Provide learning experiences in an ocean-themed science center.
Place an ocean of hands-on learning on a table in your preschool or kindergarten classroom. When you set up an ocean themed science center, children are excited to spend time there, exploring books and items to learn about the sea. During a classroom study of oceans and sea life, the addition of an ocean science center supplements group instruction and work sheet activities. To maximize enjoyment in the center, limit center visitors to two or three children at a time.
Instructions
1. Designate a table in the classroom to become the ocean themed science center. Place the table against a wall.
2. Hang posters and photographs of the ocean on the wall, above the table. Cut out letters, from blue construction paper, to spell the words, "Ocean Science Center." Tape the words to the wall, above the posters and photographs.
3. Visit the library to borrow picture-filled, non-fiction books about the ocean. Stack the books in a basket. Place the basket of ocean themed books on a corner of the table.
4. Fill small containers with sand, shells and other ocean-themed items. Look for shells and sand at craft stores. Buy other sea items --- sand dollars, starfish and dried sea plants --- at a museum or aquarium gift shop. Label each container of items. Set the containers in the center of the table. Place magnifying glasses next to the containers.
5. Fill two, clear plastic, lidded containers with water. Add salt to one of the containers. Label the containers, "Salt Water," and "Fresh Water." Place the containers on the table. Set plastic droppers and coffee filters in a basket near the water, so children can draw water from each jar, place drops onto the filters, then make observations.
6. Place a checklist containing a short description of each item on the wall and the table. Ask children to check things off as they locate and explore items in the center. Send the checklists home so each child can share his discoveries in the ocean science center with his family.
Tags: science center, center Place, containers with, ocean science, ocean themed, posters photographs