Soap Grating and Bubble Making

My little ones have been having a blast with soap grating and bubble making recently. I have this work set up as shown below. 

 

First, they grate the soap using a Pampered Chef cheese grater.  Please note that the soap shown in the white dish is glycerine soap.  I do not recommend using this because it doesn't dissolve well.  We had to use it one day because I had forgotten to bring the white Ivory soap I usually use.  Definitely go with the Ivory soap.  When giving the lesson on this work I showed the children how to hold the grater and how much soap to grate.

 

After grating the soap into the first blue bowl, they scrap it into the "holding" bowl on the clear tray shown below.  That way another child who is waiting can start grating.  The child whose soap is in the "holding" bowl is then ready to make bubbles with their grated soap.  They may have to wait for another child to finish making bubbles, however.

 

To do bubble making, they must first put on an apron (not shown in photo).  Then they take the pitcher and get water (only to the red line) at the sink and pour the water into the yellow bowl.  Next, they add their grated soap to the bowl.  The final step is to use a wire whisk to make bubbles.  Another option would be to use an egg beater.  The one I have at school turns really hard and would only frustrate the children which is why we are currently using a little whisk. 

 

When they are finished making bubbles, they carefully carry the yellow bowl to the classroom sink and pour the bubbles and water out.  They can use the blue sponge to wipe up any spills and prepare for the next child.

This activity is wonderful in that it is very motivating for the children to try.  (What child doesn't love to play with water?) Yet within this really fun activity they are learning to follow multi-step directions and to sustain their concentration and effort to complete an activity.  They are also practicing motor skill and motor control as they learn how to manage all the tools and equipment involved in this work. 

Comments

[Laura]

Thanks for writing, Kerri. Im glad she enjoyed this work.
Laura

To: directress@live.com

[Kerri]

Hello! We ended up using this activity! It was such a hit with Ella. You can tell she got great satisfaction from it. We will definitely be doing it again! I blogged about it and linked it up to Tot School with a Link back to you. Thanks! Kerri http://ellebellesbows.blogspot.com/2010/11/tot-school-practical-life-skills.html

[sherry eklund]

I like the idea of the pampered chef cheese grater. Nice addition to soap grating!

[Nikki]

Great idea and very well prepared. Thanks for the idea.