One of the first and most important Science lessons at the beginning of the year for me is What is a Scientist and What are Science Tools! As my junior scientists prepare to explore all the new things that they will be learning this year, we first take a dive into what it means to be a scientist, who they are, and what tools they use to study, learn, and discover about life!
When discussing science tools, I love to sit in a circle with my junior scientists and investigate closely at each tool that we will be using this year. This is a great opportunity for my students to share their background knowledge and ask questions. This is also a great chance for me to go over rules for using each tool before our exploration time.
After our whole-group discussion, I explain to my students that they will be rotating through five centers to explore each tool. I then introduce the centers and go over the procedure on how we would rotate after every five minutes. Once five minutes is up, I will say clean up and students will gently clean up their area and place the tools on the table. Then when I say go, students will tippy-toe to the next center clockwise. Below are the centers. To purchase the materials, click to the images.
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Center 1: Testing Thermometers
Fill three three bins with luke warm water, room temperature water, and water with ice. Students will take turns placing a thermometer in each bin to see how the liquid in the thermometer changes due to the varying water temperatures.
Center 2: Picking Up Playdoh Balls with Tweezers
Center 3: Seeing Objects Up-Close
Place sand, samples of bird feathers, rocks, seashells, or anything that students can look closely at on a tray. Using hand lens and a microscope, students will take turns making observations and sharing what they see.
Center 4: Weighing Weights
Place two balances in a center with different weights. Students will explore weighing weights and comparing each bucket on the balance.
Center 5: Transferring Liquids
In this center, students will wear goggles as scientists do, and transfer water from a beaker using a droppers into a test tube.
If you need additional resources, click to view my What is a Scientist and Science Tools Packet and more below!
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