Lego Art

Several years ago, I purchased a Lego set that had various colors of 1 X 1 bricks, a transparent building plate, and a number of pictures.  The child would place a picture under a plate and then place the corresponding colored bricks in the correct positions to create a picture.  Well, this set was well loved and has seen its best days.  I searched in stores and online for a replacement, but haven't found another.  I tried to revamp the set.  I have one transparent plastic plate and a number of colored bricks.  I decided to have each child draw a picture, place under the plate, and then cover with bricks that corresponded with the colors.  Here is an example of one child's creation.  I decided to put the bricks in an organized container to make it easy to find the colors needed. 

Color and Light

I recently did several lessons on Color, Light, and Shadows during my two week summer "Super Science" class.  I put some of the materials we used on a tray to place with work on the shelf for further exploration.  The students loved exploring these simple materials and couldn't get enough.  The materials I included were some color mixing glasses, acrylic prisms, flashlights, and a mirror to experiment with reflections.

Other trays available on the shelf during "Super Science" included:

Magnetic Marbles

Magnetix

Pattern blocks on a mirror

Optical Illusions on cards

Optical Illusions on cards

Optical Illusions on cards

Gears

Marble Run Game

Puzzelations

I first became interested in tessellations when our mentor from England, John Emanuel showed us how he and his teachers taught the children how to use shapes that tessellate when printmaking to create books.  This interesting puzzle teaches the children how to problem solve to fit the shapes together.  I want to order more from this great series.

Slime

This is a fabulous recipe for slime from http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/glue-borax-gak.  The students loved doing this.  I think we spent an hour making the slime and then playing with it.  They really didn't want to stop.  Everyone put their slime in a plastic bag to take home.  I am going to try using clear glue next time.

Crystal Garden

I love growing a crystal garden with the students.  My mom called it a "Depression Garden" since she grew up during the Great Depression.  I've used the same recipe for years.  The students are fascinated by the growth of the crystals.  If you can't find laundry bluing locally, you can order it on the internet.  http://www.mrsstewart.com/

My recipe:

Put pieces of coal into a glass dish.  (I picked up my coal from the railroad tracks long ago.  I know some people used charcoal briquettes, bricks, or other porous rocks.) On top of the coal, pour 4 tablespoons salt, 4 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons ammonia,  and 4 tablespoons bluing.  Add drops of food coloring.  I always sprinkle on extra salt at the end.

After watching the crystals grow for several days, I just wash off the coal and dishes.  I store with my other materials until the next time I wish to grow crystals.

Arch Blocks

I really like these arch blocks that I purchased at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis several years ago.  Our faculty traveled there to attend a conference at the New City School on utilizing the theory of Multiple Intelligence.  It is quite a challenge for the children to figure out how to stack these to be able to remove the center block to create an arch.  I love their looks of amazement when the arch they formed stays intact.  I checked the museum store and they still have a version for sale: http://www.jnpa.com/Prod-157-1-504-45/Catenary_Arch_Puzzle.htm