Today on Supercharged Science we learned about catapults. Learning about making a fulcrum. We had fun putting a ping pong ball into the air. :)
We wanted to experiment with making different types of catapults and changing the basic style, but we found that pretty much a no go since we ran out of elastics.
We also made paper airplanes.
We've made paper airplanes before...but this time they actually WORKED! It was a hoot. We had fun seeing if we could crash them into our van and into each other. We enjoyed watching the wind lift them. We had fun when they would crash into our flowers and get stuck.
We also spent a great deal of time playing with Lego. Overall a good day.
question of the day: how many birds can't fly?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Why do you ask?
http://www2.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Blu, in the video Rio, says that there are 40 birds that can't fly.
I looked it up and found the there are NINE birds that can't fly.
Being challenged by my son, I looked into this further and discovered the Blu is sorta correct. :) Answers.com gives us this.
http://www2.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Blu, in the video Rio, says that there are 40 birds that can't fly.
I looked it up and found the there are NINE birds that can't fly.
Being challenged by my son, I looked into this further and discovered the Blu is sorta correct. :) Answers.com gives us this.
Answer: NOTE: 6 are extinct. removing those ones, I counted 35 but two of them are NEARLY flightless. So there you have the question of the day answered.
Ratites
Ostrich
Emu
Cassowaries
Kiwis
Rheas
Podicipediformes (Grebes)
Junin Flightless Grebe
Titicaca Flightless Grebe
Pelicaniformes (Pelicans, Cormorants, et al)
Flightless Cormorant
Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Penguins
Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck
Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck
White-headed Flightless Steamer Duck
Auckland Island Teal
Campbell Island Teal
Gruiformes (Cranes, Rails)
Woodford's Rail (probably flightless)
Weka
New Caledonian Rail
Lord Howe Woodhen
Calayan Rail
New Britain Rail
Guam Rail
Roviana Rail ("flightless, or nearly so" [Taylor 1998])
Snoring Rail
Inaccessible Island Rail
Henderson Island Crake
Invisible Rail
New Guinea Flightless Rail
Takahe
Samoan Wood Rail
Makira Wood Rail
Gough Island Moorhen
Kagu
Tasmanian Native-hen
Psittaciformes (Parrots)
Kakapo
Broad-billed Parrot (extinct)
Columbiformes (Pigeons, Doves)
Dodo (extinct)
Rodrigues Solitaire (extinct)
Viti Levu Giant Pigeon (extinct)
Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars)
New Zealand Owlet-nightjar (extinct)
Passeriformes (Perching Birds)
Stephens Island Wren (extinct)
Galliformes (Wildfowl)
Silkie
Domestic turkey
Ostrich
Emu
Cassowaries
Kiwis
Rheas
Podicipediformes (Grebes)
Junin Flightless Grebe
Titicaca Flightless Grebe
Pelicaniformes (Pelicans, Cormorants, et al)
Flightless Cormorant
Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Penguins
Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck
Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck
White-headed Flightless Steamer Duck
Auckland Island Teal
Campbell Island Teal
Gruiformes (Cranes, Rails)
Woodford's Rail (probably flightless)
Weka
New Caledonian Rail
Lord Howe Woodhen
Calayan Rail
New Britain Rail
Guam Rail
Roviana Rail ("flightless, or nearly so" [Taylor 1998])
Snoring Rail
Inaccessible Island Rail
Henderson Island Crake
Invisible Rail
New Guinea Flightless Rail
Takahe
Samoan Wood Rail
Makira Wood Rail
Gough Island Moorhen
Kagu
Tasmanian Native-hen
Psittaciformes (Parrots)
Kakapo
Broad-billed Parrot (extinct)
Columbiformes (Pigeons, Doves)
Dodo (extinct)
Rodrigues Solitaire (extinct)
Viti Levu Giant Pigeon (extinct)
Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars)
New Zealand Owlet-nightjar (extinct)
Passeriformes (Perching Birds)
Stephens Island Wren (extinct)
Galliformes (Wildfowl)
Silkie
Domestic turkey
Woot Woot! he was independent!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
My six year was DYING to do an experiment.
I had no protracted time to help him.
