Children observe a puddle as it evaporates throughout the day.
Children observe a puddle as it evaporates throughout the day.
What you'll need
- sidewalk chalk
- pail
- water
Step by step
Step 1
Go outside and locate a puddle. Ask children, "How are puddles formed?" Outline the puddle with sidewalk chalk. Continue to check it throughout the day as it evaporates. Consider outlining the puddle with a new color of chalk during each observation as it decreases in size so the changes are easier to see and compare. If there are no natural puddles, make your own puddle by pouring a pail of water into a depressed spot on a sidewalk, driveway, or in a parking lot.
Step 2
As the water disappears, ask children to think about where the water went. Explain that evaporation occurs when water (a liquid) turns to vapor (a gas) and rises up to be a part of the air. What helped the puddle to evaporate? The sun, the wind, or both? How long did it take to evaporate?
More ideas
Transition: Invite children to pretend to be birds as they follow your directions. Give a series of instructions such as, "Fly to the (table), birdie, birdie! Fly to the door. Fly to the (bookshelf), birdie, birdie; Now land on the floor!" Once all of the birdies have landed, have them fly to the next activity.
Playful questions
Where do puddles come from?
What kinds of things can cause puddles?
What might cause one puddle to have water in it longer than another?
Learning outcomes
Language/Literacy
Expressive Language (Speaking)
Converses with a rapidly expanding vocabulary; understands words and meanings from growing number of topics and learning domains; demonstrates understanding of some opposite concepts.
Demonstrates understanding and use of rapidly expanding vocabulary, including language of specific learning domains and more abstract concepts; identifies word pairs that describe opposite concepts.
Math
Measurement and Data
With adult support, collects and records information in different ways across learning domains (discussion, maps, charts).
Develops growing abilities to collect, describe, and record information to answer simple questions across learning domains.
Science
Observation and Inquiry
Uses senses to make increasingly complex observations in the environment; makes simple predictions and plans to carry out investigations; describes observations.
Uses steps of the scientific inquiry process and all five senses to purposely explore materials; asks questions (why, where, when, how, what) and seeks answers through exploration; makes and explains observations, makes predictions based on observations and past experiences, and draws conclusions; classifies objects by function.
Uses tools to investigate and gather information (magnifying glass, scale, bug catcher, tablet, computer, smartphone); groups materials according to observed features.
Uses equipment and tools to gather information and explains findings to aid in investigation (scale, map, binoculars, tablet, computer, smartphone).