Science & Nature Best Practices

Follow up Quiz

  1. It is important to locate a Science area near a window to take advantage of the sun for growing plants and to be able to observe nature outdoors with the children.

a.True

b.False

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  1. Your children discover a few Daddy Long Legs crawling across the sidewalk. You’ve always been very fearful of them and it bothers you to watch your children attempt to pick them up. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate response:

a.Shriek loudly, “Get away from the spiders, children!” before cowering in a corner by the slide, and ask someone to step on them.

b.Ask a fellow teacher to collect a few of them in a large plastic jar along with a few twigs and leaves, and place them in your Science corner for the children to observe for the rest of the day.

c.Swallow your fears and sit with your children as they observe the Daddy Long Legs. Talk with them about what they’re observing.

d. Grab the magnifying glasses and encourage your co-teacher to sit with the children as they examine them up close.

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  1. Seashells, wood/bark, leaves, birds nest (check licensing regulations in your state) rocks, twigs/branches, bugs or insects, would be different items that can be considered as collections of natural objects.

a.True

b.False

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  1. Children can and should participate in collecting natural objects for your Science Collection.

a.True

b.False

  1. It’s important to have living things in any early childhood classroom.

a.True

b.False

Phoenix Children’s Academy2011 Training

  1. As you’re working in the Infant Nursery, you glance outside and notice a rabbit sitting on the grass. What do you do to make this a “teachable moment” for your babies?

a.Pick up a little one, walk over to window or

b.If possible—take baby outdoors where you can observe the bunny.

c.Talk about what you see, “Look at the gray bunny sitting on the grass. Do you see his fluffy tail? I wonder if he’s hungry. Maybe we should ask our Chef for a carrot to feed him.”

d.All of the above

  1. Your Director just purchased some new color paddles for you to add to your Science area. Which is NOT the appropriate step to take to ensure they get used appropriately:

a.Take them out of the package during Morning Circle/Meeting and talk with the children about the ways they can be used.

b. Keep them locked in your cabinet; this kind of equipment costs a lot of money and you don’t want them ruined.

c.Take them outdoors one morning and challenge the children to look at different objects with them.

d.None of the above

  1. In excellent toddler classrooms, some type of water (or sand) play should be offered _____ times per week.

a.Five

b.One

c.Three

d.Weekly is not necessary

  1. The budget is tight and funds are limited but you’d love to add enrichments to your Science area that reflect October’s “Fun on the Farm” focus theme. What can you do?

a.Add Animal fur or faux fur to your interest centers

b.Make picture books or add pictures of farm animals (not clip art)

c.Add books about farming and farm life

d.Bring in or ask parents to donate corn stalks or pumpkins

e.Add clean (fake)feathers

f.All of the above

  1. Adding theme-based props to the Water Table (like dolls during a unit entitled “Me and My Family”) are a good way to immerse children in the theme.

a.True

b.False

Phoenix Children’s Academy2011 Training