Early Childhood Center
There are ten units in the science curriculum. They cover everything from seeds to stars. All of them provide children with the opportunity to learn by the best method for preschoolers…”hands-on experience”. Some of the materials included are: magnets, balancing scales, binoculars, seashells, tape measures, seed packets, rocks, insects and spiders (not real), and astronaut figures with their own land-rovers! Each unit also contains a list of suggested children’s books about the subject. See the list below for a description of each unit and some suggested books that you can read at home.
BALANCING/SCALES
What makes the scale go down on one side? Are marbles heavier than seashells? Children love to try to balance things out on the scale. In the process, they learn the concept of weight. A variety of objects will be provided for them to contrast and compare on scales. Suggested books: The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil ice, float water, measure gravity, challenge the world around you, T. Robinson; Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do In Ten Minutes or Less, J. Potter.
BEGINNING MEASUREMENT
Measurement is a skill that children will use all their lives. The measurement unit employs a variety of materials to help students learn to take measurements and compare sizes. They may compare rope lengths, each other’s heights and shoe sizes or fill cups with water and sand to compare volume. Suggested books: How Big Is a Foot, R. Myller; The Hundred Pound Problem, J. Dussling; Inch by Inch, L. Lionni; Tell Me How Far It Is, S. Willis.
EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
Children are fascinated by things that grow! This unit has seeds to plant, gardening tools, rocks and crystals. The students will learn about earth, water, tress, recycling, and how to tell the differences between various plants. Suggested books: The Earth And I, F. Asch; The Lorax, Dr. Seuss; Welcome to the Green House, J. Yolen; W here the Forest Meets the Sea, Baker; A Tree Is Nice, J.M. Udry.
FIVE SENSES
Everything we know comes to us through our senses. This unit contains materials that allow the children to learn about taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. They will also learn about differing abilities and how people overcome the loss of one of their senses. Suggested books: How Do Your Senses Work? J. Tatchell; My Five Senses, Aliki; My Five Senses, Miller; I Thought I Saw, P. Adams.
INSECTS & SPIDERS
Insects and spiders are among the oldest creatures and they can be found everywhere on earth! Students will learn the characteristics and differences between six-legged critters’ and eight-legged critters’. Suggested books: Ant Cities, A. Dorros; Be Nice to Spiders, M. B. Graham; The Lady and the Spider, F. McNulty; The Spider’s Web, C. Back & B. Watts; The Very Busy Spider, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, E. Carle.
MAGNET EXPLORATION
Magnets are magical to children. In this unit, they will explore magnetic forces by using a variety of magnets on metal and non-metal objects. They will learn how magnets work, what they work on, and some uses for magnets in the real world.
MAGNIFICATION
Seeing things grow larger or smaller by looking through a lens is an amazing thing to young children. In this unit, they will explore and compare how natural things change when seen through magnifying glasses, microscopes, mirrors, and binoculars. Suggested books: All About Magnifying Glasses (Do-It-Yourself Science), M. Berger
SEA LIFE
The deep blue sea is filled with unusual and interesting creatures from crabs to whales! This unit provides children with the opportunity to learn about life and creatures under the sea and how it differs from life on land. Suggested books: Fish Eyes, L. Ehlert; A House for Hermit Crab, E. Carle; The Rainbow Fish, M. Pfister; Now I Know What’s Under the Ocean, J. Craig; My Visit to the Aquarium, Aliki; Above and Below the ABseas, C.E. Pearson.
SEASONS & WEATHER
In each Pre-K classroom, one of the children is assigned to give a “weather report” each day to the class. Children at this age are just developing an awareness of weather and the seasons. This unit invites them to identify and compare the seasons and learn about seasonal weather and how it affects all of us. Suggested books: A Child’s Calendar, J. Updike; Snowflake Bentley, Martin; What Will the Weather Be Like Today? P. Rogers; What’s The Weather Today? A. Fowler; The Wind Blew, P. Hutchins; Four Stories for Four Seasons, T. Depaola.
