Contact_FullName: Cynthia

Contact_Email: cindyc4000@netzero.net

Area: Thanksgiving - Science

Idea:

Leaf sun-catchers:

Lay a piece of contact paper on the table, sticky side up, and allow the children to stick their leaves, even the crushed ones, on to the contact paper. Place another piece of contact paper sticky side down, on top to the masterpiece of leaves. The next day allow the children to cut out 2, 1/2 page construction papers stapled together, where you have drawn a leaf pattern the size of the page. Teacher later cuts out the middle, and the Leaf/contact paper masterpiece is framed with the leaf cut-out and either hung from the ceiling w/fishing string (fire safety), or tape to the window to catch the suns rays! Enjoy

Contact_FullName: Cynthia

Contact_Email: Cindyc4000@netzero.net

Area: Thanksgiving - Science

Idea:

Sink vs. Float - Sensory table: On a near by table two boxes one marked: sink and the other float.

In the water table put sm. plastic pumpkins, pumpkin shaped buttons, napkin rings (fall design), (things of different weights, sizes, volume, flat, round.... When a teacher is participating with the children in any activity they are able to give rich language, and vocabulary. The children are then able to share this vocabulary with each other.

Contact_FullName: Cynthia Castillo

Contact_Email: cindyc4000@netzero.net

Area: Thanksgiving: Science

Idea:

We use a pumpkin to introduce our Thanksgiving Month. We Celebrate all of the things that God has given us, and for all the things that grow. We start with a pumpkin in the science center. The children are allowed to observe, touch, examine ( with magnifying glasses). The children are allowed to hold the pumpkin ONLY with the assistance of the teacher. As a group the children measure the "circumference" (science terminology & Vocabulary) Weigh the pumpkin, and discuss what might be inside the pumpkin. Teacher made a list as the children each guessed at what might be "inside" the pumpkin. The list was then discussed the next day before teacher cut open the pumpkin revealing the "seeds" that were inside, along with the mush. The children then played with insides of the pumpkin in the sensory table. Teacher took home the pumpkin and cleaned and cooked it. The next day the children made mini pumpkin pies with the fresh pumpkin. The children have been re-playing all of these activities in the home center where they have been using a pumpkin, and only the safe tools that were used to complete our activities. They have been using notepads to make lists and have taped them up in the Home center.

Contact_FullName: Kimberly

Contact_Email: kimbakes@yahoo.com

Area: Science/Discovery

Idea:

During our unit of study on Thanksgiving, we put some plain corn kernels in Ziploc bags with food coloring and vinegar. We used red, blue, green and yellow, so we needed four bags. After pouring the corn into the bags, we had the children help us manipulate the Ziploc bags around so that all the kernels would be saturated with the color.

Next, we laid all the colored kernels out on paper towels to dry. Later, we popped some of the kernels in an air popper. Prior to this, the children voted on whether they thought the popped corn would be colored or white.

We found that the popcorn was not colored on the inside, and that it was fluffy and white.

Finally, we put all the popped corn into the sand table in our Discovery center. It was fun and very versatile in the various ways we could use it! The children weighed the popcorn, compared the kernels and dictated their observations to us, counted and sorted, balanced and studied it through magnifying glasses.

This week, we will empty the sand table, but we'll use the popped corn to add to bird feeders that their children are making! Boy, that $1 bag if popcorn certainly went a long way!!!