Science Word of the Day Explorations

Supports this milestone

• engages in scientific talk. — Head Start ELOF

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Materials

• A featured word card with a picture, such as observe, compare, or measure
• A tray of real objects to explore, such as shells, leaves, rocks, or fruit
• Magnifying glasses
• A non-stretchy measuring tape or linking cubes

Steps

• Introduce the word of the day and act it out, for example: "Observe means to look very closely."
• Invite each child to pick an object and use the featured word as they explore it.
• Model the word in a full sentence, such as: "I observe tiny lines on this leaf."
• Ask children to use the word themselves and describe what they notice.
• Add a content word for the object, like stem or shell, and have children repeat and use it.

Variations

• Feature compare and give each child two objects to find one thing that is the same and one that is different.
• Feature measure and have children measure objects with linking cubes.

Differentiation

• For younger children, pair the word with a clear gesture and accept one-word answers.
• For older children, challenge them to use two science words in the same sentence.

Accessibility

• Pair each word with a picture and a sign so meaning is shown, not just spoken.
• Welcome the word in a child's home language and link it to the English term.

Safety

• Use objects too large to swallow and supervise so small natural items are not mouthed.

Practices these skills

• Uses Science Vocabulary

Evidence

• Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services