Shakers and a Science Experiment

 Today we continued our exploration of Thanksgiving by using popcorn to make shakers and then again for a science experiment!

Scooping and pouring is an important and favorite skill for our toddlers. Making our shakers was a fun way to practice this skill. We got to hear many of our friends say "scoop" and "pour." They loved watching the popcorn fall through the funnel and used problem solving skills to figure out that we needed to shake the funnel a little bit when the popcorn got stuck in the funnel. Later we had fun listening to the different sounds the popcorn made in different containers. One of our favorite songs is so simple and is an old Gymboree standby. Ms. Krysti sings (to the tune of "The Farmer In The Dell") "Shake and shake and shake, and shake and shake and shake, shake and shake and shake and shake, and shake and shake and shake." 

Then we used our scientist brains and made popcorn dance! We started with a jar filled with two cups of water.

Then we added two tablespoons of baking soda.

Then we had to stir so the baking soda would dissolve in the water.

Next we added one scoop of popcorn kernels.

Ms. Krysti added some vinegar and we got to see the popcorn kernels dance. We added a little more vinegar and the kernels danced more! We also found out that when the jar was by our CD player, the music caused enough vibration to make the kernels dance again.

Outside, we found some rakes on the playground that our friends from Maon allowed us to borrow for some "yard work."

Before lunch, we took trips as small groups to the Atelier to work on a project for Thanksgiving. We are hoping that our friends from other classes will get a chance to add to the project!

We have the most fun in our classroom! The children love to watch their bigger friends play on the playground. They get just as excited to see them as they do their friends in the class! We are also seeing them get more creative and brave in the way they play in the classroom. It is amazing to see their problem solving and motor planning skills as they try to climb in or out or on or off of different parts of the classroom.

Indiana Early Learning Foundations:

M1.1: Imitate verbal counting sequence not necessarily in order

M2.2: Follow along and imitate patterns of sounds and movement

M5.2: Explore measurement using nonstandard tools

SE1.1: Show sense of self satisfaction with own abilities and preferences

APL1.2: Use active exploration to solve a problem

APL4.1: Participate in play activities with a small group of children for short periods of time

SC1.1: Notice and react to cause and effect within the physical environment

SC5.1: Solve problems using trial and error

CA1.1: Produce rhythmic patterns to familiar songs

CA3.1: Enjoy repetition of materials and experiences