Learning through Science: Letters A through E

After a bit of a hiatus the learning through science series is back!

If you all remember, I had an idea last year that I could use science to teach my son the basics facts he needed to know for preschool. I have already share with you how to teach the colors through science and in this post I want to share five science activities you can use to enhance your studies of the letters A through E.

Before we get started, I must share with you my disclaimer.

The Learning through Science Disclaimer

My goal is to introduce my preschooler to his colors, shapes, and letters through scientific activities. My hope is that this will increase his observations skills and make learning these basic facts more interesting.

What I share in these posts is my plan, some weeks we will actually do all of these activities, most we won’t. Sometimes that plan goes off without a hitch – sometimes it doesn’t.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the activities!

Learning the Letters A through E with Science

Letter A – Alligator Eggs

You will need an egg, a glass, and vinegar for this demonstration.

The day before, you will need to place the egg in the glass and cover it with vinegar. Set the glass in a place where it won’t be disturbed and let it sit for at least twenty-four hours.

The next day, teach your students about the letter A and explain that alligators begin with A. Then, share with them about how an alligator egg is not hard, instead it is soft and rubbery. Tell them that yesterday you made an alligator egg for them as you take the egg out of the vinegar. Let the students observe and play with the egg.

Teacher’s Note – The egg should be soft and rubbery, so use caution as the egg will easily break.

Letter B – Ball Drop

You will need several different sizes of balls for this demonstration.

Teach your students about the letter B. Share with them that the word ball begins with the letter B, and that today you are going to have some fun dropping balls to see which one lands first.

Head outside to a safe place where there is a bit of an overhang at which the students can drop balls. Have them choose two balls and drop them to see which one lands first.

Teacher’s Note – This is a fun activity for the students, but they will also be learning a bit about gravity and how it affects objects!

Letter C – Caterpillar Hunt

You will need a magnifying glass and a camera for this demonstration.

Teach your students about the letter C. Share with them that the word caterpillar begins with the letter C and that today you are going to go on a caterpillar hunt!

Give each of the students a magnifying glass and head outside to hunt for caterpillars. If you see one, observe it and then take a picture.

Teacher’s Note – If you want to take this a step further, use the pictures to make a caterpillar collage once you get back inside.

Letter D – Sifting Dirt

You will need a plastic strainer, a shovel, and a place to dig for this demonstration.

Teach your students about the letter D. Share with them that the word dirt begins with the letter D and that today you are going to have some fun sifting through dirt to see what you can find.

Head outside and have the students find a spot that they in which they can dig. Have them get several scoopfuls of dirt and use the plastic strainer to sift out the larger chunks.

Teacher’s Note – As your student works, you can point out that dirt is composed of lots of different things, including rocks, leaves, and twigs.

Letter E – Elephant Toothpaste

You will need a plastic bottle, small bowl, warm water, yeast, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap for this demonstration. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of warm water with about a tablespoon of yeast and set aside.

Then, teach your students about the letter E. Share with them that the word elephant begins with the letter E and today you are going to make toothpaste especially for an elephant.

Pour about 1/2 a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the plastic bottle and add several drops of liquid dish soap. Next, quickly add the yeast mixture and step back to watch the toothpaste form!

Teacher’s Note – This demonstration is very messy, so you may want to do it outside or set it in the sink before adding the yeast mixture!

The Final Product

My son thoroughly enjoyed these activities when we did them last year as he made his letter notebook. I trust that your preschooler will have a blast too :-)!