SPACE & SCIENCE
Children are filled with wonder about the sky and its inhabitants, the sun, moon, and stars. In this unit, they will learn about the mysteries of the universe, including that man has walked on the moon! Suggested books: Postcards from Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System, L. Leedy; The Moon, S. Simon; What Next, Baby Bear?, J. Murphy; If You Were An Astronaut, D. Moche; Galaxies, S Simon; The Cut-ups, J. Marshall.
BALANCING/SCALES
What makes the scale go down on one side? Are marbles heavier than seashells? Children love to try to balance things out on the scale. In the process, they learn the concept of weight. A variety of objects will be provided for them to contrast and compare on scales. Suggested books: The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil ice, float water, measure gravity, challenge the world around you, T. Robinson; Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do In Ten Minutes or Less, J. Potter.
BEGINNING MEASUREMENT
Measurement is a skill that children will use all their lives. The measurement unit employs a variety of materials to help students learn to take measurements and compare sizes. They may compare rope lengths, each other’s heights and shoe sizes or fill cups with water and sand to compare volume. Suggested books: How Big Is a Foot, R. Myller; The Hundred Pound Problem, J. Dussling; Inch by Inch, L. Lionni; Tell Me How Far It Is, S. Willis.
EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
Children are fascinated by things that grow! This unit has seeds to plant, gardening tools, rocks and crystals. The students will learn about earth, water, tress, recycling, and how to tell the differences between various plants. Suggested books: The Earth And I, F. Asch; The Lorax, Dr. Seuss; Welcome to the Green House, J. Yolen; W here the Forest Meets the Sea, Baker; A Tree Is Nice, J.M. Udry.
FIVE SENSES
Everything we know comes to us through our senses. This unit contains materials that allow the children to learn about taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. They will also learn about differing abilities and how people overcome the loss of one of their senses. Suggested books: How Do Your Senses Work? J. Tatchell; My Five Senses, Aliki; My Five Senses, Miller; I Thought I Saw, P. Adams.
INSECTS & SPIDERS
Insects and spiders are among the oldest creatures and they can be found everywhere on earth! Students will learn the characteristics and differences between six-legged critters’ and eight-legged critters’. Suggested books: Ant Cities, A. Dorros; Be Nice to Spiders, M. B. Graham; The Lady and the Spider, F. McNulty; The Spider’s Web, C. Back & B. Watts; The Very Busy Spider, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, E. Carle.
MAGNET EXPLORATION
Magnets are magical to children. In this unit, they will explore magnetic forces by using a variety of magnets on metal and non-metal objects. They will learn how magnets work, what they work on, and some uses for magnets in the real world.
MAGNIFICATION
Seeing things grow larger or smaller by looking through a lens is an amazing thing to young children. In this unit, they will explore and compare how natural things change when seen through magnifying glasses, microscopes, mirrors, and binoculars. Suggested books: All About Magnifying Glasses (Do-It-Yourself Science), M. Berger
SEA LIFE
The deep blue sea is filled with unusual and interesting creatures from crabs to whales! This unit provides children with the opportunity to learn about life and creatures under the sea and how it differs from life on land. Suggested books: Fish Eyes, L. Ehlert; A House for Hermit Crab, E. Carle; The Rainbow Fish, M. Pfister; Now I Know What’s Under the Ocean, J. Craig; My Visit to the Aquarium, Aliki; Above and Below the ABseas, C.E. Pearson.
SEASONS & WEATHER
In each Pre-K classroom, one of the children is assigned to give a “weather report” each day to the class. Children at this age are just developing an awareness of weather and the seasons. This unit invites them to identify and compare the seasons and learn about seasonal weather and how it affects all of us. Suggested books: A Child’s Calendar, J. Updike; Snowflake Bentley, Martin; What Will the Weather Be Like Today? P. Rogers; What’s The Weather Today? A. Fowler; The Wind Blew, P. Hutchins; Four Stories for Four Seasons, T. Depaola.
SPACE & SCIENCE
Children are filled with wonder about the sky and its inhabitants, the sun, moon, and stars. In this unit, they will learn about the mysteries of the universe, including that man has walked on the moon! Suggested books: Postcards from Pluto: A Tour of the Solar System, L. Leedy; The Moon, S. Simon; What Next, Baby Bear?, J. Murphy; If You Were An Astronaut, D. Moche; Galaxies, S Simon; The Cut-ups, J. Marshall.