[Today we have a guest post from Melissa Roy of Beyond Mommying.]
I started as a dancer and then ballet teacher. After college, I started teaching preschool. And now, I'm a homeschooling mommy to four. I've been a lot of things in my life yet, somehow, they've all involved music in one way or another.
I learned quickly as a preschool teacher that kids love music. Singing, moving, rhyming, all keep them interested much longer than any other activity. And as a ballet teacher, I know that the rhythms involved in singing songs or saying poems help students to remember things.
So since we don't use an actual science curriculum in our homeschool, I decided to help my kids with learning about some of the basic science concepts by writing out rhymes to help them remember. (You can also download and print the science rhymes here.)
States of Matter
Ice is a solid, That’s what makes it cool, But warm it up a little And it becomes a pool.
Water is a liquid Sloshing here and there, But heat it up some more And it vanishes in the air.
Steam is a gas, It goes up and scatters. Solid, Liquid, Gas: Three states of matter.
The Five Senses
My nose is used to smell, My eyes are used to see, My ears are used to hear What is all around me.
My skin is used to touch, My tongue is used to taste. My five senses tell me All about my world and space.
Parts of a Flower
The stem of a plant, Holds it up nice and straight. The flower attracts bees To help pollinate.
The leaves make plant food, Using water, lights and air. The roots hold onto the ground, Making sure it stays right there!
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Butterflies start as eggs, Laying on a leaf. Then they change to caterpillars, Though this stage is brief.
Next they make a small cocoon Called a chrysalis. And become a butterfly: This is metamorphosis.
Life Cycle of a Pumpkin
Pumpkins start as a little seed, Then a sprout and plant. Vines grow windy, long and green, Before the bud pops out.
A big, yellow flower comes next Then a green pumpkin grows, And soon a big orange pumpkin Is ready for its Halloween glow!
Melissa Roy is a ballerina, homeschooling mom to four. She blogs at Beyond Mommying. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
How fun! I love teaching with songs and games. I think kids remember so much more easily if they learn something while having fun!