I’m Melting! Children are fascinated by change, and melting is particularly interesting! In this activity, children will work together to explore ice and to make predictions. Materials: • • • • • • • • • • • •
A variety of containers such as yogurt cups, sandwich bags, and milk cartons Water Ice cubes Liquid food coloring Scarf Box of table salt Absorbent paper such as coffee filters, paper towels, or blotter paper Magnifiers Trays or pans Powdered tempera paint Craft sticks Ice-cube trays
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Most children have had an experience with melting ice, whether it was in their glass or on the sidewalk. Place a big chunk of ice or several ice cubes on a tray, and bring it to circle time. Hide it under a scarf, and play a guessing game. Sing the following song to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”: There is something under here That is wet and very cold If you step, please beware! You could slip and fall right there. Ask the children to guess what is under the scarf. Explain that, just as the song says, this is something that is really cold. They may want to touch the cloth. Listen to their guesses. When someone guesses ice, reveal what is on the tray. Invite the children to talk about what they know about ice. Perhaps they have observed ice melting in a drink or on the sidewalk. Ask the children to notice what has happened to the ice cube on the tray over time: It melted! Why? How? What does the puddle look like? Explain that today they will get to choose a partner to do some ice discovery together in the science art area.
Social-Emotional Skills Fostered: Seeking peers as partners Sharing ideas with a group Problem solving