Future Scientists Discovering Their World!
Funded Jan 3, 2014The reaction from my students when we opened the boxes containing our new science materials was priceless! Their little fingers, eyes, and minds couldn't wait to 'play with' (learn from :)) the magnifying glasses, binoculars, magnets, and root-vue. After discussing the many adventures we would have with these tools, they went to work 'discovering their world!'
We incorporated these resources into our everyday instruction. Soon after each child planted their own seeds, we experienced the miracle of growth right inside our classroom walls. They were examining, measuring, and learning all about the plants they were growing. Students were watching birds outside our windows as we discussed living and non-living things. The magnets were used as an exploratory project and the 'truths' they came up with about magnets after many days of work and discovery were incredible. My little learners also used the magnets to sort magnetic vs. non-magnetic objects and they concluded why each would belong in each category.
It has been so powerful for me to see the three, four, and five-year-olds in my classroom discovering their world and begin to answer the question of "Why?" They can tell you why plants grow and why magnets 'stick' to some things and not others because of their own experiments and play. I didn't have to TELL them, rather had the privilege of guiding them along their road to discovery, and letting the TELL me! These resources have provided my students with many authentic, meaningful learning experiences that will last a lifetime. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. H