Ever wonder how much science and math take place in a first grade classroom? You don’t have to look any further than Mrs. Laurie Myer’s class of first graders at Perdido Elementary School to find out.  Students have recently been studying things that are ‘living’ and ‘non-living’ in science, as well as physical and chemical changes.  In their latest experiment, they also practiced measuring, reading and following directions while witnessing the scientific changes that took place. Using a simple recipe that requires only four ingredients, students were able to witness both physical and chemical changes right before their eyes, as they made “Flubber”.

Teachers at Perdido Elementary/Middle School utilize hands-on activities whenever possible to fully engage their students in the learning process.  In addition, they have found that whenever possible, the best teaching practices include using a thematic approach, one that incorporates multiple subject skills, so that students can see first hand how all areas of learning are interrelated.

The recipe is:

 

Mixture 1:         ¾ cups warm water

 

1 cup Elmers Glue

 

Food coloring

 

 

 

Mixture 2:         2 tsp. Borax

 

½ cup Warm Water

 

 

 

Procedures:  Stir mixture 1 together in 1 bowl, mixture 2 in another bowl.  Make sure both are mixed well.  Pour mixture 1 into mixture 2.  No need to stir, just reach in and pull out glob of Flubber! Work together for 2 to 3 minutes.