Parents in the Know

Focus on Science

Science Terms Did you ever wonder what your child is learning in science? Here’s just a quick view: carnivore - an animal that eats another animal chlorophyll - a green chemical in plant cells that allows plants to use the Sun’s energy for making food herbivore - an animal that eats plants, algae, or other producers invertebrate - an animal without a backbone omnivore - an animal that eats both plants and animals stratus cloud - a cloud that forms in a blanket like layer troposphere - the layer of the atmosphere closet to the Earth's surface tundra - large, treeless plain in the arctic regions where the ground is frozen all year

What? Where? When? How? What, where, when, and how might seem like simple questions, however, they are at the heart of science exploration. Encourage your child to question and explore things around her. Scientists are great detectives. Make sure to encourage your child to use her senses to solve problems. She will often want see, hear, touch, and feel things as she investigates.

iPhone Apps

Parenting.com recommends the following iPhone Apps ($2.99 or less) for young children: Wacky Safari (Ages 2-5) Giraffe’s Matching Zoo (Free, 3+) Pocket Frogs (Ages 4+) Jelly Car (Ages 5+) American Museum of Natural History Dinosaurs (Free, All ages) Freshwater Aquarium (Free, All ages)

Science Online There are many fun websites that are designed to teach children scientific concepts through games. A few of the best are: PBS Kids http://pbskids.org/games/science.html Science Kids

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html

Primary Games http://primarygames.com/science.htm Learning Games for Kids

http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/science_games.html

Funology http://www.funology.com/

What Research Says The National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA) states that the involvement of parents in their children’s learning is crucial to their children’s interest in and ability to learn and succeed in science.

Based on: “NSTA Position Statement: Parent Involvement in Science Learning”, National Science Teachers’ Association, http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/parents.aspx All clip art and photos from Clipart.com

Science

Backyard Science There is a world of scientific opportunities right outside of your door.

• Find constellations in the night sky • Plant a garden • Use a magnifying glass to watch insects • Bring snow inside and watch what happens • Measure rainfall in a jar you leave outside • Chart the temperature outside • Compost • Visit a garden center • Recycle • Look for caterpillars • Catch a firefly and let it go

Family Science There are many ways that you can encourage your child’s interest and love of science from a young age. Lynn Dean offers the following: 1. Marvel at the world together. 2. Answer your child’s questions. 3. Look for answers when you don’t know. 4. Ask questions of your child. 5. Keep science “hands on”. 6. Encourage your child to reach conclusions. Based on: “Seven Family Ideas to Encourage the Scientist in Your Child" by Lynn Dean, found at http://www.eduguide.org/library/viewarticle/143/seven-family-ideas-to- encourage-the-scientist-in-your-child/

Science Jokes

Science can be intimidating for both children and adults. However, you already know more than you think!

• What’s a tornado's favorite game? Twister! • How did you find the weather at camp? It was

easy. I just went outside, and there it was! • What did the sea say to the shore? Nothing, it

just waved. • What should we do with crude oil? Teach it

some manners! • What did the rock say to the geologist? Don’t

take me for granite. • Why do seagulls live near the sea? Because if

they lived near the bay, they'd be bagels. • How does a rabbit make gold soup? He starts

with 24 carrots. • Where do fish put their money? In riverbanks. • What do you think of that new restaurant on

the moon? The food’s great but it has no atmosphere.

Find these jokes and others at Science Kids, http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/jokes.html

Science Kids provides experiments, games, fun science facts, quizzes, projects, and videos for children of all ages!

Spotlight on Habitats Here Is the Southwestern Desert, by Madeleine Dunphy The Hidden Forest, by Jeannie Baker One Small Square: Arctic Tundra, by Donald Silver The Rainforest Grew All Around, by Susan Mitchell

Book Corner

“Be curious a lways! For knowledge will not acquire you; you must acquire it.”

Sudie Back

Copyright © 2014, Parents in the Know, www.parents-in-the-know.com