This month in science we are studying the three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases. Our first hands-on experiment was making root beer floats. We used 2 liquids: milk and vanilla flavoring combined with 1 solid: sugar to create a new solid: ice cream! In order to make our ice cream, the recipe said to shake the ingredients for 5 minutes … so naturally, we had a dance party. The next day, we put the ice cream (solid) into root beer (liquid) to create a float with fizz (gas). It’s the best way, in my mind, to study science!
We will continue the study by making jello and seeing how a solid (jello powder) can turn into a liquid when heat is added (hot water). Then we will change the liquid into a solid jello form by putting it in the fridge and making it cold. We will learn that making something hot or cold can change its form.
In the past, we have relied mostly on having our students catch these concepts in the general education classrooms but as the students get into the higher grades like my fourth and fifth graders, the style of learning in those classroom changes (mostly taking notes) and the concepts are really complex. This is my second year explicitly teaching science in my classroom and I've really enjoyed it. I based my curriculum on themes I took from the Michigan state curriculum standards for students with special needs (EGLCEs). We spend a whole month on 1-3 objectives that I have tied together into a theme.
We will continue the study by making jello and seeing how a solid (jello powder) can turn into a liquid when heat is added (hot water). Then we will change the liquid into a solid jello form by putting it in the fridge and making it cold. We will learn that making something hot or cold can change its form.
In the past, we have relied mostly on having our students catch these concepts in the general education classrooms but as the students get into the higher grades like my fourth and fifth graders, the style of learning in those classroom changes (mostly taking notes) and the concepts are really complex. This is my second year explicitly teaching science in my classroom and I've really enjoyed it. I based my curriculum on themes I took from the Michigan state curriculum standards for students with special needs (EGLCEs). We spend a whole month on 1-3 objectives that I have tied together into a theme.
