Serious Science for Littles

[annisis]

Woo! I've been gone for a while. Things got a little crazy (and still are!). I thought I'd pop in and share my plans for science for my 3 year old and a link to a playlist I put together for him for our current topic.

After jumping around here and there in the subject of science with Josiah, I have realized this kid really really likes serious science topics and not just the scratch the surface intro stuff that most early curriculums teach. He also doesn't care for coloring and writing which makes finding a curriculum or putting one together difficult at times. I should note that his favorite book of all time is The Human Body Book. It's an advanced level human anatomy book with amazing diagrams from DK. Kid loves it.

So I have decided to pull together some grade school resources and combine them with youtube videos, Peter Weatherall, really cool diagrams, and whatever else I can find to create his perfect curriculum. We are starting with an in depth study of the atom including subatomic particles and perhaps quarks soon. The resources I am combining are typical Montessori science activities, Building Foundations for Scientific Understanding, and Real Science 4 Kids very soon. And again whatever else I can find as you will see from observation that none of these include anything on atomic structure. Basically, we are starting as small as possible and building up to eventually the Cosmos. In Real Science 4 Kids, we will be using the texts only and I am thinking about building my own activities and possibly coloring sheets (real science diagrams seems to be something I can get him to color easily). We'll begin with Chem, move into physics, followed by Biology, Geology and then Astronomy, keeping in tune with the whole starting small and working up to the big stuff.

By the way, this does not mean we won't be dabbling in whatever we happen to come across that sparks our interest, especially since his interest is very easily peaked in science. I simply want us to linger on a subject long enough for it to stick long term and to give us the opportunity to think about how it applies to everything around us i.e. What does an atom have to do with your heart? What does an atom have to do with the wind? etc etc.

I am documenting this putting it on a big poster in the coolest artsy way mom can come up with and hanging it in his room for daily review.

So, without further ado, here is my playlist (lemme know if it doesn't work):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC81C8B61651E47AF

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLC81C8B61651E47AF&amp;hl=en_US" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And here's a really awful picture of our poster so far. :P

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56913274@N07/7557704694/

[Mandabplus3]

Sounds great. Will check out the playlist when I get home.
If you want " real science" colouring in stuff, try amazon. They have quite a few real anatomy colouring in books and I saw one on plants and another on smaller molecules.
Oh and just for fun blood can be represented quite well with red water, cherries and marshmallows LOL looks disgusting but kids never forget it!

[A_BC]

Thx annisis for the youtube playlist! I am gonna show my toddler the first video right away. He's so into atoms right now. Two weeks ago,  we found a book at the library friends sale entitled "The incredible Journey to the edge of the universe/ The Incredible Journey to the Center of the Atom". They are actually 2 books in 1, from the universe to the particles (quarks) and the other way back. You just turn the book over to read the second one! It is is out of print now but if you are interested you can purchase it here: http://www.abebooks.com/9780888506023/Incredible-Journey-Centre-Atom-Edge-0888506023/plp

It has very clear illustrations that are toddler friendly.

I came across this video where a toddler is studying physics:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fx4XS2Y1GXo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Fx4XS2Y1GXo&rel=1</a>

His parents have launched a quite interesting website about new educational strategies: http://www.robesongroup.org/

[annisis]

Mandaplus3,

We did that one (with the blood) we used cheerios cotton balls and then rice for platelets. He loved it so much he carried it around for two days until I finally poured it out (yuck!) and had to do it again per request. And then we did it with my niece who also loved it.

A_BC,

That book sounds awesome and up my little man's alley!

I am actually thinking about putting together an actual curriculum that I might sell as an elementary Intro to Atoms course. I drew up some cute figures for subatomic particles today and brainstormed a few ideas. I am thinking of creating a few readers, worksheets, maybe an atom timeline. Dunno, we'll see what time allows for! I attached my characters for ogling.

[annisis]

A_BC,

I'm watching this video and halfway through I have to stop and say how freakin' adorable this kid is! He is so darn cute!!

[Mandabplus3]

Oh yes I loved the video! Love the way he has been taught with models, grapes and balls! So child friendly! And so much more real than memorizing the periodic table alone!
I wonder what those little wooden models look like close up? I would love for my kids to make themselves a set of those! Any thoughts?
I like the physical representations of science stuff the kids can't actually see.
Oh I just bought a portable mini jewelers microscope ( x45) from eBay for under $3. It has a light, can't wait until it turns up, kids are going to love it! They will be able to SEE more of the things we talk about!

[annisis]

Those models seem to be nothing more than wood and metal. A trip to a hardware store and you would probably be set. If the wood was hard to find precut in circles at a hardware store, I'm sure they could be found at a hobby or arts and craft store instead. At most you might have to drill some holes. It could be great for fine motor skills, screwing knuts and bolts on. And alphabet stickers from a hobby store could be used for the labels. And maybe foam stickers for protons to make it a little more sensorial? Hmmmm... we might have to make some.

[A_BC]

Hi Annisis,

I loved the document you posted!    that gives plenty of ideas for physics easy readers! Also, it can be inspiring for other activities like pretend play, kids will have lots of fun gravitating like electrons around anything that represents a nucleus.


Oh! I also came across this website: http://www.particlezoo.net/ and I LOVED the "stuffed particles" the owner sells. It is actually ONE person who is is running the whole thing. Getting the whole set will be so cool but it is actually quite pricy ($354.99 + shipping). There is a mini version sold that costs 155.99, I am thinking of getting it...

For the moment, we are making subatomic particles out of play dough. It's so easy and my toddler loves it. Last night, he didn't want to sleep and was crying: "Mommy, let's make hydrogeeeeeen"   

[annisis]

I totally just added the mini set to my curriculum list for next year! We keep this up, I'm either going to be broke or I'll only be able to buy science stuff each year!

BTW, I just found this free physics coloring book!
http://www.physicscentral.com/experiment/colormephysics/coloringbook.cfm

[annisis]

Scratch that! There's more: comic books, activity and coloring book to print for FREE!

http://www.physicscentral.com/experiment/colormephysics/index.cfm

[A_BC]

I'm either going to be broke or I'll only be able to buy science stuff each year! LO

You know, subscribing to this forum is free... Well, now try to read the posts and resist buying stuff other members recommend    This forum costs me a college tuition!

@ Annisis, BTW, Thx for the FREE links

[annisis]

I am setting up a new blog to share the materials I'm making for my curriculum:

http://buildtheuniverse.blogspot.com

and any other materials I've made in the past as well.

[A_BC]

Love your posters! Please keep up the good work!

[Kerileanne99]

Yep! Cute posters!
My only question would be...is there really any other 'kind' of science other than serious science!!!!...
Hubby andI are chemists, and have been using this VERY COOL 'toy' for molecule play for quite some time...can't rave enough, especially about Creator 1, the Bubble program, and the Molecule kit:
http://zometool.com/

[Kerileanne99]

Oh! Should also share again another fantastic (some free!) science downloads site that we frequently use...posted this in my recent science post, but...so worth an extra look!
http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/index.php

Also, in case anybody missed it...in a recent article in the chem journal Chemistry and Engineering News ( a trade journal for chemists!) came across an awesome free curriculum for 'middle school' chemistry...easily adapted for young kids! And sponsored by the ACS (American Chemical society!)
http://portal.acs.org:80/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_TRANSITIONMAIN&node_id=878&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=d2bbecdb-6c08-4b91-99ed-a4295baa0e7e

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