Science

=Our first science unit will be about insects! We will be studying mealworms, milkweed bugs, and butterflies as well as other insects and thier "parts"! One effective tool to help young learners learn the body parts of the insects is through song. The following is a Zoo song, sung to the tune of “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes”. I also use this tool to get the "antsy" children up and moving by using calisthenics to burn some energy! You try it!= = = = = = = =Head Thorax, Abdomen= = = =Lyrics by: Sandra Iochum, Philadelphia Zoo Educator= = = =Head, Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen,= = = =Head, Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen,= = = =Two antennae and an exoskeleton,= = = =Head, Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen= And sometimes wings! =Here is a link to a video and song called "Icky, Icky, Insects". The kids love to sing and learn at the same time!!!!= = = [] = =

=SOIL= Soil is made up of three things! * The three soil components (parts): **sand, clay, and humus** * A **hand lens** or **magnifying glass** helps you see small objects better * The things that we put in our compost bag were: **grass, soil, earthworms, and water** * Order of making the compost bag: 1. Add soil 2. Add grass clippings 3. Add worms 4. Add water * Importance of worms: **pull grass from top down to the bottom, make air holes, fertilize the soil, helps break down the plant matter** * Insects, worms, and other animals live in soil * 3 things plants need to grow: **good soil, light, water** * Tests we used to determine a mystery soil: 1.dry samples & your senses 2. roll test 3. wet samples and your senses 4. smear test 5. settling test * Characteristics of the three parts of soil: Tiny bits of broken rock || Orange lumps Can be shaped when wet and hardens when it is baked or dried || Clumps of black material Made from dead and decaying plant and animal matter || Crumbles || Makes a firm, smooth ball || Does not roll very well || Settles fast || Turns the water a cloudy orange brown and settles eventually || Separates into 2 blackish layers (One floating and the other settled) ||
 * Things you need to know: **
 * Sand || Clay || Humus ||
 * Small tan particles called grains
 * Feels rough || Feels smooth and soft || Feels spongy soft ||
 * Makes no ball
 * No smear || Sticky orange smear || Watery brownish black smear ||
 * Sinks to bottom immediately

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=Here is a link to a video and song called "Icky, Icky, Insects". The kids love to sing and learn at the same time!!!!= = = []