What A Child Should Know:
- Collect and organize data to create class constructed tally charts, tables, and bar graphs.
- Use graphs to answer simple questions.
- Describe events using certain, possible, impossible, and other basic probability terms.
- Compare two objects to weight/mass and then use balance scales and nonstandard units.
Books about Data:
1. This book is called, "Tally O'Malley", written by Stuart Murphy and Cynthia Jabar. In Tally O'Malley, the O'Malley family is on their way to the beach. The drive is long and boring so they decide to pass the time with short tallying competitions-- first with cars, then t-shirts, and finally train cars. Readers get a clear idea of what tallying is. The concept is clearly presented and the storyline is certainly one that kids can relate to (bored on a road trip!)
Level: Kindergarten-2nd Grade 2. This book is called, "In the Garden: Who's Been Here? (Who's Been Here?)", written by Lindsay Barrett George. In this book, Christina and Jeremy have been sent to the garden to gather vegetables for dinner. But they quickly realize that they are not the first visitors to the garden today. There's a slimy trail on a leaf in the cucumber patch, and some corn kernels have been pecked off the cob. Not only that, someone has been snacking on the lettuce leaves! Christina and Jeremy follow the clues to discover which birds, animals, and insects have been in their garden. Level: Preschool-3rd Grade 3. This book is called, "Do like a Duck does", written by Judy Hindley. In this book, Mama Duck has a good hunch that the big brown creature waddling behind her babies is no duck! As the foxy impostor sneaks closer and closer to Mama Duck’s trailing brood, little ones will delight in shouting out his identity. Infectious rhythms and fresh, expressive watercolors liven up the pursuit, which ends when Mama Duck confronts the villain, beak to snout, and beats him at his own game. Level: Preschool-2nd Grade 4. This book is called, "What do you do with a Tail like this?", written by Robin Page. A nose for digging? Ears for seeing? Eyes that squirt blood? Explore the many amazing things animals can do with their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails in this interactive guessing book, beautifully illustrated in cut-paper collage, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor. Level: Preschool-1st Grade 5. This book is called, "Each Orange Had 8 Slices", written by Jr. Giganti Paul. Dynamic illustrations and appealing words combine to introduce beginning math concepts and reinforce visual literacy. If each orange has 8 slices and each slice has 2 seeds, then how many seeds are there in all? You'll have fun multiplying, adding, and counting your way through the math puzzles hiding in the world all around you. |
Data Activities:
![]() 1. Start a Survey!
Data analysis may sound like a pretty fancy term for kindergarten, but this year, your child will get her feet wet with it. We’re not talking high-level statistics; we’re talking about asking simple questions, such as who likes cereal for breakfast and who likes pancakes, and then charting the results. This activity puts your kid in charge of her own survey! She’ll poll her relatives and friends, collect information, and then create a colorful chart to display her findings. What You Need:
![]() 3. Archaeology for Kids
Follow in the footsteps of movie character legends as you walk your little one through the steps of becoming a junior archaeologist. While the remains of dinosaurs and lost civilizations may not be awaiting discovery in your backyard, you never know what fun mysteries a bit of digging can uncover. What You Need:
![]() 5. Experiment with Boiled Egg Science
In kindergarten science, kids are often introduced to a topic that they’ll continue to study in many forms for years ahead: the changing states of matter. They’ll learn, for instance, how when you heat ice it melts into water and then eventually turns into gas. But, of course, that’s not true for everything in nature. Take eggs, for example, which are used constantly in cooking. Try this science exploration with your kindergarten scientist, and help her explore the changing states of matter which transform an egg from raw to soft to hard-boiled. What You Need:
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![]() 2. Hatching Dinosaur Egg
There's something magical about the idea of a hatching dinosaur egg. If you have a young dino-enhusiast on your hands, this is the perfect activity to keep him occupied on a long afternoon. Crafting the eggs is a simple exercise in papier-mâché construction that will help hone developing fine motor skills, and your kid will have a blast decorating the egg whatever way he pleases. After he's completed the project, wait for the perfect moment and hide a baby dinosaur toy inside the egg. Your kid will be thrilled when he discovers there's an actual dino waiting to hatch from his egg. What You Need:
https://www.education.com/activity/article/dinosaur-eggs/ ![]() 4. Growing Garden Pictograph
Help your child to enhance his math skills with this ongoing graphing project. The growing garden pictograph is a fun, simple way to learn about the scientific method, discover nature, and explore counting concepts all while creating a unique work of art. If you do not have a large area of land or an established garden, you can still try this activity with your child. Consider starting a small garden in your yard, a container garden, or even simply growing one plant indoors. You can even pay some visits to a community garden as well! What You Need:
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