Science adventures : nature activities for young children / Elizabeth A. Sherwood, Robert A. Williams, Robert E. Rockwell.

Subtitle on half t.p.: indoor and outdoor experiences for young children.

"Science content standards included."

"GH19436."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Science and young children -- Benefits of outdoor activities -- How to use this book -- Science content standards -- Science process skills -- Safety outdoors -- Family meetings -- References -- Chapter 1: Looking, Listening, And Learning: The Beginning of Science (Science As Inquiry) -- 3+ Activities -- Tell me what your senses sense -- How do we get from here to there? -- Getting there one way or another -- Outdoor collage -- Order activity -- Pair them up two by two -- Is this half? -- 4+ Activities -- Can you find it? -- Senses walk -- What can your fingers find? -- Count with nature -- Leaf coverage -- Pick-up sticks -- Hit the bucket -- How many rocks in my hand? -- Color scramble -- Follow the directions -- Can't peek -- Looking through the spyglass -- Make a pattern, make it again -- Probably will catch one! -- Photo finder -- ABC walk -- Official outdoor scientists -- Our outside book-all year long -- 5+ Activities -- Picnic basket full -- Snatch a rock -- Using the sidewalk as a measuring place -- Name it and label it -- Following written directions: by yourself -- Group must decide -- Squares add up -- 2: Ramps, Wheels And Wings: Learning About The Physical World (Physical Science) -- 3+ Activities -- Clear containers and a sunny day -- Floater or faller -- Sound containers -- How far can you squeeze a squirt? -- Iron and sand in a bottle -- Magnet hunt -- Rainbow sprinkler -- Slushy in a bag -- Sounds all around us -- Sunglasses -- Which will melt first? -- 4+ Activities -- Nose knows -- Acorns that sink or float -- I feel the heat -- Moving air moves things -- Pulley on a limb -- Pendulum on a limb -- Pusher or roller -- Riding toys in the yard -- Rusting outside -- 5+ Activities -- Toss a shape -- Moving sunlight -- Mud drops -- Wind feels cool -- Nail it -- Mirror play outside -- 3: Bugs, Birds, And Blossoms: Learning About Living Things (Life Science) -- 3+ Activities -- Leaf banners -- Leaf match -- Little sprouts -- Sticky tape body art -- Time to mime -- 4+ Activities -- Roly poly roundup -- 3-D nature collage -- Ant restaurant -- What is another way to sort? -- Counting leaves -- Everything has to eat -- Fuzzy seed art -- Leaves in the air, grab a pair -- Underground breakdown -- We're going on a bug hunt -- What's under that board? -- What am I? -- Who made it? -- 5+ Activities -- Tree through time -- Capture and recapture -- Go fish for plants -- Press a plant -- How old is that tree? -- 4: Soils, Shadows, And Sunshine: Learning About Earth And Weather (Earth And Space Science) -- 3+ Activities -- Settling experience-mixing soils with water -- Rocks that write -- Weather art -- Snowflakes -- 4+ Activities -- All about rain -- All about snow -- All about wind -- Dirt detectives -- Dirt holds water -- Coloring and mixing sand -- Watching shadows move -- Seasonal collage -- Icicles -- 5+ Activities -- Concrete -- I love that rock! -- My twin rocks -- Sifting soil -- Drifting snow -- 5: Weighing, Working, And Watching: The Tools Of Science (Science And Technology) -- 3+ Activities -- Can you make a house? -- Elf house -- 4+ Activities -- Area construction -- Balancing collections -- Big step measuring -- Drawing with the meter stick -- Forceps forage -- Funnels fill -- Weigh a big rock -- How to measure: how long? -- How to measure: how full? -- How to measure: how heavy? -- How to measure: how hot or cold? -- Make it bigger -- Measuring with string -- Planks and logs -- String water movers -- Time to time it -- Twig teepees -- 5+ Activities -- Balancing cups -- Meet the meter stick -- Outdoor temperatures -- Top it off -- Which weighs more? -- Appendix: Coat hanger bug net -- Outdoor science prop boxes -- Family meetings about science -- Index.

With activities designed for children from three to six, this well-researched and practical guide includes plenty of suggestions for inquiry-based outdoor learning. The authors provide tips for including English language learners, involving families, incorporating technology, using museums and parks, and connecting to children with a variety of special needs.(Miller Library Staff)

From the Publisher: With more than 125 activities, Science Adventures will open up an amazing world of exploration and discovery through nature activities in urban, suburban, or rural settings. Each chapter focuses on one of the standards set by the National Academy of Sciences as adapted by the authors to address the developmental and educational needs of preschoolers. The activities within each chapter progress from simple to more complex. Each activity has information on how it relates to other curriculum areas, plus an assessment component and related science standards. Many of the activities feature suggestions for including families, adaptations for ESL students, modifications for children with special needs, or appropriate ways to use technology with young children. Children need to explore their environments, and this book makes it an adventure!