Access to Life Science: Investigation Starters for Preschool, Kindergarten and the Primary Grades

By Shauna M. Adams Ed.D. and Joy L. Comingore M.A.

The investigations are designed to be used by teachers, family child care providers and others who work with and care for young children.

 

There are 2 series of investigation sample books:

 

• One series is designed for preschool and kindergarten age children and, with minor adjustments, can be appropriate for children in the primary grades.

• The second series is designed for infants and toddlers.

 

Each investigation contains a series of engaging, open-ended experiences that inspire curiosity and inquiry as young children investigate important science topics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493166596

Shauna M. Adams Ed.D.

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Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Shauna M. Adams, Ed.D. and Joy L. Comingore, M.A.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014901450

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4931-6658-9

      eBook         978-1-4931-6659-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 04/12/2014

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

549368

Contents

ACCESS to Life Science: Investigation Starters for Preschool, Kindergarten and the Primary Grades

Acknowledgements

ACCESS to Science Investigations

Inspiring Wonder and Curiosity in Young Children

ACCESS to Science Series

Chapter 1

Young Scientist

By Lydia Bardua and Katie Bunce,

University of Dayton, Early Childhood program graduates

and

Joy Comingore,

Bombeck Family Learning Center Curriculum Specialist

Chapter 2

Life Cycle 1 Metamorphose

By

Laura Jones,

Literacy Specialist, Montgomery County

Educational Service Center, State Support

Team 10;

Former Preschool Teacher,

The University of Dayton Bombeck Family

Learning Center

Chapter 3

Life Cycle 2 Plants and Mammals

By

Laura Jones

Literacy Specialist, Montgomery County

Educational Service Center, State Support Team 10;

Former Preschool Teacher,

The University of Dayton Bombeck Family Learning Center

Chapter 4

Seeds and Plants

By

Susan Hampel, Preschool Teacher

and

Joy Comingore, Curriculum Specialist

University of Dayton Bombeck Family Learning Center

Chapter 5

Our Bodies

By

Susan Hampel, Preschool Teacher

and

Joy Comingore, Curriculum Specialist

University of Dayton Bombeck Family Learning Center

Chapter 6

Beaks and Feet Form and Function

By

Lisa Grabiel, First Grade Teacher

St. Peter Catholic School,

Huber Heights, Ohio

ACCESS to Life Science: Investigation Starters for Preschool, Kindergarten and the Primary Grades

Edited by:

Shauna M. Adams, Ed.D. and Joy L. Comingore, M.A.

Developed and piloted at the

Bombeck Family Learning Center of the

University of Dayton under the coordination of

Joy L. Comingore, M.A. and Shauna M. Adams, Ed.D.

University of Dayton Science Content Consultants for ACCESS to Science Series:

Diana Hunn, Ph.D., Science Education Faculty

Mary Kay Kelly, Ph.D., Science Education Faculty

Todd Smith, Ph.D., Physics Faculty

Michael Sandy, Ph.D., Geology Faculty

Kenya Crosson, Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Cover Design by:

Meredith Adams, B.F.A.

Production Assistance:

Deborah Frank, M.S.

Sharon Mize,

Jessica Pike, M.S.

Edited by:

Stan Adams, M.S.

Rebecca Aicher, M.A.

Chelsea Burns, B.A.

These materials were funded through a generous gift from the Ray and Joan Kroc Foundation

to the Salvation Army.

© 2013. All rights reserved.

Attention Teachers, Providers, Directors and Administrators: The activity cards, assessments and other print matter associated with these experiences are available at www.ACCESScurriculum.com. Inquiries can be sent to the Bombeck Family Learning Center, University of Dayton, and 941 Alberta St., Dayton, Ohio 45409. Tel [phone].

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the staff, children and families of the Bombeck Family Learning Center who inspired this work.

ACCESS to Science Investigations

How the investigations are to be used

The investigations are designed to be used by teachers, family child care providers and others who work with and care for young children.

There are 2 series of investigation sample books:

•   One series is designed for preschool and kindergarten age children and, with minor adjustments, can be appropriate for children in the primary grades.

•   The second series is designed for infants and toddlers.

Each investigation contains a series of engaging, open-ended experiences that inspire curiosity and inquiry as young children investigate important science topics.

Benefits of the investigations

One of the many benefits of the investigations is that children learn and talk about science concepts. The investigations have been designed to encourage children to talk about what they are learning with an adult and, when possible, with other children. Research shows that these kinds of interactions grow children’s brains and also lead to stronger literacy skills and school success.

The investigations are designed to support and expand the science content knowledge of both children and adults. Science and engineering faculty from the University of Dayton were consulted in the development of the investigations in order to ensure the accuracy of the science content presented.

More about the investigations

•   Developed and field tested by early childhood teachers, the investigations contain experience cards with step-by-step directions for the adults. Also included is a list of questions designed to encourage curiosity and inquiry as well as a description of what the children will learn during the experience.

