3 Easy Show and Tell Clues for a Ice Cube

Bringing an object for Show and Tell Letter I week can be a surprisingly tricky task. While "Igloo" is the classic textbook example, it’s not exactly something you can toss in a backpack. "Iguanas" are cool but high-maintenance, and "Instruments" are great if you have one handy.

But sometimes, the most magical thing in a child's eyes is right in your freezer. If you are looking for a brilliant, hands-on, and slightly "cool" option, look no further than the humble Ice Cube.

What Exactly is an Ice Cube?

To us, it’s just something that keeps a drink cold. But to a preschooler or kindergartner, an ice cube is a tiny miracle of science. Simply put, an ice cube is water that has gotten so cold (32°F or 0°C) that it turned from a wiggly liquid into a solid, hard shape.

It is one of the few things a child can bring to school that literally changes its state of matter right before their eyes. It starts as a solid, turns into a slippery liquid, and—if the classroom is warm enough—eventually disappears into thin air as a gas!

Why the Ice Cube is a "Show and Tell Letter I" Champion

When searching for the perfect item for Show and Tell Letter I, you want something that reinforces the letter sound clearly. "Ice" starts with that long "I" sound that is easy for kids to pronounce and remember.

One of the best things about using an ice cube for school is the "I" connection beyond just the name. You can help your child describe it using other "I" words:

• Is it cold? Yes!
• Is it interesting? Absolutely.
• Is it invisible (clear)? Almost!

Choosing an ice cube shows that you don’t need a fancy toy to have a great presentation; you just need a bit of imagination and a thermos.

The "Show" Part: Sensory Details

To help your child give a great presentation, encourage them to describe the ice cube using their five senses. This is where an Ice Cube Show and Tell really shines because it’s so tactile.

• Touch: It feels freezing, numbing, and incredibly slippery. As it melts, it feels wet and "slimy" in a fun way.
• Sight: Is it perfectly clear like glass, or is it cloudy in the middle? (Those clouds are actually tiny air bubbles trapped inside!) Does it have sharp corners or rounded edges?
• Sound: If you drop it into a cup of water, it makes a "plink" or a "splash." If it's very cold and you pour water over it, it might even "crack" or "pop."
• Weight: It feels light at first, but it gets smaller and lighter the longer you hold it.

Presentation & "Acting" Tips

Since an ice cube won't last forever, your child needs a "cool" way to present it.

The Transport Trick: Don’t just send it in a plastic bag—it will be a puddle by circle time! Put three or four large ice cubes in a high-quality insulated thermos. This keeps them solid and adds an element of mystery when your child opens the lid.

The Performance:

• The Reveal: Have your child keep the lid on and ask the class, "I am cold, I am clear, and I disappear if it gets too hot. What am I?"
• The Slide: If the teacher allows, have your child slide the ice cube across a small tray or a plastic lid. It moves so much faster than a toy car because of the thin layer of water underneath it.
• The Shiver: Encourage your child to give a big "Brrrr!" and a shiver when they take it out to show how cold it is.

Questions to Practice:

1. How long do you think it will take to melt?
2. Where did the water go when it turned into ice?
3. Why does ice float in water instead of sinking?

3 Fun Facts to Impress the Class

1. Ice Floats! Most things get heavier and sink when they turn solid, but water is special. It expands and gets lighter, which is why ice cubes float in your juice (and why icebergs float in the ocean!).
2. Clear vs. Cloudy: If you boil water before freezing it, you can sometimes make "crystal clear" ice. The white "cloud" in the middle of your ice cube is actually trapped air!
3. The Giant Ice Cube: The largest piece of ice in the world is the Antarctic Ice Sheet. It’s like a giant ice cube that covers a whole continent!

An Ice Cube Show and Tell is a fantastic way to blend phonics with a little bit of "cool" science. It’s simple, memorable, and a guaranteed hit with the "I" week crowd!