Wednesday, December 9, 2015

4th Day of Winter: 4 Science and Social Studies Activities

Ready for some more great ideas?



The Primary Peach gave to meeeeee...


It's Jivey and Valerie, from Georgia Grown Kiddos, here to bring you some science and social studies FUN! First up, Jivey is going to share some things you can do in the upper grades.

SCIENCE: If you teach the weather cycle, this freebie will be great for you! Already taught it? No worries! It will be a great review, and you'll get in some awesome test prep, too. Your kids will be amazed at how snowflakes form and how different each one is, as well as how "Snowflake Bentley" was able to capture these unique crystals on film! Although it's geared for 4th-8th, 3rd-grade teachers, you could do this with some scaffolding and assistance in small groups very easily! You can read more about using this set of paired texts in this post!

SOCIAL STUDIES: Do you love teaching about the American Revolution as much as I do? Then you will LOVE this book! When Washington Crossed the Delaware is a very different kind of Christmas story, as Washington and his men crossed the icy Delaware River to surprise the Hessians:

It has beautiful pictures, as well as real quotes from some of the famous men of the time. You can also provide a little comic relief with this silly Sesame Street skit:


YES EVEN THE BIG KIDS LOVE SESAME STREET! My kids died laughing every year when I showed this!

Now, Valerie is going to share some science and social studies excitement for the young ones!

Hi y'all!  Thanks Jivey for the intro and sharing the day with me!  I have a super exciting activity for anyone, but especially the young ones!  I warn you; I love to make a mess and let the children play with it and get everything they can from the activity.  I saw this yesterday, and it pretty much sums up my approach to the day.



Now, on to the fun!

SCIENCE: I am inspired by Growing A Jeweled Rose to make this "learning experience".  It is Santa Toothpaste. Children can see and feel what happens when 2 or more solutions are combined.


To make Santa toothpaste you will need the following items.  Make sure you read through to the *tips list.

1 cup 6% or higher Hydrogen Peroxide*
1 squeeze dish soap*
desired amount green or red food coloring
desired amount peppermint extract
desired amount glitter, sparkles, fun add-ins
3 Tablespoons yeast*
6 Tablespoons warm water
empty water or similar bottle

*Tips:
  • Dish soap- use a light colored liquid if possible, so the food coloring shows more true color.
  • 6% Hydrogen peroxide is sold in beauty supply stores and pharmacy stores
  • Using regular hydrogen peroxide will work, but it will not be as dramatic of a reaction.  (that is what I used)
  • Use fresh yeast packs.  It will take 3 small packs to make 3 tablespoons
  • Complete the activity somewhere you can spray off (we did ours on the driveway) or can get messy.
Directions:
Combine the following in the water bottle, careful not to shake the bottle,
  • 6% or higher Hydrogen Peroxide*
  • dish soap*
  • green or red food coloring
  • peppermint extract
  • glitter, sparkles, fun add-ins
Once you have combined the solution, gently swirl the ingredients together.  

In a separate container, add the warm water and yeast together and mix until there are no lumps in the solution.

Add the yeast solution quickly to the bottle of the first solution.  


The reaction is quick so be ready!


SOCIAL STUDIES: Santa needs help!!  You need social studies skill review.  Here is a solution for you both!  Santa is lost and will need the children's help to travel around the world.  This social studies freebie uses the continents and oceans as a way to help Santa find his way around the world. Click on the image below to link to the download.



Make sure to come back tomorrow for three MORE ideas- this time for seasonal writing!



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