It has been awhile since I’ve done a dollar store finds on this blog and last week I finally had a chance to run to the dollar store and search for items to make the perfect dollar store finds post. Luckily, I was only looking for about two minutes before I found the perfect items. I first saw a little wind chime, and then I saw a cute flower pinwheel. Little Bear has been asking a bunch of questions about the wind recently so when I saw those two items, I knew they were perfect for a lesson on wind.
I didn’t write out a formal lesson plan, but this activity is perfect for preschoolers and even Kindergartners If I have a bunch of people request a wind lesson plan, then I will make one. For now, here is the fun process we went through to have an awesome lesson on the wind.
Materials (all from the dollar store!!)
- Wind Chime
- Flower Pinwheel
- Palm Leaf Table Topper
- Hula Skirt
Begin the wind lesson by asking students a simple question, what is the wind? Ask, Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it? Get a quick discussion going about the wind. Tell students (or your kids) that they will be making observations about the wind.
Start by choosing one item (we did the wind chime first, but in retrospect, I would have done the hula skirt first. It wasn’t extremely windy outside and the wind chime didn’t really chime.). Hold up the item while inside and have your students observe what the item looks like. Now ask students how they think the item might change when they take it out in the wind.
Go outside and hold the item up and observe the item. Have students explain how the item is different now that it is in the wind.
Go back inside and observe the last three items while inside. Go outside and observe the items while they are in the wind. Through the lesson, talk about what the wind does and answer the questions, Can you see it? Can you hear it? Can you feel it?
This lesson is perfect for a preschool class, but it is also perfect to do just with your kids. I did this activity with just my two children and they really loved it. I was surprised at how much Little Bear learned and how much he observed. This was a perfect activity for a slightly windy, but warm day.
Fun – we love the dollar store!
Isn’t it the best? It seems I can always find something good there.
My 4 year old and I recently (about 2 weeks ago) had a similar discussion prompted by a balloon we purchased from Dollar Tree moving in the wind when we left the store. I swear we got the oddest looks from several other customers who passed us on the sidewalk as we were paused outside the store just talking about wind, lol. I love the idea to use wind chimes as a way of showing wind. We have a set of Dollar Tree wind chimes on our patio but I just never thought to use them for discussing wind before. Thanks for the idea!
You are welcome! I love that you had already had a discussion about balloons. I may have to point out the concept of wind with the next balloons we purchase too!