Cyclamen​​

Daffodil​

​Daisy

​Delphinium

​Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)

Elephant's ear

​English ivy

​​Eucalyptus

​Euonymus

Foxglove

​​Gladiola

​Holly

Horse chestnut

​​Hyacinth

​Hydrangea

​Iris

Jack-in-the-pulpit

​​Jequirity bean

Jerusalem cherry

​Jimson weed

​Larkspur

​Lily-of-the-valley

​​Lobelia

​Lupine

Marijuana

​​Milkweed

​Mistletoe

Monkshood

​Morning glory

​Mother-in-law plant

​​Mother-in-law's tongue

Narcissus

​Nightshade

​Oleander

​Peony

​Periwinkle (Vinca)

​Philodendron

​​Poison ivy

​Pokeweed

​Potato (all green parts)

​Pothos

​Rhododendron

Rhubarb leaves

​​Rosary bean​

Snake berry

​Snow on the Mountain

​​Star of Bethlehem

St. John's Wort

​​Tobacco

Tomato (plant and unripe fruit)

​Virginia creeper

​Water hemlock

​​Wisteria

​Yew

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Incorporate “STEAM” activities

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Maker Space

Making robots with our study buddies!

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Design a House!

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Making a chair for baby bear!

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100 marshmallows +

100 toothpicks =

100 tons of FUN!

Gingerbread

Houses with our Study Buddies was fun!

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Additional

Steam Ideas:

  • Sock puppets
  • Canoe or Mishoon building
  • Block building
  • A new bed for goldilocks
  • paper airplanes
  • car ramps
  • Birds and butterflies

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Field Trips

  • Apple Orchard
  • Ridges Sanctuary
  • Crossroads at Big Creek
  • Potawatomi State Park
  • Whitefish Dunes State Park
  • Maas Floral & Greenhouse
  • Veterinarian
  • Water Tower
  • Experimental Station
  • Naval Architect
  • Goat Farm
  • The Farm
  • Bakery
  • Coast Guard Station

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Life Cycle Experiences:

Insect Lore ~

Live Butterfly Garden

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Science Night?

Each classroom create a “STEAM” activity to have available. This could be a make and take family project.

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Curriculum Ideas?

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Sensory Bins

Use rubbermaid bins for easy storage!

  • Sand
  • Popcorn - Popped or Unpopped
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Noodles
  • Pumpkin Seeds - Goop
  • Snow
  • Water
  • Rocks
  • Dirt/Seeds/Bark/Pinecones
  • Indian Corn
  • Cooked Spaghetti
  • Dried Beans
  • Dry Cereals of any kind
  • Cooked Spaghetti

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Children need Sensory/Tactile experiences!

Many children lack a strong pencil grip!

http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/201305/Meeting_Sensory_Needs_Thompson_0513.pdf

The above is a great article for sensory integration.

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Why so many children can’t sit still?

The problem: children are constantly in an upright position these days. It is rare to find children rolling down hills, climbing trees, and spinning in circles just for fun. Merry-go-rounds and teeter-totters are a thing of the past. Recess times have shortened due to increasing educational demands, and children rarely play outdoors due to parental fears, liability issues, and the hectic schedules of modern-day society. Lets face it: Children are not nearly moving enough, and it is really starting to become a problem.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/07/08/why-so-many-kids-cant-sit-still-in-school-today/

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Go Noodle

Check it out! It is FREE!

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Bioblitz

Why do a BioBlitz?

The BioBlitz will enhance learning, invoke an understanding of the scientific method and foster a rich appreciation for God’s beautiful creation.

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Student Participation

  • Students will collect data in the form a field guide.
  • Students will draw a picture and write a description of the various species of plants and animals.
  • Each child will participate according to his/her developmental level.
  • Younger students will be partnered with an upper grade study buddy. This will encourage intergenerational learning.
  • Learning will be enhanced through a variety of cross-curricular activities.

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BioBlitz Organizational Guide

The following web-site contains an excellent tool for setting up a BioBlitz:

http://web2.uconn.edu/mnh/bioblitz/BioBlitzGuide.pdf

I hope to have a variety of support through the retired members of St. Peters. Many will be more available as well as knowledgeable. Each area will have a coordinator to help organize the event and make it run efficiently. They include the following:

  • Food/Beverages
  • Publicity
  • Communication with Sturgeon Bay authorities
  • Set-Up
  • Clean-Up
  • Student Participation - Faculty and Staff of St. Peters Lutheran School

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Website Information

The following is a list of possible sites to peruse to help prepare for the BioBlitz.

God’s creation is amazing!

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God’s Creation is Amazing!