Learning about magnets introduces young students to lessons on forces and things that cannot be seen. While children cannot see the magnetic force, they will be able to see the result of that force. Discuss what kinds of materials will stick to magnets. Lay out several metal and non-metal items and let kids use magnets to see what will stick. As kids test each item, ask them what the item is made of. Point out to children that only metal objects stick to the magnet. In addition, let children experiment with two magnets to demonstrate how they have positive and negative forces. Have the children try to attach two magnets on the positive side, and then on the negative side. Discuss the results of each attempt.
Use ice to teach students about the different states of matter. Start with a few ice cubes sitting in a bowl and talk about solids and what makes a solid a solid. As the ice in the bowl melts, talk to students about liquids, and what makes a liquid different from a solid. Discuss gases and ask students what they think will happen to water in the bowl if it is left in the sun. Refer to rain puddles on the sidewalk to help children understand the concept of evaporation. At the end of this discussion, leave the water bowl out near a window, if possible. Have the children check on the water the next day to see if any of it evaporated.
Although it may be hard for a young student to understand scientific things, several activities can simplify complex processes. Making colored carnations is a prime example of that. Start with white carnations. Explain how flowers need water to stay alive and grow, and that plants suck water up through their roots and stems. Place white carnations in four clear glass vases. Fill the vases two-thirds of the way with water. Put a few drops of food coloring in each vase. Use a different color of food coloring for each vase. The next day, children will be able to see that petals of the carnation changed from white to the color of food coloring put in the water.
This activity will help young students learn how to hypothesize and make observations. You will need a large bowl or tub of water and a wide variety of items that can be dropped in the water. First, let the children examine the different items and make observations. For example, they can observe which items are smaller than others, which items are heavy, and which items have different shapes. Then, for each item, the students should guess, based on their observations, whether the item will sink or float. Once each child has recorded a hypothesis, put the object in the water. Whether the item floated on top of the water or sunk to the bottom will determine if the children hypothesized correctly.