Crystals ★ Snowflakes are made of ice crystals.

Grades 4 and 5 They’re beautiful, but hard to see clearly.

Making paper snowflakes will give your
A crystal is a special kind of solid. Growing crystals introduces children to
child an idea of what snowflakes look like.
change and variation.
Have her:

What You Need —Take a circle of paper (use thin paper)

and fold it in half.
★ A magnifying glass
—Fan-fold it.
★ Table salt
—Make cuts along all the edges.
★ Epsom salt
—Unfold them.
★ Honey container

★ Measuring cups and spoons

★ Paper cut into circles

★ Safety scissors
When certain liquids and gases cool and lose water, crystals are
★ Pencil
formed. Crystals are made up of molecules that fit neatly together in
an orderly package. All crystals of the same material have the same
What to Do shape, regardless of their size.
★ Help your child to use a magnifying glass to look for crystals. Inspect
the table salt, Epsom salt and honey container (particularly if it has
been open for awhile). Ask your child to draw pictures in her
journal of what she observes. Do all of the crystals look the same? If Let ‘Em Make Cake!
not, how are they different?
All ages
★ Have your child try dissolving salt crystals and forming new ones.
Making cakes is an enjoyable way to help children of all ages learn about
Help her to do the following:
chemical reactions and change.
—Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water.
—Heat the mixture over low heat to evaporate the water. <!> What You Need
★ 3 small bowls
What’s left? What shape are these crystals? ★ Several sheets of aluminum foil

★ Pie pan

★ Cooking oil

32 Helping Your Child Learn Science Helping Your Child Learn Science 33