I found the site the experiment was on and said here it is.
He did it!
He was VERY happy to have learned how to turn a motor on. And then he went on to learn how to make a dimmer switch. :)
Pretty cool huh? :)
I had no protracted time to help him.
I found the site the experiment was on and said here it is.
He did it!
He was VERY happy to have learned how to turn a motor on. And then he went on to learn how to make a dimmer switch. :)
Pretty cool huh? :)
Electricity
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
We joined the E-science camp from Supercharged Science for the summer.
We haven't done a whole lot with it since it takes a bit of time. BUT this week and next we plan to do some things with it. make it worth our while.
We've gotten good ideas for a number of experiments though and I need to find the time to jot down the information for the ones we want to do before our time runs out!
anyways, today we did Electricity. We did a number of experiments using two batteries, alligator clips, a buzzer, led lights and what not. I tried to make a propellor for the small motor we have but that didn't work out so well.
The lad had a HOOT.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him teach his dad some of the things he learned today. They both seemed to enjoy their time together. I really wish I had the foresight to get my camera out. But it was fun listening to him teach, and watching his excitement.
Aurora does these videos that go step by step what the children are to do in each experiment. She encourages them to be safe. And she encourages them to have fun while learning what they need to learn. and it's OKAY to experiment and not have it all work out. :)
He learned to complete a circuit, to test for conductivity (one test was very complicated with a transformer), to make a buzzer work, to learn about open switches and what not. Lots of to learn, very sequential learning.
Is he ready 'mentally' for some of what he does? ah...no. but is he experimenting? yes. Is he learning the language? Yes. Is he learning to be safe and to follow instructions? definitely. He is learning the science and experimentation is a good thing? for sure! :)
We haven't done a whole lot with it since it takes a bit of time. BUT this week and next we plan to do some things with it. make it worth our while.
We've gotten good ideas for a number of experiments though and I need to find the time to jot down the information for the ones we want to do before our time runs out!
anyways, today we did Electricity. We did a number of experiments using two batteries, alligator clips, a buzzer, led lights and what not. I tried to make a propellor for the small motor we have but that didn't work out so well.
The lad had a HOOT.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him teach his dad some of the things he learned today. They both seemed to enjoy their time together. I really wish I had the foresight to get my camera out. But it was fun listening to him teach, and watching his excitement.
Aurora does these videos that go step by step what the children are to do in each experiment. She encourages them to be safe. And she encourages them to have fun while learning what they need to learn. and it's OKAY to experiment and not have it all work out. :)
He learned to complete a circuit, to test for conductivity (one test was very complicated with a transformer), to make a buzzer work, to learn about open switches and what not. Lots of to learn, very sequential learning.
Is he ready 'mentally' for some of what he does? ah...no. but is he experimenting? yes. Is he learning the language? Yes. Is he learning to be safe and to follow instructions? definitely. He is learning the science and experimentation is a good thing? for sure! :)
Octopus camouflage
this is simply too cool.
The lad's end comment "so camoflage is just fooling what's looking at you?"
caterpillars
Monday, August 15, 2011
The lad has a thing for caterpillars lately. :)
we've found three SYCAMORE TUSSOCK MOTH. They died on us. We need to figure out what they eat so they don't die next time.
they apparently eat the leaves of sycamore trees. interesting. But we put leaves in with them from where we found them. I guess I need to learn how to identify a sycamore tree. :)
we've also had these for a short time. HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH. They escaped though. :)
Found the caterpillars at this site.
we've found three SYCAMORE TUSSOCK MOTH. They died on us. We need to figure out what they eat so they don't die next time.
they apparently eat the leaves of sycamore trees. interesting. But we put leaves in with them from where we found them. I guess I need to learn how to identify a sycamore tree. :)
we've also had these for a short time. HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH. They escaped though. :)
Found the caterpillars at this site.
Monarch butterflies
Thursday, August 11, 2011
this is Chris.
he is a monarch butterfly.
we found his egg while camping.
He seems like a nice 'lad' (not that I know if he is a lad or not, but the lad we have is enjoying watching him grow).
We've successfully hatched out into adult stage a white Moth in the past, so we're hoping to be successful with Chris the monarch as well.
