Discovery Bottles (P – T)

Discovery Bottles P - T by Teach Preschool

P is for Play and Popcorn and Pumpkins

Discovery bottles are intended to be used for play but as adults, we tend to be limited in our view of how a discovery bottle can be used.  I have seen children wrap their bottles up in blankets and call them “babies,” roll them on the floor and use them for playing store and restaurant…

Rolling the Bottle on the Floor

Although, we tend to think of discovery bottles just as something to look at, remember that for young children, a discovery bottle can be a tool for play.

Playing with a discovery bottle

P is for Popcorn and Pumpkins

Popcorn Bottle by Teach Preschool

Click on Photo to read more!
Click on Photo to read more!

Q is for Questions

Asking questions is always a great way to invite conversation and exploration of  a discovery bottle.  Consider making a set of questions for each type of discovery bottle you make.  You could print your question(s) on a small card to store with the discovery bottle or post questions on a wall near where you keep your discovery bottles.  Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will also get you thinking of how the discovery bottle can extend learning or be used throughout the classroom environment…

Questions for Discovery Bottles

R is for Rainsticks and Rainbows and Ribbon

A very popular use for discovery bottles is to explore the colors of the rainbow…

Click the photo to read more!
Click the photo to read more!
Click the photo to view the Rain Stick Discovery Bottle by In Lieu of Preschool
Ribbon Discovery Bottles
Ribbon in a Bottle

S is for Science and Sensory and Seasons, Salt and Static and Straws

Discovery bottles can lead to an endless supply of scientific discoveries and explorations.  The discovery bottle is a way of preserving the materials or extending the experience over time.  Of course, just like anything you make for the classroom, there still is a need to make sure the lid continues to stay securely closed or that the bottle isn’t cracking open anywhere. In the photo below, my students are examining the stuffing found inside of a diaper. What do you think will happen if we add water to the diaper stuffing bottle?…

Exploring baby diaper stuffing

And in this photo, my students are examining the properties of pumpkin seeds.  Do you think it is possible for the pumpkin seed to grow in the bottle?…

pumpkin seed discovery bottle

S is also for…

Click the photo to view all these science discovery bottles from Everything and Nothing
Click the photo to view all these science discovery bottles from Everything and Nothing
Click on the photo to view the Sensory Bottles by The Iowa Farmer's Wife
Click on the photo to view the Sensory Bottles by The Iowa Farmer’s Wife
Click the Photo to see "Four Seasons Discovery Bottles" from Here Come the Girls
Click the Photo to see “Four Seasons Discovery Bottles” from Here Come the Girls
Click the photo to view "Saltwater Discovery Bottles" by My Buddies and I
Click the photo to view “Saltwater Discovery Bottles” by My Buddies and I
Click photo to view "Static Electricity Tubes" by My Buddies and I
Click photo to view “Static Electricity Tubes” by My Buddies and I

T is for Temperature and Time and Tape

Don’t forget to also change the temperature of the water you pour in a discovery bottle. Different temperatures are interesting to explore and can easily be held by small hands when placed in a water bottle. Of course, be careful not to get water too hot but do go from very warm to freezing.  What about the affects different temperatures of water will have on other elements you place in a discovery bottle.  What happens when you pour the warm water into salt, sugar, sand?  Draw up your questions, grab a water bottle and a few other materials and you have yourself a wonderful opportunity to explore temperature.

Discovery bottles also provide a unique way to explore time. Have the child count out the number of seconds it takes for an object to fall from one end of a bottle to another.  Change out the objects, add oil, add water, and with each change, see if their is a change in length of time.

Tape Bottle by Teach Preschool

Come back tomorrow for more tips and examples of discovery bottles or hop on over the the ABC’s of Discovery Bottles landing page!

More ABC’s…

KBN-ABCs-of-Button

Be sure to check out the ABC’s of Literacy by my fellow bloggers (shown below)…

Literacy:

 

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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