Suggested Kindergarten Science Center Materials
Science Gear
Thematic Dramatic Play Clothing (e.g. lab coats, goggles, magnifying glasses, hats, outfits)
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Thematic Books & Decodable Readers (if applicable - leveled)
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DIY Thematic Art Craft
Art utensils & materials (e.g. collage items, paint) and a posted "model" of craft
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All About Theme Tray/Basket
Vocabulary cards, picture cards, charts (e.g. life cycles), real-life examples (e.g. bird nest)
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Theme Prop Basket
Props for expanded exploration (e.g. safari figurines with blocks)
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Thematic Investigations
Science investigations to include: hypothesis, observation, experiment/ collection of data (measurement, weight, estimation), and conclusion (e.g. how many ribbons will fit around the pumpkin, how many lines does the pumpkin have?)
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Thematic Practical Life Activities
Realistic activities that deepen connection to theme (e.g. pulling sunflower seeds from dried sunflower with tweezers, wrapping presents for the holidays); fine motor transfer activities with colored water (e.g. yellow water for fall season) or seasonal material (e.g. rice for Chinese New Year); and other types of fine motor activities (e.g. folding cloth napkins, scrubbing props with toothbrush & soapy water)
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*Thematic Photo Calendar Matching
Match small calendar pictures (from back of calendar) to the larger pages (simply cut & laminate both small & large pictures from a calendar - you can find calendars for any theme/season - check your local dollar store!)
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Drawing Tray/Basket
1/2 size blank paper & shapes for drawing seasonal/thematic pictures​
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Thematic Measurement
Different options such as for weight, size (e.g. weigh the pumpkins)
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Display thematic items alongside a sensory tray.
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DIY - Calendar "Thematic" Photo Picture Match. Cut & laminate the smaller calendar pictures (from back of calendar) and cut & laminate the larger pages individually, and match!
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DIY - Calendar "Thematic" Photo Picture Match. Cut & laminate the smaller calendar pictures (from back of calendar) and cut & laminate the larger pages individually, and match!
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DIY - Match labels of a diagram!
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DIY - Life Cycle Picture Match!
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Display picture cards, real-life objects, etc.
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Use fun thematic writing paper alongside "all about" picture cards.
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Display thematic objects alongside drawing utensils and paper.
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Display thematic picture cards alongside drawing utensils and paper.
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Thematic Fine Motor: the use of soap and water to be properly modeled for students!
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Also use in fine motor/ writing center.
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Also use in fine motor/ writing center.
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Also use in fine motor/ writing center.
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Compare and contrast alongside theme.
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Compare and contrast alongside theme.
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Compare and contrast alongside theme on T chart by drawing pictures or writing words.
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Compare and contrast alongside theme on T chart by drawing pictures or writing words.