Ready for some good gooey green science fun? Is it a solid or a liquid or something else? making oobleck is one of my favorite activities to do for Read Across America in March and it ties in perfectly with a favorite story by Dr. Seuss and your lessons on matter!
The gooey green stuff is a substance called oobleck. In the popular story, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss, oobleck covers the town in a series of sticky disasters.
Oobleck Science, Bartholomew and the Green Goo!
Get ready for some mesmerizing, messy, and mind-blowing science fun this Read Across America season! What better way to celebrate than with a gooey green substance called oobleck, inspired by the whimsical Dr. Seuss story, Bartholomew and the Oobleck? This activity is perfect for first, second and third graders, easily integrating literacy, science, and sensory exploration.
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Making oobleck with your class is a really fun way to tie science in with your read aloud for Dr. Seuss Day. Here’s a little science info you can use in your lesson:
Oobleck Science: Is it a solid? Is it a liquid? It’s both!
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning it behaves differently depending on the pressure applied. Gently stir it, and it flows like a liquid. Plunge your hand in, and it feels solid! This fascinating property helps introduce students to the concept of states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) in an engaging, hands-on way.
Learning Beyond the Goo:
- Literacy connection: Before diving into the oobleck, read Bartholomew and the Oobleck together. Discuss the story’s events and how oobleck impacted the town.
- Scientific exploration: After creating oobleck (recipe below!), encourage students to experiment and observe:
- How can this substance act like a solid? How can it behave like a liquid? What happens when you squeeze it and then slowly open your hand? How does it flow when stirred quickly or slowly?
- Challenge them to predict and investigate: Ask, “What do you think will happen if we add more cornstarch or more water?”
- Sensory play: Oobleck’s squishy nature provides rich sensory input, promoting fine motor skills development and sensory processing.
- Vocabulary expansion: Introduce and discuss terms like solid, liquid, and with older students, non-Newtonian fluid, viscosity, and pressure.
Doesn’t this sound like an amazing science project to do with your class? There are so many learning possibilities with this oobleck and Dr. Seuss theme. Here’s the recipe so you can get started exploring oobleck with your own students.
Oobleck recipe:
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Combine cornstarch and water in a bowl. Mix slowly until combined.
- Add food coloring if desired.
- Keep adding small amounts of water or cornstarch until the oobleck reaches the desired consistency.
Safety tips:
- Supervise closely during the activity.
- Avoid ingesting oobleck.
- Use washable trays or containers.
Extend the learning:
- Create oobleck variations with different colors, glitter, or scents.
- Read other Dr. Seuss stories featuring interesting substances, like “The Butter Battle Book.”
- Have students write their own oobleck stories.
So as you work on March lesson planning, consider this fun read aloud story and be sure to add oobleck science to your resources for Read Across America. With this engaging and educational activity, you’ll have your elementary students asking questions, making observations, and having a blast learning about the wonders of science! Happy ooblecking!
Here’s a free printable with the recipe for your files. You will also want to send it home with students so they can make oobleck at home with their parents! Click on the picture to download a copy!
Check out another March blog post for more teaching ideas for your classroom!
Keywords: Read Across America, Dr. Seuss, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, oobleck, science, states of matter, second grade, literacy, sensory exploration