•   For those adults who wish to understand more about the experiences and what children are learning, the reverse side of each experience card includes a list of the materials needed for the investigation, content standards covered in the experience and ideas for how to extend learning.

•   Other print materials include assessment tools, observation records, picture cards and posters which can be downloaded at www.accesscurriculum.com. High quality children’s literature (both nonfiction and fiction) and science reference materials for both child and adult use are identified.

•   The investigations suggest a variety of tools and supplies designed to allow children to investigate the science concepts in a hands-on and developmentally appropriate manner.

Safety first

•   All experiences are designed for children to engage in learning with an adult and are not intended for children to use without adult supervision.

•   Some investigations contain choking hazards and are not designed for use with children under 3 years of age.

Inspiring Wonder and Curiosity

in Young Children

LEARNING: Inspired not Forced

Young children are unique learners who benefit most when they are inspired to learn. Forcing young children to learn is typically not productive and can be harmful. The ACCESS to Science Investigations have been developed to include very enticing materials that most young children find hard to resist. We ask adults to stage the setting so that the materials entice children to want to participate in the learning experience.

After years of learning with young children, the creators of these investigations have come to understand that young learners are often highly motivated to explore the world around them especially when new and novel materials or cool stuff is included. Children need to hook new information onto something familiar which is why the topics chosen for the investigations are centered on the science that exists in the children’s everyday world.

INTERACTION: A Brain Builder

Some have asked why the investigations focus on science and not literacy or mathematics. Our goal is to provide experiences that have the most impact on how children’s brains develop. We have come to understand that children who have exposure to a lot of words have more successful learning experiences in the future. The ACCESS to Science Investigations are designed to encourage adults and children to talk about new ideas. The materials are very hands-on but the interaction leads to minds-on activity that comes when children explore important questions deeply. Mathematics and literacy are included in meaningful and connected ways throughout the investigations.

Designed with Development in Mind

Children between the ages of birth and eight are unique in the way they learn and develop. Teaching young learners using the same techniques as those used with older students is typically not effective and may even be harmful. Children in this age group have brains, nervous systems and muscles that are very different from older students. These differences cause children to need to move and talk more. Young learners also often have difficulty controlling impulses, understanding their emotions and sharing and taking turns with others. It is important for adults to understand that these traits are typical for the age. Development cannot be forced and should be looked at as opportunities for teaching and learning.

In order to support development, ACCESS to Science Investigations has been designed to allow children to move around and to manipulate a wide variety of materials. Social interaction is encouraged as children talk with adults and with peers. The learning experiences are open-ended and children have a high degree of success. The investigations are designed to be used with small groups so that children can be successful in developing social skills while they work with others. Materials have been selected that allow children to develop their hand muscles without straining them.

The role of the adult is to inspire inquiry in positive and inviting ways. Young children learn to be friendly and gentle from friendly and gentle adults. Our hope is that adults will help children to continue their love of learning.

ACCESS to Science Series

Investigation Descriptions

Preschool—Kindergarten Investigations

1 Beaks & Feet- Form and Function

By Lisa Grabiel, Teacher, St. Peter Catholic School.

Explores the relationship between form and function of bird beaks and feet, including how beak design directs how birds feed and what they eat and how feet design directs how birds hunt, seek food, and move.

2 Building Bridges

By Ashley Smith, Bombeck Center Director, Michelle Donley and Susan Madison, Bombeck Preschool Teachers.

Examines simple building design and concepts of shape and strength.

3 Kitchen Chemistry

By Ashley Smith, Susan Madison, Bombeck Preschool Teachers and Joy Comingore, Bombeck Curriculum Specialist.

Explores basic mixtures of liquid and solids and concepts of solutions, colloids, and suspensions.

4 Life Cycles 1—Metamorphose

By Laura Jones, Former Bombeck Preschool Teacher; Literacy Specialist, Montgomery County Educational Service Center.

Examines the life cycle of the butterfly, frog and mealworm.

5 Life Cycles 2—Plants and Mammals

By Laura Jones, Former Bombeck Preschool Teacher; Literacy Specialist, Montgomery County Educational Service Center.

Examines the life cycle of plants (basil), people, dogs, and other mammals.

6 Light

By Michelle Donley, Bombeck Preschool Teacher.

Explores the properties of light including reflection, refraction and color.

7 Magnets

By Laura Jones, Former Bombeck Preschool Teacher; Literacy Specialist, Montgomery County Educational Service Center.

Examines the properties of magnets, strength, ferromagnetic materials and everyday uses for magnets.

8 Young Scientist

By Lydia Bardua and Katie Bunce, UD ECE program graduates and Joy Comingore, Bombeck Curriculum Specialist.

Explores the tools and processes that scientists use.

9 Our Bodies

By Susan Hampel, Bombeck Preschool Teacher