This site is helpful in teaching more about monarchs.
We're finding it an interesting experience. We lost one monarch egg to ants, we lost another when we changed out the leaves (they didn't transition well), so we're hopeful that this time will be more successful. Time will indeed tell.
That lad is VERY much into capturing caterpillars lately and seeing if we can get them to change into moths and butterflies lately.
His latest capture was a fuzzy red caterpillar that poops/pees and runs VERY fast when you attempt to catch him. It's was quite the achievement for the lad to catch him. We've never had another caterpillar do that so it was quite the learning experience.
Some caterpillars we've learned don't handle capture well so we don't catch them. Some will just up and die. Others within a day or two will pupate. Others just wander and seem to do well in captivity. It's been educational to say the least.
Free Magazine
Friday, July 29, 2011
If you’ve never seen The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, this is your chance to read it for free.
Totally free, go check it out. :)
While you are there, don't forget to check out their schoolhouse planners. Get your year off to a good start! :) The 2011-12 Schoolhouse Planner and our 2011-12 Student Schoolhouse Planners are for students in kindergarten to high school. Planners are available on CD or in E-Book format!
Library books - july 2011
Sunday, July 03, 2011
our library books are due back tomorrow so I thought I'd comment on what we took out.
non-fiction
Your body's heroes and Villains by Norbert Landa
this book was MUCH too complicated for a five year old lad. The pictures inspired some good questions, and led to me reading and summarizing for him. But not quite what I had hoped for. :(
The Best book of bikes - amy pinchuk
Excellent overview of biking. Good illustrations, easily summarized or read text. worked well for the lad.
Norwegian Forest Cats - nancy furstinger
CATS! what more could a boy child want! lots of pictures, lots of "nice cat mommy, I like that one!"
Near Myths Dug Up and Dusted off - robert kraus
I have to admit.. I wasn't sure what to think of this book. Was it fiction? Was it fact? I don't know my mythology well enough. the lad was ambivalent was about the kindest thing I could say. It was done poetry style which would appeal to some, but didn't strike a cord with us.
Questions and Answers about Seashore Animals - michael chinery
the lad thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looked through it quite a few times. learned lots, asked questions, pointed out what he knew and volunteered information to his dad. :) nice to have that with a book.
Hummingbirds - peter murray
I liked this book, and it had some facts that intrigued the boy. Granted it didn't really have a fair shake as we read it when the lad was unwell and very very tired.
Fiction
Winston the book wolf - marni mcgee and ian beck
this book quickly became a favourite despite not having a cat in it. I liked the play on a fairy tale, the lad just liked the story about the wolf learning to read and fooling the librarians. :)
Kindergarten Kids - Stephanie Calmerson
This book was fun and interactive. The lad often picked it out as a book of choice. It was just a pleasure to read and have the give and take with a boy child and book.
Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race - Erin mirabella
Good book. Graphics worked well with the story line. just a nice book to read. the only quarrel I have with it is that in the fact section of the book it referred to something in the story line that just wasn't there. But overall an excellent book. the lad enjoyed this book and asked tons of questions while reading it.
The Song of Francis and the Animals - Pat mora woodcuts
I did NOT like this book, but the lad did. Unusual in that. Usually we dislike the same books, but this one he liked. So not sure what to say about it. He liked it and learned abit about Francis of Assissi.
Tacky and the Winter Games - Helen lester
The lad enjoyed this book, I loved reading it. It was fun to follow the antics of Tacky. He even inspired stories by the lad in Bunny Town. It was fun to listen to what he came up with. Just a nice, solid story for a lad. Full of foolishness, and yet coming through in the end. :)
Oww! michael rosen and jonathan langley
A fun read. It was made more difficult for me in that the lad (who loves the game angry birds) has this thing about saying the word PIG. it has to spelled out P I G otherwise the birds set off bombs. So I often would change how the story was written a bit just to avoid spelling P I G or much worse...saying PIG. But a good story, an enjoyable story with animals working together and an unexpected help in the end of it all. This also got added into the bunny town stories of the lad.
