This morning we successfully funded two further projects and are now impacting the science education of approximal 190 students in Illinois, California, and North Carolina. Many thanks to all who have donated so far.
This project (for twenty kids effected by Katrina) needs a further $381 in the next five days. The teacher says this about their students:
Science is important to them because science is all around them. Pre-K students develop a love for living things and other science concepts during their first year of school.
My "little scientists" include 20 four and five year old "at-risk" students who all qualify for free/reduced lunch. The majority of the school was greatly impacted by Hurricane Katrina, and some students are still living in FEMA trailers at this time.
My classroom was completely flooded with over 3 feet of water during Hurricane Katrina. In an early childhood classroom, everything is below that level. Many of my materials have been replaced, but my students are still lacking science materials. Science materials are a vital part of a young child’s life. These materials will help them to develop and grasp early science concepts and vocabulary, but they will also lead the students to appreciate life, health, and the environment.
It would be fantastic if we could fund this project by October 10th. Even a small donation will make a big difference.
We are still over $3000 short of our goal for the drive so, if you haven’t done so already, please help.
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4 year olds and 5 year olds are too young to learn science. Talking microscopes and magnet wands are toys not science supplies. I say pass on this project.
> 4 year olds and 5 year olds are too young to learn science.
100% Incorrect, I feel.
> Talking microscopes and magnet wands are toys not science supplies.
That may be true, but that is not all that the teacher is seeking and you match the supplies to the age of the students. Little point in getting them an electron microscope.
> I say pass on this project.
So are you going to donate to another project, then? ....
No, I don't plan to donate.
You match the lessons to the age of the student. Children this age don't read, write or do arithmetic. So how can they learn science? They can't comprehend what is even meant by science.
Children this age need to learn how to sit still, raise their hand when they have a question, remain quiet while the teacher and other students are speaking, listen to and follow instructions. None of that comes naturally. It needs to be taught. It's very basic but the students are very young. Science-y playtime is a distraction for the teacher and students.
Children have natural curiosity and inclination for science. They can learn how to test ideas using a simple scientific method at a very early age, well before they learn to read and write.
Sadly, insistence on sitting still and being quiet tends to kill all of that natural curiosity, so they grow up into sullen, unhappy adults whose only interest is how to make more money.
The sad echoes of the James Dobson style of childrearing. Yes, that one, the brave wrestler or ferocious dachshunds, as proudly described in his book on the wonders of child abuse.
I couldn't disagree more--and I'm happy that my kids' preschool and kindergarten teachers do as well. They have science and math integrated into many other aspects of their curriculum. For instance, last week they had "apples" as a theme. They read books about apples for "literature" time, counted and graphed apples each student had brought for math, and experimented with why apple slices turned brown (and how that could be prevented or slowed) for their science segment. The kids could present hypotheses and then test them, then discussed what they actually observed versus what they'd postulated--voila, science! It's never too early to get them to think about these types of things.
I've also given demonstrations to my kids' preschool and kindergarten classes on bacteria for the last 3 years--and I can attest to how it really brings things like "wash your hands" and "cover your mouth" home to them. Cause, y'know, these are things that need to be taught as well in addition to the sitting still and raising your hands...
I teach science to preschoolers - kids aged 2.5 - 7.
It's science world appreciation and it begins with awareness of other living creatures, environments, principles, laws, and earth science. It works. My children know about the planets, about dirt, how to grow things in the garden we put out, about the human body including digestion and circulation, nutriton and health.
But then we also teach music appreciation, fine arts, Spanish, geography, and history. I taught the Norman Conquest, and not a child moved. You have to know what you're doing, and about your audience.
Preschool children are very capable of learning just about anything.