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When it comes to Homeschooling it is necessary to admit your strengths and weaknesses. I am not strong in math, and while science is interesting, I am not that great when it comes to that either. However, I am creative and I love to learn- two traits that helps significantly when it comes to creating lessons and activities to do with my 4 year old. It also helps to have resources like Sid the Science Kid, a PBS show focusing on science exploration and research. The lesson/activity that follows was inspired by the Frozen Fruit investigation episode. This is a four day exploratory activity.

What We will Learn: What are the reversible changes of melting and freezing? How do different liquids change when they are frozen and melted?

Materials Needed Day 1:

• 1 ice cube tray
• pitcher or cups of water
• Exploration Notebook (we use a wire bound cork sketch book)
• vocabulary sheet
• crayons and pencils
  

Materials Day 2:

• Everything from above
• a bowl
• 4-6 different liquids (we used milk, juice, olive oil, olive oil and water, bubbles)
• Hot water

Day One

• Explore the concept of “LIQUID” and examine the water in the containers or cups.
  • “  “When something is in liquid form, it takes on the shape of its container. Water is a liquid.”
• Allow child to draw ice trays, water in container, etc. in Exploration notebook.
• Help child pour water into the ice tray. You do not have to fill them. If you want, add fruit to each as done by Sid’s teacher.
• Allow child to draw what he/she observes.
• Put ice tray in the freezer and ask child what he/she predicts will happen.

Day Two

• Pull the ice tray out of the freezer and allow child… Continue reading →