As children were still keen on the topic of ice, this week we started an activity of making ice in different shapes and colours. First of all, children sat together and had a discussion about what ingredients we need and the method to make ice.
Aarya: We need snow!
Jasmine: No, we need water!
Anna: Yes, water!
Then, came the second question. How we can turn water into ice?
Rhion: Put some water in a cup.
Xinning: We can leave the cup in the fridge.
Victoria: Not fridge, itβs freezer.
After the discussion, children decided to pour some water into a container; and then, left it in the freezer. To make the ice more interesting, children were provided with two gloves, some buttons, glitters and food colouring to do some decoration. Each child had a turn to pour water into the gloves and put glitters or buttons. While doing this, they also observed how buttons sink in the water. When two gloves were filled up with coloured water and some decorations, children watched the teacher put them inside the freezer. The next day, teachers took out the frozen gloves and let children observe and touch for every one hour until the ice turned back into water again.
Jasmine: It is chilly!
Jessy: Water comes on my fingers when I touch it.
Aarya: Itβs super hard!
Anna: Look! The colours turn darker than before!
Victoria: Itβs melting!
Xinning: More and more water comes up.
Yuxin: δ½ ηοΌε ¨ι¨εζζ°΄δΊ! (Have a look, it becomes water totally)
From this activity, children have gained not only the joy of doing an experiment, but also some knowledge of ice and the simplest way of making ice. Moreover, through discussing with peers and observing how ice melted, children have developed their language skills, observation skills, critical thinking skills and collaborative working skills.
