Okay... day three of sharing cool February science ideas... get ready to make crystals! If you've never made crystals using Borax soap, this is a great time to try it out. It's not difficult at all, but it does take 24 hours for the kids to see dramatic results, so don't save this one for a Friday. You only need a handful of supplies and a little bit of patience.
This investigation can be found in my Valentine Science pack. It includes all the directions, student recording sheets, science explanation sheets, and anchor chart photos to help make the process more visual and concrete for the children.
I think these sweet hearts make great Valentine gifts for the children to take home to their families. They also look really pretty hanging in front of a sunny window, so consider getting some ribbon and displaying them for a little added sparkle in the classroom.
In the lesson, I recommend NOT throwing away the cups after the hearts are removed the next day. Crystals will form on the sides of the cup, too. Teach the children to be delicate when handling their crystal hearts, but the leftover materials in the cup are perfect for further hands-on exploration. I like to let the kids hold them, rub them, and press them to see how they feel, smell, look, and sound.
Happy teaching!
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