Kindergarten students are naturally curious individuals. Whether it is the fall leaves changing or an insect crawling on the floor, my students have a daily encounter with science that they want to share and explore. I currently have very few tools for my students to use to explore their world.
I teach low income kindergarten students in a small, rural school on the edge of Appalachia.
My students are naturally curious about the world around them. Many of my students have limited exposure at home to the world of science. They love being outside and exploring the school property which includes a creek, two gardens and a bordering farm. Often the time they spend outside at school is the only time they are free to explore the outdoors.
My Project
In the fall, my students are bringing me leaves which have fallen so that I can see "the pretty colors." This will begin a conversation as to why the leaves change colors. We will bring the leaves inside and take turns using the one magnifying glass to observe the leaves closely. We go through the same procedure with other "treasures" they find throughout our day. With the resources provided, my students will be able to explore their world in a variety of ways. They will not have to wait to use a magnifying glass or eye dropper. They will have an alligator grabber (child-friendly tweezers) to pick up the insect they find hiding under a leaf and study up close with the magnifying glass. These discoveries will open up the world of science and the future possibilities for a career when they grow up. They will learn the vocabulary scientists use, learn how to record their discoveries and observations, and develop a love for science.
I want to open up the world of science for my kindergarten students.
I want them to become inquisitive about the world around them. I want them to have opportunities to problem solve and share their discoveries. In doing so, this project may grow a future doctor, researcher, or scientist.
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