Doing the Science Thing with Landforms

My newest goal is to implement more hands on science in the classroom!  I always feel that we have too many paper and pencil assignments during our science block, so I am going to try my best to have one hands on science activity once a week.  I am very excited because I think the kinders will get SOOOO much out of these activities.  Plus I hope they will have some great memories to look back on in the future.

So I have been on a science experiment hunt.  I've been a pinning maniac and a total blog stalker.  (Which isn't that different from my normal self...)  I stumbled across a great blog at http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/.  This blog has a TON of science activities, most which can be performed in the classroom.  I would def suggest a little stroll over there to browse for a bit!

Last week, we studied landforms using my Landforms Unit that I recently created for my classroom.  I also have this unit up in my TpT store.

I made this unit to help my younger elementary students learn the different physical characteristics of landforms. It includes a reader, venn diagrams, thinking maps, etc.  If you are interested in taking a closer look at this item, you can view it here.

So what better way to complete a landform unit then to make mini volcanos?!?!  Thanks to the blog momto2poshlildivas I was able to make sure each student in the classroom had their own volcano.

I bought some cheap pans from Walmart and shared them between two students.  This worked great because I could use the lids too.  Each student was given a small clear cup filled to about an inch from the top with vinegar.  Then we added a little bit of food coloring to each cup of vinegar.

Next, I prepared the baking soda.  I gave each student a heaping spoon full.  Since they didn't know what was going to happen, I made sure they all held on to their spoons with both hands until I counted to three.  That way they all dumped the baking soda in to the cups at the same time.

How excited they were when all those volcanos erupted!!  It was pure magic.  :)  I wish I could show you their little faces!

I would really like to continue these types of activities throughout the rest of the year.  I am off to discover more science!