Spring is officially here. The weather is warmer, plants and flowers are finally blooming, and animals are coming out to play. Spring is great time to teach kids about science, since there’s so much of it taking place right outside the door. Here are some spring science lessons and activities kids can do both indoors and outdoors.
Butterfly Life Cycle
This is a great lesson for preschool and elementary-aged children. For younger kids, start by reading the classic children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Then you can go as in-depth as you’d like about the butterfly life cycle. Study cocoons, metamorphosis and different types of butterflies. If you have the budget, you can even order a caterpillar and butterfly kit so children can watch it happen. This lesson also easily translates to art projects for younger kids.
How Rainbows Form
They say April showers bring May flowers, but those showers can also bring rainbows. Teach kids about light and how it mixes with rain to form a rainbow. Kids of any age can get in on the fun with a wide variety of activities and lessons of various difficultly levels. Have preschoolers shine a flashlight on the back of a compact disk, while older children can study refraction and light bending with flashlight, prisms and white paper.
Plant Growth
Spring is the perfect time to teach kids about how plants grow and why everything starts becoming green again as the weather gets warmer. You can even get hands-on by letting students plant their own seeds and watch them grow. With some egg cartons or Styrofoam cups, some fast-growing flower seeds, soil and a watering can, students can plant seeds and track the plant growth over time. They’ll get to see with their own eyes the transformation from seed to plant as they learn about plant growth in class.
What are the different science lessons you teach to engage your students?
All the best,
Steve
