Fine Arts & Science Class - The Properties of Water

The Provocation:

Wearing our winter boots, mittens and warm jackets, the cold winter was upon us. There was frost on the grass, playground and deck at school. One of the children brought in an icicle she had found outside. The children were very impressed and inquisitive. They were amazed at how it might have formed and what could we possibly do with ice. We took small Dixie cups, as well as assorted clear containers, and filled them with water. We then added some color and placed them outdoors. The following morning we checked them. To the children’s delight, they were frozen.

The Purpose:

The purpose was to explore the properties of water. We experimented with color, warmth of the classroom, dish soap, weight and measurement.

The Observation:

The children first explored the ice containers in the water table. Some of the comments were as follows: “This is really, really cold!” “ Look, look there is a face!” “It is melting, the ice is melting!” “Can I paint with this?” “It is turning into water!” The children explored, engaged and watched each other as the ice melted and changed from a solid to a liquid once again. Interesting!

“Will this sink or float?”

“I think this looks like a face.”

Playing with the ice in the water table.

"It’s an octopus, I see the tentacles!”

The ice begins to melt in the child’s hands.

The ice painting begins.

Whisking bubbles….so much fun!

Conclusion and Reflection:

Conversation and collaboration – it is a wonderful thing to see children learning in this way. Everyone experienced a new way of looking at the cold weather as well as how we can explore and be creative with water. All of the children participated in these activities with questions and hands on experimentation. We will do this again…weather permitting!

~Joanne

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