Sunday, July 18, 2010

Periodic Table in Song, part one



We tend to make up a lot of songs to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

I know. It's not all that original. But it's the memory part that counts, right?

This particular little jingle (starring the names and numbers of the periodic table of the elements) is one we made up a learned a long time ago (I'm guessing a year and a half or more) but have recently been revisiting.

We're singing along to the next ten elements now (sodium through calcium) and hoping to work our way through all 114 or so, ten at a time.

This has recently provoked an interest in what elements are and a fascination of the idea that "everything in the world is made out of these element" and, also, having the names come up other random places (such as oxygen and sodium) which provoke more learning.

It is nice how that works, isn't it? You learn something "by rote" but then, of course, you have that information in your brain. Which tends to pop up everywhere, like finding Van Gogh in bathroom art or seeing Texas in clouds. Or realizing that neon is the element that makes up those neat lights and helium is what makes those balloons float.

Connections. It's all about making connections. But you have to have the facts there in order to connect them.

And singing those facts? Well, that just makes it all the more fun. And I think that, perhaps, kindergartners really don't have a preference for one, two, buckle my shoe over hydrogen, helium, lithium.


Just sayin.
"...in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat..." 
2 Peter 3:10
Hunter, in video, is 5 years, 3 months old 





4 comments:

  1. Why not! Their minds are such little sponges. Why not have them memorize the periodic table? I love it!

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  2. Thanks. I figure it is just as easy as learning any other little jingle, might as well make it something useful!

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  3. No they really don't (finally getting caught up on people linking up) have a preference.
    Thanks for linking up!

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  4. Hi,
    We are a Doman household too living in England. Just discovered your blog yesterday and am thoroughly enjoying exploring. Thank you for documenting everything so beautifully - very insightful and inspiring. I have a 3 year old daughter with baby 2 due in Dec. Do you have any tips on time management because that is the aspect I struggle with most :) - Cheers, Priti

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