Materials:

• paper of different weights, fabric, blocks, small plastic or metal objects (no sharp edges)
• string
• hole punch (two)
• child safety scissors
• tape
• clipboards, paper, pencil
• chart paper and markers
• compasses

Objective: Children will develop science, math, and observation skills as they learn about the wind.

In Advance: On a sheet of chart paper, write What can the wind blow? On the next line, write Predictions. Create two columns, one for items the wind can blow and the other column for items it cannot. Introduce this activity on a windy day.

ACTIVITY

1. Engage the class in a discussion about the day's windy weather. Ask them to look out the window and observe how the wind affects the environment. Encourage them to notice how the wind blows some objects and not others. Can they explain why this happens?
2. Show the group a variety of paper, fabric, wood, plastic, and metal objects. Ask them to predict which objects the wind can and cannot blow. Record their predictions on the chart paper.
3. Invite children to take the materials outdoors to test their predictions. Ask them to place different objects on the ground. Which items will the wind blow? Will the wind blow objects if they are changed (for instance, by bending, tearing, or cutting paper or fabric or rolling paper into a ball)? Compare an open paper bag with a closed paper bag. Will the wind blow objects that are placed flat on the ground as opposed to standing upright? Ask children to feel the textures and weights of different items to notice why some objects move and others do not. Encourage them to place items in different areas and to think of more ways to investigate.
4. After they have conducted their experiments, bring each group together to discuss what they learned about the wind. Record their comments. Bring the entire class together and have each group present their findings. Compare their observations with their original predictions.

Curriculum Connection: SCIENCE

Wind Direction. Take the children outside on a windy day. Bring along several compasses and explain how they work. Ask children how they can see which direction the wind is coming from by observing the environment. Now use the compass to locate the direction. Do they think that the wind blows from this direction all the time? Prepare a chart so children can record the direction of the wind for the next few days.