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Beyond Nature Hikes and Butterflies

by Kelly K. Twibell and Diane Harkins
November/December 2013
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Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/beyond-nature-hikes-and-butterflies/5021439/

The children hovered closely around the large galvanized tub full of water. “Some friends thought the cotton ball would float and the paper clip would sink. Others thought both the cotton ball and the paper clip would sink. Let’s see what happens.” The children waited silently in anticipation as the teacher dropped the items into the water. “Whoa!” gasped some of the children as the paperclip immediately sank, and the cotton ball soon followed. “The cotton ball sank,” observed the teacher, “Why do you think that happened?” “It filled with water!” “It’s heavy!” “What about the paper clip? Why do you think it sank to the bottom?” the teacher inquired. “It’s gray!” one child said.

Let’s take a moment and reflect on the last comment. What does this child know? What, possibly, does he not know or what has he yet to consider?

Science is the pursuit of meaning, ­patterns, and truths about our world. Through everyday encounters at home and school, children naturally acquire knowledge about the world they live in. The round, rubber ball bounces high. The soil feels wet after the rain. I see stars at night. In the opening vignette, the child was, perhaps, attempt­ing to make ...

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