Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to explore and understand basic concepts of physics through sensory play.
Materials and Prep
- Water
- Sand
- Various objects with different textures (e.g., smooth, rough, soft)
- Containers for pouring and scooping
- Optional: toy cars or balls
- Protective clothing or apron
Before starting the lesson, make sure to clear a safe and designated area for sensory play.
Activities
- Water Exploration:
Fill a container with water and encourage the student to dip their hands and explore the different sensations. Discuss concepts like wet, cold, and the ability of water to flow.
- Sand Play:
Provide a tray or container filled with sand. Encourage the student to touch and manipulate the sand, discussing concepts like grainy, soft, and the ability of sand to be molded.
- Texture Exploration:
Provide various objects with different textures and ask the student to feel and describe each one. Discuss concepts like smooth, rough, soft, and hard.
- Pouring and Scooping:
Give the student containers for pouring and scooping water or sand. Encourage them to experiment with filling and emptying the containers, discussing concepts like full, empty, and the effects of gravity.
- Optional: Rolling and Bouncing:
If you have toy cars or balls, let the student roll and bounce them on different surfaces. Discuss concepts like fast, slow, and the differences in movement between rolling and bouncing.
Kindergarten Grade Talking Points
- "Water is wet and can make things feel cold. It can also move and flow."
- "Sand feels grainy and can be molded into different shapes."
- "Objects have different textures. Some are smooth, some are rough, and some are soft or hard."
- "When we pour or scoop things, we can make containers full or empty. Gravity helps things go down."
- "Sometimes, things can roll or bounce. Cars and balls can move in different ways."