Grade Levels: K-3

These family and homeschool activities are designed to complement the Scientific Method topic on BrainPOP Jr.

Science at Home
There are plenty of opportunities to do science experiments at home. Together think of a question to ask, such as what dissolves in water, what floats or sinks, etc. Then come up with a hypothesis and an experiment plan. Have your child write the steps of the experiment and try it. Remember to record data during the experiment. Help your child come up with a conclusion and share your findings with family members.

Prediction in the Kitchen
A great way to teach science and spend time with your child is to cook with your child. Together, follow a recipe and stress the importance of following directions. Note the importance of checking ahead to make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment required, of having the proper safety tools (for example, oven mitts, etc.), and of making sure you have the time to complete the cooking project. What might happen if you skipped a step in the recipe or used a different ingredient? As you cook, have your child make predictions about what will happen when ingredients are combined and what the final product will look like. Your child can record data by writing down observations and measurements into a sensory detail chart.

Ad Awareness
Many commercials and advertisements make promises about a product. For example, a specific brand of toothpaste will whiten teeth after five days or a detergent will take out grass stains. Watch a few commercials together and have your child question a product and put it to the test. Use the scientific method to come up with an experiment and draw a conclusion. What is the best way to test if the product keeps its promise? Help your child write down an experiment plan, record data, and draw a conclusion. Share the findings with your family members. You and your child may also wish to make up a commercial discuss the findings. For example, if the detergent does not remove a grass stain, your child can write a commercial saying that the detergent does not work as promised and offer other solutions.