Norma Snows - paula metcalf
this story grew on me and the boy. First time we read it we though.. eh... nothing special. But then we read it again, and then again, and then again...until "NORMA SNOWS mommy! Let's read NORMA"! and so we read Norma.
Puddles - jonathan London
Just a fun read for a boy who TOTALLY understood this book and the fun of puddles after a rain fall. :) Excellent graphics which inspired conversation.
Whatever you do, Don't go near that Canoe! = julie lawson
for whatever reason it took us a little bit of time to figure out this book and the characters in it. but once we did so, it became a good read. It made us wonder about what would or could happen next.......
The Foxwood Regatta - cynthia and Brian paterson
and so we entered the boat building phase of our lives. Boats, boats and more boats. We built them, we sunk them (just one), we want to have a play date of boat building. This book thoroughly captured the boat building imagination of one five year old boy.
No Room for Napoleon - Adria Meserve
not a bad book at all to read. Why was he so bossy? Why wouldn't he let them play? environmental themes, sharing, caring, learning are all themes in this book. It was a good read. ...but what about that cat?
Oh Tucker! - steven kroll
Oh I hated this book. Let me rephrase that.. I DISLIKED STRONGLY the dog and the family in this book and I made a point of saying this is NOT how a dog should behave! this is a BAD dog and a family that doesn't know how to train a dog. Dogs should NOT behave this badly. That said.. the lad certainly enjoyed reading a certain word over and over and over again in this book. So.. the reading part I liked. The rest well... I hated Tucker. he was a BAD dog.
Put me in a Book - Robert munsch
good read, good questions, good book. Just a fun robert munsch book.
non-fiction
Your body's heroes and Villains by Norbert Landa
this book was MUCH too complicated for a five year old lad. The pictures inspired some good questions, and led to me reading and summarizing for him. But not quite what I had hoped for. :(
The Best book of bikes - amy pinchuk
Excellent overview of biking. Good illustrations, easily summarized or read text. worked well for the lad.
Norwegian Forest Cats - nancy furstinger
CATS! what more could a boy child want! lots of pictures, lots of "nice cat mommy, I like that one!"
Near Myths Dug Up and Dusted off - robert kraus
I have to admit.. I wasn't sure what to think of this book. Was it fiction? Was it fact? I don't know my mythology well enough. the lad was ambivalent was about the kindest thing I could say. It was done poetry style which would appeal to some, but didn't strike a cord with us.
Questions and Answers about Seashore Animals - michael chinery
the lad thoroughly enjoyed this book. Looked through it quite a few times. learned lots, asked questions, pointed out what he knew and volunteered information to his dad. :) nice to have that with a book.
Hummingbirds - peter murray
I liked this book, and it had some facts that intrigued the boy. Granted it didn't really have a fair shake as we read it when the lad was unwell and very very tired.
Fiction
Winston the book wolf - marni mcgee and ian beck
this book quickly became a favourite despite not having a cat in it. I liked the play on a fairy tale, the lad just liked the story about the wolf learning to read and fooling the librarians. :)
Kindergarten Kids - Stephanie Calmerson
This book was fun and interactive. The lad often picked it out as a book of choice. It was just a pleasure to read and have the give and take with a boy child and book.
Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race - Erin mirabella
Good book. Graphics worked well with the story line. just a nice book to read. the only quarrel I have with it is that in the fact section of the book it referred to something in the story line that just wasn't there. But overall an excellent book. the lad enjoyed this book and asked tons of questions while reading it.
The Song of Francis and the Animals - Pat mora woodcuts
I did NOT like this book, but the lad did. Unusual in that. Usually we dislike the same books, but this one he liked. So not sure what to say about it. He liked it and learned abit about Francis of Assissi.
Tacky and the Winter Games - Helen lester
The lad enjoyed this book, I loved reading it. It was fun to follow the antics of Tacky. He even inspired stories by the lad in Bunny Town. It was fun to listen to what he came up with. Just a nice, solid story for a lad. Full of foolishness, and yet coming through in the end. :)
Oww! michael rosen and jonathan langley
A fun read. It was made more difficult for me in that the lad (who loves the game angry birds) has this thing about saying the word PIG. it has to spelled out P I G otherwise the birds set off bombs. So I often would change how the story was written a bit just to avoid spelling P I G or much worse...saying PIG. But a good story, an enjoyable story with animals working together and an unexpected help in the end of it all. This also got added into the bunny town stories of the lad.
