Each September, at the end of our unit on the five senses, my team has “Apple Day” where we use apples to help investigate our five senses. I love science and STEM, so I’d like to do something in those areas. I usually have students investigate if apples sink or float, but I’d like to change things up this year. Any ideas?

I have a water table in my kindergarten classroom and my students love to use it during literacy and math times for a variety of letter and number activities. I also let them use it during our play time so they can explore how water moves and changes in different containers of different shapes and sizes. What do you add to your water table to keep it fun and interesting for your students?

During my dissertation work, I used a age appropriate mock crime scene to help my kinder students investigate some fairy tale crimes (Who stole the Little Red Hen’s loaf of bread), and am looking for other immersive experiences outside of mock crime scenes and escape rooms. Any other suggestions?

I am looking for some new loose parts! Do you have any favorites or recommendations?

What are ways that you have found that engage all or most of your students?

What are some of your favorite STEM picture books for younger children?