When Dr. Maria Montessori designed the children’s environment she wanted
to offer the children the “keys to the world”… offering them a key to
the greater world outside the walls of our classrooms as well as the
‘keys’ to the cultural world enabling the children to sensorially
explore essential and fundamental elements of the natural and man-made
worlds.
to offer the children the “keys to the world”… offering them a key to
the greater world outside the walls of our classrooms as well as the
‘keys’ to the cultural world enabling the children to sensorially
explore essential and fundamental elements of the natural and man-made
worlds.
In helping children to explore their world they have the opportunity to
become careful observers of their surroundings. The activity of
exploring and observing helps them to create a more intimate connection
between their outer and inner worlds. They become more curious, more
questioning and more connected with what they find.
become careful observers of their surroundings. The activity of
exploring and observing helps them to create a more intimate connection
between their outer and inner worlds. They become more curious, more
questioning and more connected with what they find.
The science area of our classroom is a wonderful way for children to
explore, problem solve and make and test theories. Recently we have been
looking at simple science experiments that the children have enjoyed.
explore, problem solve and make and test theories. Recently we have been
looking at simple science experiments that the children have enjoyed.
One experiment was to work out a way to make a ball of plasticine float…
The children came up with all sorts of interesting ideas such as:
Making the ball smaller
Making it into a different shape such as a log and triangle
Flattening it out.
We then tested each one of these ideas…with no success.
We then brainstormed about what types of things float on water. Finally
“a boat!!” was mentioned. All the children were then given the challenge
to make a boat that could float. Each child had the opportunity to test
their model. This proved to be very tricky indeed!!
“a boat!!” was mentioned. All the children were then given the challenge
to make a boat that could float. Each child had the opportunity to test
their model. This proved to be very tricky indeed!!
Finally…..SUCCESS.
We also added a volcano experiment onto the shelves where the children
created a chemical reaction when vinegar and bicarbonate of soda were
mixed together. What made this experiment even more exciting was that
the mixture was placed into a plasticine- shaped volcano. So it
simulated a volcano eruption.
created a chemical reaction when vinegar and bicarbonate of soda were
mixed together. What made this experiment even more exciting was that
the mixture was placed into a plasticine- shaped volcano. So it
simulated a volcano eruption.
