Easy science experiments
Organize for easy science experiments
Organizing for easy science experiments in your classroom can be difficult when you already have a busy schedule. It is tempting to give students worksheets about science, rather than coordinating lessons to include actual investigations.
I tried to have a weekly teacher led experiment, as well as science activities that the children could perform independently at a science center. This page focuses on the teacher led experiments.
Structure easy science experiments into your schedule
Planning your year ahead of time to include easy science experiments is helpful. Before I was organized in this area, I found myself guiltily thinking, "I should be doing more science experiments" or "I wonder what science experiments I can do for this theme".
If you plan your year by themes, begin by planning two easy science experiments per theme. When you plan the following year, add another two experiments to your theme and you will soon have plenty of weekly experiments.
Create a science experiment routine
Making an effort to plan the experiments and gather the materials necessary to perform them, made it easier to schedule a weekly experiment time. As the year progresses, the children begin to look forward to the experiments. Every Monday, post that week's experiment on chart paper with a quick illustration and discuss it during Circle times. As always, use every sign in the room as an opportunity to teach letter recognition and phonemic awareness.
Make easy science experiment kits
Beginning a science experiment with your class and then having to run around the room looking for materials does not work well.
Try this for quick results:
- Obtain large easy zip bags
- Use packing tape and attach a list to the outside of the bag stating -
- The theme
- The name of the experiment
- the materials you will need to conduct the experiment
- Put instructions for the experiment in the bag if you think you will need them
- Store all the bags in a science experiment box (a photocopy paper box).
- Keep the box where the students can't reach it.
I like see through bags, as I can easily see what is in each bag, what materials I need to replace, and also, the bags took less storage space than shoe boxes.
Generally, primary students are so curious, a science experiment will start their inquiring minds asking questions and wondering about related concepts.
Share the organizational work
Sharing the organization of easy science experiments with one or two other primary teachers works well. Begin by having each teacher take two themes and research two science experiments for those themes. Have them print out a supply list and directions as mentioned above and purchase the materials.
Keep a list of themes and experiments taped to the outside of the box and store the science experiment box in one of the teacher's classroom where students can't reach it. Sign out the bag when you need to and replenish the bag before returning it. Next year repeat the process of creating more bags and you will have more experiments to choose from.
I have found that repeating the same experiment each year in kindergarten, then again in grade one and two is fine. Most students understand more complex concepts as they get older.
