Experiential Learning with Language

Why "Squeeze" and "Squash" Are More Than Just English Words!

Have you ever thought that words like squeeze, squash, crush, and press aren’t just vocabulary terms for your English class, but actually hold some serious science and math lessons within them? That’s right! These words aren’t just meant to be memorized or used in sentences; they’re packed with scientific concepts and experiences that can deepen your understanding of the world around you.

Let’s take a closer look at how these seemingly simple words are hiding some real-life science experiments and why experiential learning is the best way to teach them—especially when it comes to students from Grades 6 to 8.

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Turning Words into Science Experiments

Squeeze

When you squeeze something, like a sponge, you apply a gentle force from opposite sides. It compresses under the pressure, flattens a bit, and then bounces back to its original shape. In this action, you’re observing how elasticity works—some materials can spring back after being squished because of their flexible structure.

Squash

Now, if you step on something soft, like a piece of clay, you’re squashing it. The force you apply is stronger, and the clay stays flattened because it doesn’t have the elasticity of a sponge. Squashing teaches us about permanent deformation—when materials are pressed so hard that they can’t return to their original form.

Press

Pressing is more controlled—like when you press down on a piece of Play-Doh to flatten it. The force spreads out over the surface, and the Play-Doh stays flat. This helps kids understand the idea of spreading force over an area, which is important in physics when learning about pressure.

Crush

Crushing involves using a lot of force to break something apart, like smashing a cookie into crumbs. Here, we learn about material strength—some objects can break into pieces if too much force is applied. This is a fun way to introduce engineering concepts, like how much pressure different materials can handle before they break.

Crumble

When you crumble something, like dry bread, you’re using light pressure to break it apart into smaller bits. This shows how brittle materials react to force, falling apart easily because their internal structure can’t hold together when pressed.

Wring

And finally, wringing is all about twisting to squeeze out water, like wringing out a wet towel. This action combines both compression and torsion (twisting force), helping students understand how two forces can work together.

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Hands-On Learning: Why Experiential Learning Works

When we talk about hands-on learning, or experiential learning, we mean teaching concepts in a way that lets students feel, see, and understand ideas through actual experiences.

Why is this important?

Because concepts like force, shape, area, and volume don’t just exist in textbooks; they’re all around us. The best way for kids to learn about them is by experiencing how they work in real life. When you turn vocabulary into something you can see and touch, it becomes much easier to understand.

Imagine teaching a class of students the word squeeze by letting them physically squeeze a sponge. They’ll immediately understand that this action involves pressing gently on an object that springs back. Now compare that to simply defining the word in a textbook—students might memorize the word, but they won’t truly grasp what it means.

Experiential learning goes beyond memorization—it builds a deeper understanding. And that’s why it’s the most powerful way to teach not just vocabulary, but also science, math, and even life skills.

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Using Vocabulary to Teach Science (And vice versa!)

It’s easy to think of vocabulary words as something that only belongs in English class, but when we teach words like squash, press, and crush through hands-on activities, we’re doing so much more than teaching language. We’re connecting words to their real-world meanings, helping students in Grades 6 to 8 understand not just the definition, but also the science and math behind them.

And here’s where the magic happens: when students experience the meaning of a word, they connect it to real-life science concepts. Words like squeeze and squash aren’t just random vocabulary anymore—they become lessons in force, elasticity, and pressure.

For example:

• Press could be demonstrated through building with Play-Doh or modeling clay, showing how objects flatten when force is applied over a wide area.
• Crush could be introduced by breaking chalk or a cookie to demonstrate how force can fracture an object into pieces.
• Wring can be explored by actually twisting a wet towel, teaching students about combined forces like twisting and compression.

Through this process, we teach vocabulary in a way that truly sticks. Students not only remember the meaning of the word, but they also understand how it applies to their daily lives, bridging the gap between subjects like English, Science, and Math. The power of cross-curricular teaching shines through when words become real-world experiences.

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Why This Matters for Older Students (Grades 6-8)

Many people think hands-on learning is just for younger kids, like those in kindergarten or early elementary school. But the truth is, older students need it just as much, if not more. As students move into middle school (Grades 6 to 8), the concepts they learn become more abstract and complex. This is exactly where experiential learning can make a difference.

For example, when teaching concepts like pressure in science class, having students press objects or squeeze materials helps them see the forces at play. They’ll understand more deeply how these forces work, not just memorize the equations. When we tie vocabulary learning to this type of activity, it makes it easier for students to remember what they’re learning.

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The Big Takeaway: Words + Experience = True Understanding

In the end, words like squeeze, squash, and crush aren’t just about language—they’re about understanding the world. When we teach vocabulary through real-life experiences, we create stronger connections between what students hear and what they do. This builds not just better vocabulary, but a more meaningful understanding of science, math, and problem-solving.

So, next time you hear or teach words like crumble, press, or wring, remember: it’s not just about the word. It’s about the real-world science hidden inside—and the best way to teach it is to let students experience it for themselves.

Experiential learning isn’t just the best way to teach—it’s the best way to learn.

By combining vocabulary learning with hands-on science, we’re helping students make deeper connections that will stick with them for life. It’s a win for English, a win for STEM, and a win for lifelong learning.