Vertebrate vs. Invertebrate

Today we started class by asking the kids if they remembered what classifying means. We talked about how classifying is when you separate things into groups and then we separated some photos into groups of animals and plants.

Next, we introduced today's topic by talking about bones. We talked about the bones in our body, and unveiled a skeleton to let the kids explore. We talked about how our cranium protects our brain and our ribs protect our heart and lungs. The kids noted that our stomach does not have any bones or protection. After a close look at the skeleton we did the skeleton dance.

Then we extended our learning by talking about animals that have skeletons and looked at pictures of animal skeletons on a light table. We introduced the word vertebrate - an animal that has a backbone, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

We also talked about animals that do not have a backbone, invertebrates, such as jellyfish, sea stars, worms, and insects. The kids had so much fun with the envelope hide and seek game last week we decided to repeat it. This week there were 4 pictures in the hidden envelopes: 3 pictures of vertebrates and 1 picture of an invertebrate. The kids had to identify the invertebrate. 

Our STEAM Challenge this week was to explore how a backbone gives us structure and support. The kids built animals out of play dough and then tried to stack blocks on their back. The play dough was too soft and we only were able to stack about 3 blocks before their animals collapsed. Then we gave everyone a popsicle stick to act as backbone and had them build another animal. This time we were able to stack almost 20 blocks before their creatures toppled.  

We finished the day with a relay where each kid pulled a toy animal out of a bag and had to race to the wall and select the correct skeleton for the animal they selected. The kids were fast. Pictures are found below. 

Classification - Plant vs. Animal

Today in the STEAM Lab we talked about a big word called classification. We explained that classification is when scientists group things together that are similar. Two major classifications of living things are plants and animals.

We then let the kids explore our mystery bags. In one mystery bag we had a plant and in the other mystery bag we had a plastic toy animal. We asked the kids how animals are alike and how plants are alike. We also had a treasure hunt set up around the room. The kids found hidden envelopes that contained a picture of a plant or an animal and had to classify them on the plants and animals collage.

The rest of the class we spent talking about plants. We explored the seeds or four different types of plants and made a take home collage. We also talked about how seeds can travel on the wind and we blew milkweed seeds around the room. We put a seed in a bag, which can be taped to the window, and should sprout within the next few days so the kids can see the roots, stem, and leaves form.

We finished the day with our 1st STEAM Challenge. The kids were asked to build a tree (a plant) out of blocks that could hold at least five birds (an animal). The kids did an awesome job on this challenge. There were all different kinds of birdhouses built.

Next week we will be focusing on animals.

Pictures of the day are below.

Living or Nonliving

Preschool Steam: Biology Beginnings was held today! Since biology is the study of living things our first lesson focused on how to tell the difference between living and nonliving things. Here is what we did:

We examined some bugs in critter keepers - a spider, two cockroaches, and lots of crickets. We also looked at some National Geographic books about animals as we waited for everyone to arrive.

We introduced the mystery bag where we used our senses other than sight to guess what is inside. Today we had 2 mystery bags: one bag contained a living flower and the other bag a nonliving silk flower. We talked about the differences between the living and nonliving flowers.

We watched a quick Sesame Street video that taught us how to determine if something is living or not. The conclusion was if something eats, breathes, and grows it is living. We played a game and learned a song to reinforce these concepts.

Then it was time to start experimenting! First, we studied gummy worms. We measured them with paperclips and identified their colors. The gummy worms didn't move though and weren't much fun to play with so we sprinkled baking powder on them and dropped them into vinegar that really got them moving, but they still weren't living things.

Next we studied real earthworms. We again measured them and identified their color. These real worms moved a lot! They were fun to watch. Everyone named their worm and made a home for their worm.

Pictures from the day are below. Enjoy!

September 11, 2018

Hi!  Welcome to the Bereskin Gallery Preschool Steam blog!  I will be posting about the exciting things we will do and learn at the Steam Lab this year.  Please check it out after every class!  It's going to be fun!