Hey, fellow teacher friends! I’m so excited to share the details of our hot and cold STEM activity I did with my preschool students that combined the warmth of hot chocolate with the chill of ice fishing. It was an absolute blast, and the kiddos loved learning about hot and cold in a hands-on way.
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Getting Started: Exploring Hot and Cold
We kicked things off with a casual chat about hot and cold. Picture this: a room full of adorable preschoolers eagerly discussing the differences between hot and cold. We chatted about everything from the sun on a summer day to ice cream on a chilly winter evening. Their little faces lit up with curiosity, setting the stage for our STEM adventure.
Sequencing Fun: “How to Make Hot Chocolate”
To make our STEM journey even more exciting, I prepared a sequencing activity sheet on “How to Make Hot Chocolate.” Think of it as a recipe but with big, colorful pictures for our little learners. We went step by step, from gathering the ingredients, and heating our water, to sipping the warm goodness. The kiddos loved pointing at each picture and sharing their thoughts on the hot chocolate-making process.
And yes, the best part was making the hot chocolate! Imagine your classroom filled with the irresistible aroma of cocoa, as tiny hands poured their water and sprinkled cocoa powder into their cups. It was a delightful mess that made our learning experience even more memorable!
Feeling the Warmth: Discussing How Hot Chocolate Feels
Once our hot chocolate was ready, we gathered around for a little chat about how it felt. We sipped, we savored, and we discussed the warmth spreading through our bodies. The kids described it as a cozy hug – the sweetest way to understand the concept of “hot.”
Ice Fishing Extravaganza
Now, onto the chilly part of our adventure – ice fishing! This STEM activity was such a hit, that I incorporated it again to compare the concept of hot and cold. Check out, “Ice Fishing Adventure: Preschool STEM Activity” for more details on how to create your own ice fishing experiment! Armed with ice cubes and a sense of curiosity, we dove into the frosty world of ice.
We felt the ice cubes, exploring the contrast between the cold, solid cubes and the warm, liquid hot chocolate. The kids giggled and shivered, comparing the two sensations with wide-eyed enthusiasm. It was the perfect way to tie together our lesson on hot and cold, leaving the little ones with a tangible understanding of these concepts.
In a nutshell, our hot chocolate and ice fishing STEM adventure was a hit! It combined sensory exploration, sequencing fun, and many giggles. If you’re looking for a cozy yet cool STEM activity for your preschoolers, give this a try. Your little ones will thank you with smiles, and you might just find yourself enjoying a cup of hot chocolate afterward – because why should the kids have all the fun?
Happy teaching, friends! 🌟
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my “How to Make Hot Chocolate” sequencing activity!☕️💗