Guest Author - Diane Claus

Plants and Animals
If you want to explore animals and plants native to your area try calling your local conservation department. Many conservation departments have educator workshops that are free for teachers to attend. If you cannot attend a workshop or class then you can call and request information for your classroom or you can visit their website to see pictures and find information about the plants and animals in your area.

Mini Eco System
You will need:
-Worms
-Pebbles
-Soil
-Flower and grass seeds
-Large glass jar

Cover the bottom of the jar with Pebbles. Add soil filling the jar about half way. Sprinkle in the flower and grass seeds. Add a few worms and water the plants but not too much. Put the jar near the window, but out of direct sunlight and allow time to grow. Since preschoolers like to see instant results you may want to have another jar premade so they will know what it will look like. This is a good beginning of the year project. After a few months when the jar has a lot of plants and flowers show the children who much the plants have grown and remind them of all they have learned.


Volcano
You will need:
-Empty baby food jar
-Modeling clay
-Baking soda
-Vinegar
-Food coloring

Have the preschoolers use play-doh or modeling clay to create a mountain surrounding a baby food jar. Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the baby food jar. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to 2 tablespoons cup of vinegar and stir. Have the preschooler pour the vinegar into the jar.

This is always a hit so I recommend having extra baking soda and vinegar around. :)

Super Strong Toilet Paper Roll
You will need:
4 empty toilet paper rolls
1 thin hardback book or thin board about 8 inches wide and 12-14 inches long

Stand up the toilet paper rolls far enough apart so that they will be at each corner under the book or board. The kids will be amazed that they can stand on the board.

*Note: Most adults are too heavy for this.

You may also be interested in:
Butterfly Tree House

Make a Worm Farm

Preschool Science Center