First Graders in Motion!

During enrichment time today first graders began their inquiry into a science unit on force and motion. Mrs Rankin wore her lab coat as we discussed as a group: What is science? Students came up with a lot of great words to describe science:
-creating things
-experimenting
-learning about new ideas
-studying animals
-learning about plants
-mixing up potions and chemicals
-thinking

I heard many exclamations that began with ' I love science!'

Next we discussed the difference between living and non-living things. Several students were skeptical when I announced that our study would be about how non living things moved. Was this possible? I gave students several materials--4 balls, a ramp and a book. Students were challenged to work In groups of 2 or 3 to observe, experiment and wonder with these new materials.

We entered our 'we noticed' and 'we wonder' observations into our classroom science journal and excitedly look forward to our next scientific meeting.

Students can expand their thinking about this topic at home by going on an observational walk. As they walk they can notice things that are moving. They can ask themselves how they move, and what they would do to find out more about their movement. Rich discussions about living and non-living items would also be great!