Norma Snows - paula metcalf
this story grew on me and the boy. First time we read it we though.. eh... nothing special. But then we read it again, and then again, and then again...until "NORMA SNOWS mommy! Let's read NORMA"! and so we read Norma.
Puddles - jonathan London
Just a fun read for a boy who TOTALLY understood this book and the fun of puddles after a rain fall. :) Excellent graphics which inspired conversation.
Whatever you do, Don't go near that Canoe! = julie lawson
for whatever reason it took us a little bit of time to figure out this book and the characters in it. but once we did so, it became a good read. It made us wonder about what would or could happen next.......
The Foxwood Regatta - cynthia and Brian paterson
and so we entered the boat building phase of our lives. Boats, boats and more boats. We built them, we sunk them (just one), we want to have a play date of boat building. This book thoroughly captured the boat building imagination of one five year old boy.
No Room for Napoleon - Adria Meserve
not a bad book at all to read. Why was he so bossy? Why wouldn't he let them play? environmental themes, sharing, caring, learning are all themes in this book. It was a good read. ...but what about that cat?
Oh Tucker! - steven kroll
Oh I hated this book. Let me rephrase that.. I DISLIKED STRONGLY the dog and the family in this book and I made a point of saying this is NOT how a dog should behave! this is a BAD dog and a family that doesn't know how to train a dog. Dogs should NOT behave this badly. That said.. the lad certainly enjoyed reading a certain word over and over and over again in this book. So.. the reading part I liked. The rest well... I hated Tucker. he was a BAD dog.
Put me in a Book - Robert munsch
good read, good questions, good book. Just a fun robert munsch book.
today... air pressure...
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Today we learned a bit about air pressure.
taken from this book:
hands on earth science activities for k-6 by marvin tolman
we took some straws.
we learned what happens when you combine the two and various ways of holding them.
this of course led to further experimentation with jack o lantern making supplies and the leftover potato......
we also watched a rocket video from Supercharged Science. We are part of their summer e-camp. It was "really cool mommy". Supercharged science does a really good job at even helping kindergarten/grade 1 students understand higher science as well. All that fire made a super impression on the lad. These things helped a lad keep occupied on a day he needed quieter things to amuse himself due a headachy mommy and a sick tummy on a lad.
taken from this book:
hands on earth science activities for k-6 by marvin tolman
we took some straws.
we took a potato.
one straw, one potato
one straw, one potato
we learned what happens when you combine the two and various ways of holding them.
IF you put your thumb over the end of the straw... it works like a spear!
this of course led to further experimentation with jack o lantern making supplies and the leftover potato......
we also watched a rocket video from Supercharged Science. We are part of their summer e-camp. It was "really cool mommy". Supercharged science does a really good job at even helping kindergarten/grade 1 students understand higher science as well. All that fire made a super impression on the lad. These things helped a lad keep occupied on a day he needed quieter things to amuse himself due a headachy mommy and a sick tummy on a lad.
4th of July Montessori Unit Study
Monday, June 27, 2011
4th of July
Montessori Unit Studyhttp://www2.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I don't have time to look through this all today. So saving here to check it out later.
Montessori Unit Studyhttp://www2.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I don't have time to look through this all today. So saving here to check it out later.
Tomarus Relictus
Monday, June 20, 2011
a while back we picked up a garden bugs of Ontario book.
I've learned over time it's not exhaustive as we find LOTS Of bugs in the garden that aren't in the book.
The lad caught this bug this morning and through searching the computer we were able to identify it. :)
he's gotten curious about bugs since Renee's children are into bugs and he's discovering they are rather cool. :)
Week update
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Tuesday we tried to pick up our new car. That didn't work so we spent some time with oma and papa, building with a new to the lad toy, having lunch and just spending family time. It was a good time all-round. :)
Wednesday and Thursday this week we've spent a good portion of our days outside. did some gardening, went for a nature walk at Wildwood conservation area. I have tons of pics but its late so I can add those another day. The lad had a hoot and even learned a thing or two. :) We did this walk as part of our time with HOPE. Took about two hours and was just a good learning and spending time with each other time. Played at the park for 10 minutes afterwards.
