Inquiring About the Sky: Part 1

Weather is in our science standards and something kids are naturally curious about and interested in. This Inquiry started with an interest in rainbows and took off from there! I set up some invitations for them to explore the rainbows they love so much!

As they learned about rainbows, they started asking questions about the weather that caused it and that lead to wonders about the wind. We read about breezes, gales, tornadoes and hurricanes. They explored the properties of objects that the wind could move or not move easily. They painted the wind and created wind vanes to tell what direction the wind was blowing. 

They noticed the wind moving the clouds so they started noticing how they weren’t all the same. We learned about the different types of clouds and the weather they could bring!

This is my favorite spelling of cumulus ever! I love kid spelling!





We created a display showing all that we learned about the wind and the clouds.



They are really growing an interest in the sun, moon, stars and planets so I can see how this Sky Inquiry is going to grow! We will see where it will take us!

Kindergartners as Inventors

Our Student Teacher, Miss Belka, noticed after our simple machine inquiry how much the kids loved creating in the Makers Space Area of our room. Guided by her observations she thought they would enjoy learning about inventors and inventions! She started by teaching them about famous inventors and the things they invented. They discussed prototypes, patents, and how these inventors failed so many times before they succeeded! They learned inventors need Grit and perseverance and the will to never give up! Their favorite inventors were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers. 

We went to Carillon Park and learned about local inventors and inventions here in the Dayton Area! The guide was amazed when he asked them if they knew any inventors or inventions and they all started listing them! They got to create their own inventions using craft materials and recyclables.  

They rode the Carousel of Innovation where they sat on Dayton Inventions!



We did a self guided tour. 



Then came the part they were all waiting for!! To see one of the original Wright Flyers! 





For many, that was the highlight of their trip!



Miss Belka set up some invitations for them to create and explore inventions! They could create robots using clay and loose parts.





They could invent potions that did amazing things! They made potions that could make you run fast, disappear, grow longer hair, fly, and much, much more!

Our Dramatic Play Area became the Wright Brother’s Bicycle shop where they could use tools and large loose parts to create. 









We provided all the recyclables and boxes we could collect in our Maker’s Space Area to invent robots. Before creating they had to write a plan that told us the name of their robot, it’s purpose and a picture of what it would look like! They loved this area! 











For a project, Miss Belka brainstormed with them inventions they could create that filled a need or solved a problem. They broke into expert teams to design and create a prototype.







Here is the Jeffery that will find your lost toys. 



The Can Opener that will open all types of containers for them during lunch. It also scooped up trash and food that fell on the floor. 



The Quicker Picker Upper cleaned up messes with its claw arm, trash bucket, bug vacuum nose and scrubbed arm. 



The Simon could get you out if you were ever locked in that you could call with your cell phone. 



The Spider Lamp helped those who were afraid of the dark by lighting up.



We invited Mrs. Sanner’s class to see a presentation about our inventions! The kids loved presenting! That may have been their favorite part!





Here are some photos to show some other things that were going on in our room at the time:

Addition using nuts and bolts. This was also a great fine motor workout!



For this game the kids rolled the dice and took that many ones. They could trade ten ones for a ten rod and when they got ten of those they could trade it for the group of one hundred to win the game. 



For this game they explored the concepts of adding more and taking away. 



We made LEGO sculptures. These turned out amazing! The rule was only that they had to use every LEGO in their bag. 



They are working on reading and spelling c-v-c words.



We had a small group interested in fashion design so we created an invitation for them to design.









We had to say goodbye to Miss Belka and we miss her so much! The kids presented her with a gift. A book they wrote with their pictures in it and our Force and Motion Collaborative art for her to hang in her own classroom when she gets one! She loved them!

The kids are next going to look at things we see in sky. I can’t wait to se how our new inquiry unfolds!