Problem solving questions and brainteasers expand a first-grader's mind and force him to think of every avenue of the question. Problem solving activities applied to first-grade science could be word problems themed around a scientific idea or principle. For example, if students are leaning about the order of the planets, you can ask them a word problem about the position of one planet relative to several other planets. If students are learning about gravity, you can ask them a question about two objects being dropped from a building, having them figure out which object will hit the ground first. For problem solving and brainteaser fun, divide your class down the middle into two teams, giving one point for each correct answer. At the end of the week the winning team could win a prize, encouraging your class to actively learn and understand scientific principles.
Logic games are a fun and interactive way to teach your class scientific logic. BBC has a number of free online first-grade science logic games in Earth, space, life and physical science. As students progress the activities get more difficult. Some involve labeling the parts of an animal, some involve deciding which objects are louder, brighter and bigger or smaller, and some activities have quizzes at the end. Many other websites offer free online science logic games for kids.
Science experiments allow young students to see and manipulate scientific principles in the classroom. Some first-grade science experiments include planting different plants and studying different environments for plants, exploring the properties of liquids and solids and watching and studying stars and constellations. Before your class begins a science experiment, explain what the students will be doing and why. Have them write a brief paragraph about what they think the outcome of the experiment will be and why. When the experiment is complete, have them study the outcome versus their predictions. Hold a class discussion to explain any misunderstandings and questions. Students will begin to build and rebuild paths of scientific logic based on their thoughts, predictions and outcomes.
Another way to get your class involved in the logic of science is to hold a critical thinking scavenger hunt. For this activity you can either hide an object in your classroom or reserve a larger room in the school, such as the media center, for your activity. Divide the class into several groups and hand out a list of clues about where the object can be found based on scientific principles you are teaching. For example, mark each wall of the classroom "North," "South," "East" and "West" and leave a clue about the object being located in the direction of the North Star.