This week in Science we learned about
food chains. We discussed the scientific purpose of food chains
(transfer of energy) and named the participants (Sun > Producers >
Consumers > Decomposers). From there we began a hands-on experiment
to further explore the decomposers.
In short, each student has three baggies. One baggie has a quarter of an apple in it, the second baggie has a piece of bread, and the third baggie has a piece of bread with a bite taken out it (by the student). These three baggies will be left in the classroom on paper plates for 8 days. Every other day or so we record our observations (touch through the baggie, sight, and smell). The purpose is to gain a better understanding of how decomposers work on different foods.
What I found rather interesting is that when we were hypothesizing about what would happen to the food within an 8-day period the kids naturally knew that the food would begin to rot (or decompose). Nonetheless, when it came time for the observations they acted like real scientists. They probed, they asked questions, they shared information, they used appropriate vocabulary, they learned.
Learning is an experience unlike any other. Taking time to look closely at something that occurs everyday provides new insights. From this learning new questions arise and from there more learning takes place. A complete circle, if you will.
The experiment will be over next week yet the experience, the learning, and the fascination of the world will continue.
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten
In short, each student has three baggies. One baggie has a quarter of an apple in it, the second baggie has a piece of bread, and the third baggie has a piece of bread with a bite taken out it (by the student). These three baggies will be left in the classroom on paper plates for 8 days. Every other day or so we record our observations (touch through the baggie, sight, and smell). The purpose is to gain a better understanding of how decomposers work on different foods.
What I found rather interesting is that when we were hypothesizing about what would happen to the food within an 8-day period the kids naturally knew that the food would begin to rot (or decompose). Nonetheless, when it came time for the observations they acted like real scientists. They probed, they asked questions, they shared information, they used appropriate vocabulary, they learned.
Learning is an experience unlike any other. Taking time to look closely at something that occurs everyday provides new insights. From this learning new questions arise and from there more learning takes place. A complete circle, if you will.
The experiment will be over next week yet the experience, the learning, and the fascination of the world will continue.
Mr. Casten
Jan. 18, 2013
Comments
Post a Comment