Observation of everyday, familiar things
Teaching Tip: Make a science journal with your child. First copy paper that is blank on top but has lines on the bottom. Secondly, have your child either draw a picture, take a picture with a camera, or use pictures from magazines, for the blank space. Underneath, have your child dictate (or write if he can), one or two sentences about the item. It doesn’t have to be perfect nor does your child have to think profoundly about each item. However, you will quickly discover that when you’ve found something that sparks your child’s interest, you will have to look up answers to all his questions!
Common animals and plants
Our absolute favorite way to study animals is via webcam. I’ve listed a few here to get you started. Last year we watched a panda being born, feeding time for the tigers and apes going bonkers!
Teaching Tip: Take a baby food jar, a moistened paper towel, and a bean. Wrap the paper towel around the inside of the baby food jar, and put the bean in between the paper towel and the glass. Within a few days, your bean should start to burst open and within a week it should start to sprout. Of course take note of any changes every other day. (Changes will not be significant enough on a daily basis to hold the attention of a 5 year old.) Try turning the jar on it’s side to find out which way the bean will sprout?!
Interrelationships of animals and plants
This website has an excellent section entitled, “Who Eats What?” and also has a great resource library.
Farm animals
Teaching Tip: Everyone should go visit a farm at least once. Make a day trip and go pet the animals, pick apples or milk a cow.
Care of pets
Teaching Tip: If possible, get a pet. That’s the best way to learn. However, if you’re not willing to make that type of commitment, consider instead a pet rock. Have your child carry it every where, paint it, name it etc. Have your child keep track of a checklist of daily care “chores” and don’t forget to keep a tally of how much money it could cost. The experiment may prove that your child isn’t quite ready for the responsibility of a “real” pet.
Indoor plants
Teaching Tip: Again, the best way to learn about plants is to actually grow them. Get yourself a plant to take care of. Have your child keep track of how the plant is doing and what he has to do to take care of it.
The sun: our principal source of energy
Dr. E’s solar energy lab has a coloring book about solar energy that you can print out and your child can color.
Weather and seasons
Teaching Tip: Keep track of the weather. It is great for observation skills and math practice.
Make Your Own Weather Station I admit that this is a bit ambitious. But it’s still fun to make the stuff and use it. This is a great project to do with an older sibling.
Temperature
Teaching Tip: At the risk of stating the obvious, get a thermometer and practice taking the temperature. Don’t just limit yourself to outside. Take the temperature in the freezer, in the refrigerator and next to the radiator. Measurement is an important science processing skill.
Light & Colors
Click here for an informative website that has activities to do.
Teaching Tip: It is also worth mentioning that if you don’t have a prism, you should get one. There is nothing that is more simple and yet demonstrates the idea of light containing all the colors better.
Senses
Come To Your Senses is a Thinkquest site that will explain everything you need to know.
Earth, moon, stars, planets
One of the best ways to learn about space and earth is to go to the experts! Check out the activities on the NASA kid’s pages. I have honestly found that I need to make things a little easier for my younger kids, but space especially, proves to be so interesting to them, that they’re willing to work a little harder as well!
Simple measurement
Teaching Tip: My favorite way to teach concepts in volume measurement is in the kitchen! Let your child help you bake and do all the measuring himself. Showing him how four ¼ cups will make a whole will help him understand basic concepts in measurement.
Of course life is not just about measuring ingredients for cookies! You can also have your child take out a ruler and measure several of his favorite toys.
Related Articles:
What Your Kindergardner Needs to Know: Social Studies
What Your Kindergartner Should Know: Language Arts