This week was action packed.
Treasure Chest Sessions saw children making predictions from a selection of items…which ones will sink and which ones will float? Hoops were used to sort the gathered items into sinker and floater piles. Lots of fun was had; a chance to think, talk and listen before getting on with the wet part!
Having picked our two surviving pumpkins last week, it was cooking and feasting time! In years gone by, teachers have attempted pumpkin soup, pumpkin bites and pumpkin pies…with limited success…this year it was pumpkin spaghetti time. In group time, the pumpkin’s were handled, chopped, deseeded and inspected by the children. The slimy seeds were passed around, counted and placed to dry for next year’s planting and the next generation of Thornton Heath pumpkins. Next, the children observed onion being chopped before having a chance to smell and handle the powerful vegetable! Little fingers then peeled garlic cloves, another feat for the senses and valuable exercise for growing hands and digits. We sorted the remaining ingredients of spaghetti, salt, oil, sweet peppers and passata before it was off to the kitchen. Many children observed as the ingredients were combined and cooked before it was feast time! It was thumbs up all round and a valuable experience, as our fledgling scientists grow to understand life cycles from seed, to plant and fruit; not as passive observers or listeners but as active participants.
The tops and tails of our pumpkins were put to good use by Tracey and the children, who scooped out boats to be tested in the water tray…would they float or sink?…
Helen’s slime factory was on top form this week. Two batches of slime meant two very different sensory experiences for the children. A wonderful talking point is created as the textures and properties of the slime change throughout the week. From a sticky, hand binding, “yucky” experience…to a stretching, rubbery, bouncing ball; the slime engages children throughout the week and provides a shared experience, quiet independent exploration and often energetic, somewhat raucous expressions of shock and surprise!
