KITCHEN SCIENCE INVESTIGATION
SCIENCELife Science
for Early Childhood
Diversity and interdependence of Life Observe and begin to recognize ways that environments support life by meeting the unique needs of each organism. (plant/soil, birds/air, fish/water, humans/food). Nature of Matter Explore and identify parts and wholes of familiar objects (toys, books, furniture). By mixing all the ingredients together to make our recipe we demonstrated identifying parts and wholes. The ingredients are the parts and the end product is the whole. Forces and motion Demonstrate understanding of motion related words (up, down, slow, rolling, jumping, backward, forward). We achieved using motion related words by using words like stirring, mixing, pouring, etc. BOOKSDonut Chef by Bob Staake
The King's Taster by Kenneth Oppel Green as a Bean by Karla Huskin Nutrition Anyone? by Kristin Petrie Potato Joe by Keith Baker My Food Pyramid by DK Publishing RECIPES WE MADEApple Pie
Carrot Cake Potato & Apple Salad Apple Crumble Pizza Chocolate Chip Cookies No-Bake Orange Ball Cookies MATHEMATICSData Analysis & Probability for Early Childhood: Statistical Methods
Select the category or categories that have the most or fewest objects in a floor or table graph. We voted on our favorite recipes and the recipe with the largest number of votes won. We graphed our results. Measurement for Early Childhood: Measurement Units Begin to identify and us the language of units of time: day, night, week, yesterday, today, tomorrow. We made a calendar and wrote down special events that are happening throughout the month including our cooking experience every Friday. |
ENGLISH LANGUAGE /ARTSAcquisition of vocabulary words for early childhood: Contextual understanding
Understand the meaning of new words from context of conversations, the use of concrete objects. We demonstrated this by using our recipe cards. Name items in common categories (animals, food, clothing, transportation, etc.) Tools & Resources Determine the meaning of unknown words with assistance or cues from an adults. We demonstrated this by using measuring cups, measuring spoons, sieve, graters, etc. Understand that print has meaning by demonstrating the functions of print through play activities. This was achieved by the use of activities. 
SOCIAL STUDIESCitizenship Rights & Responsibilities for Early Childhood
Demonstrate cooperative behaviors, such as helping, turn taking, sharing, comforting, and compromising. Economics for Early Childhood Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of production, distribution, and consumption through play (food from the farm to the grocery store) and concrete experiences (food purchased from the store and cooked at home). Social Studies Skills & Methods for Early Childhood: Obtaining Information Gain information through participation in experiences with objects, media, books, and engaging in conversation with peers. This was achieved through our cooking experiences. |
This Kitchen Science investigation then led our students to further the topic through mini investigations of melons and cucumbers, squash, and gourds. Here we studied, painted, dissected, measured, weighed, tasted, compared and cooked with all of these fruits.
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KITCHEN SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
The class took old crayons and broke them into smaller pieces. The pieces were put into a plastic muffin tin and then melted in the microwave. After cooling, the children drew with the new multi-colored crayons.
The children experimented with ice cubes, salt and yarn. They took a piece of ice, laid the yarn on top and sprinkled salt over the yarn. The idea was to melt the ice so that the yarn would stick to it.
Different kitchen ingredients were put in little canisters. The children then smelled the canisters and made predictions about what was in each canister.
Children used various kitchen utensils to create sand paintings. This helped them to acquire new vocabulary words such as mallet, spork, smash and spatula.
The children cut out pictures of food from different magazines. They then sorted the food into food groups.
The children made salt dough and then created 3 dimensional art pieces to go along with the story Don't Wake Up Mama by Eileen Christelow.
The children experimented with ice cubes, salt and yarn. They took a piece of ice, laid the yarn on top and sprinkled salt over the yarn. The idea was to melt the ice so that the yarn would stick to it.
Different kitchen ingredients were put in little canisters. The children then smelled the canisters and made predictions about what was in each canister.
Children used various kitchen utensils to create sand paintings. This helped them to acquire new vocabulary words such as mallet, spork, smash and spatula.
The children cut out pictures of food from different magazines. They then sorted the food into food groups.
The children made salt dough and then created 3 dimensional art pieces to go along with the story Don't Wake Up Mama by Eileen Christelow.
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