Although we don’t stick to a strict letter of the week format, I do like to tie in meaningful activities that relate to a focus letter. I find it helps kids develop background knowledge and make connections that help them remember the letter more easily. I knew the kids would enjoy a marshmallow theme, and we started with a simple marshmallow five senses science investigation. They loved it…even more than me! We did many marshmallow-related science, reading, and math activities along the way.
Marshmallow Five Senses Science Investigation
We started by using our five senses to explore the properties of marshmallows. The kids always enjoy using a hand lens, so they spent a while examining all of the sides of the marshmallows.
We squeezed the marshmallows to see if we could hear anything, and they both decided that marshmallows don’t make a sound. We briefly talked about why they think marshmallows don’t make a sound.
Then they smelled the marshmallows, and we stopped to talk about what the smell made them think of. I wasn’t surprised when the first response was, “Eating!” We also tried to think of some describing words to describe the scent.
Next we used our sense of touch to feel the marshmallows. This is the part they really enjoyed! First we felt the outside of the marshmallow and tried to describe how it feels.
Then we pulled the marshmallow apart to feel the inside of the marshmallow. The kids were surprised that it felt different than the outside, and they spent some time pulling the marshmallow into smaller pieces.
To continue using our sense of touch we decided to put water on the marshmallow. Then we could explore whether it feels the same when it is wet as it does when it is dry. They loved getting the marshmallows wet and feeling the change in texture. They also found out that their marshmallows were much harder to hold onto when they were wet!
So that left the sense of taste…I intended to give them clean, dry marshmallows, but I wasn’t quite fast enough. Someone said, “Can we eat them?”
As I answered and reached for the new marshmallows they both popped a piece of the wet, slimy marshmallows in their mouths, and they didn’t hesitate to go back for more.
At least we washed our hands before we got started!
That was the beginning of our marshmallow week. Next I will share one of the science experiments we did with marshmallows.
What activities have you done with marshmallows?
A Full Week of 5 Senses Lesson Plans
Continue learning about the five senses with our printable lesson plan set. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provide different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
Get Your Copy
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
Tammy
I know I’m getting to this a bit later than it was posted but what a great idea! I plan to use this next year when I teach my five senses unit, and I hope I can find your marshmallow experiments to use as well.
Shaunna
Thanks for reading, Tammy, and for sharing your thoughts!
marie
nice ideas, thank you
Jill
What a fun hands on way to learn about the five senses! Super fun! Can’t wait to see your science experiments that you did using marshmallows.
Thank you for linking up to the brand new Hearts for Home Blog Hop this week!
Shaunna
Thanks for hosting! I am glad you liked this activity.
Erin
I featured your post today at mom’s library! I hope you’ll share more of your ideas!
http://chickenbabies.blogspot.com/2013/01/moms-library-9.html
Shaunna
Thanks so much for featuring this post, Erin!
Debs
Hi there, great post! Thanks for sharing it on Tuesday Tots. I’ve featured it on this week’s TT. If you’d like to see it, it’s here http://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2013/01/sensory-play-ideas.html# Look forward to seeing what you link up this week 🙂
Shaunna
Thank you so much for the feature! I am so glad you liked the post. Our Marshmallow Sensory play is linked up this week! 🙂
Erin
Yum. This is a great activity, one I will be using for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Shaunna
Thanks! Hope you enjoy doing the activity.
Rachel
Ok, this post is just awesome! I am going to keep this in mind for when we do the letter M! We haven’t made it there yet.
If you’re interested, I’d love to have you link up at my Teaching Time for Toddlers!
http://philwife.blogspot.com/2013/01/teaching-time-for-toddlers-tv.html
Shaunna
I am so glad you liked it, Rachel! It was both fun and a great learning experience. Thanks so much for letting me know about your link up. I’ll stop by.
Stephanie
Yum! My kiddos and I love “mushmeddows!” I’ll save this one for when they have a little more impulse control…there is no way they could do anything right now other than stuff them in their mouths 🙂 Can’t wait to see your other activities!
Shaunna
🙂 My little one calls them “mo-mos.” Your little ones might really enjoy Wednesday’s activity.
Eddie - The Usual Mayhem
What a great way to learn about the 5 senses! Yum!
Shaunna
Thanks! It was a great beginning to our marshmallow activities.
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest
I love how you took a simple marshmallow and made such an interesting 5 senses activity out of it. I can tell by the pics that they kids really enjoyed it.
Shaunna
Thanks, Ann! We spent a lot of time exploring those little marshmallows. The kids really did have fun, and it gave us so many more ideas to explore. The other ones coming up this week were even more fun 🙂
Ashley
Very cute! May have to do this when we talk about senses!
Shaunna
Thanks! We had fun with it!
Janice
Oh, wow, how fun is this!! Yum!! I will have to remember ‘m’ for marshmallows when we cover this letter in the alphabet…..my kids would love this!!
Shaunna
Thanks, Janice! All this week I will be posting more of the activities we did…the kids really enjoyed them! Hope you do, too!