Thursday (that was today!) we um... what did we do.. the lad played out his time at Mad Science last week. Had a hoot with some bunnies...taught one that screaming when caught was just silliness... Dusty is a very easily started bunny and certainly likes to tell the world about it. played soccer this afternoon...mommy was the coach this week so that was different. and then when we got home to pulled rhubarb, played for a while, put bunnies back in cages. Came inside had snack and went to bed. (at least the lad did). Mommy was tired so just kept herself busy tonight.
Anyways, goodnight all!
Wednesday and Thursday this week we've spent a good portion of our days outside. did some gardening, went for a nature walk at Wildwood conservation area. I have tons of pics but its late so I can add those another day. The lad had a hoot and even learned a thing or two. :) We did this walk as part of our time with HOPE. Took about two hours and was just a good learning and spending time with each other time. Played at the park for 10 minutes afterwards.
Thursday (that was today!) we um... what did we do.. the lad played out his time at Mad Science last week. Had a hoot with some bunnies...taught one that screaming when caught was just silliness... Dusty is a very easily started bunny and certainly likes to tell the world about it. played soccer this afternoon...mommy was the coach this week so that was different. and then when we got home to pulled rhubarb, played for a while, put bunnies back in cages. Came inside had snack and went to bed. (at least the lad did). Mommy was tired so just kept herself busy tonight.
Anyways, goodnight all!
Sunny Seashells - Review
Monday, May 30, 2011
I have to admit, life got busy over these past two weeks so working on this unit study was a bit problematic for us. So... what we did was look it over and talk about it. The lad was curious so we'll be actually studying it over the next two weeks much better. Sunny Seashells is a downloadNGo unit from Amanda Bennett Unit Studies.At our local beach we cannot find a variety of seashells, what we find are clam shells and zebra mussels. Granted, finding zebra mussels gives us a chance to tell the lad about how introducing animals to environments where they don't belong is actually quite dangerous.
I actually have a fair number of shells to show him, and count with him, with because not only did I go to Haiti on a mission trip when I was a teen (and therefore bought some and brought them home with me), I also had someone give me a whole variety of them. They've been an excellent resource for counting, sorting, tactile exploration and what not. Shells are indeed interesting.
Amanda Bennett sets up her unit studies in such a way that they are incredibly easy to use. We often copy and paste into a word processing program to cut down on paper use, but they can simply be printed off as is. They come as a ready to use PDF file. Loaded with links to various on-line resources and if you contact them about a link not working they fix it very quickly.
Here's what you learn with this unit study.Day 1: Seashells--What Are They?
Day 2: Seashells and History
Day 3: Types of Seashells
Day 4: The Science of Seashells
Day 5: Seashell Party!
Day 2: Seashells and History
Day 3: Types of Seashells
Day 4: The Science of Seashells
Day 5: Seashell Party!
History, geography, science and more, all packed into one study.
(I was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the review team).
Science and the library
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
in preparation for a science class on Thursday we did some sensory experiments this morning.
first I hid a bunch of things in socks. The lad had to feel and guess through the sock at first. he got about half of them correct. And the remainder he had to feel without looking in the sock to see the object might be. He got two more correct..by listening and thinking in his head about what they might be. The rest he guessed and was surprised by.
Then we moved into the kitchen where he had to look, smell, feel and then taste to determine what was what. I paired items such as salt and sugar, sprinkles and cane sugar, protein powder and flour, cinnamon sugar and cocoa...and something brand new to him...chia seeds. He found it difficult to wear a blind fold as he just wanted to know NOW what he was getting into, but he learned how sometimes you have to use more than one sense to figure out what something is. :)
we then did some experiments with air out of a new science book we have. The lad had a hoot. :) That lad loves to build and experiment. We did experiments 1-3. water, balloons and air...what more could a five year old ask for?
our new science book:
hands on earth science activities for k-6 by marvin tolman
Going to the library this afternoon as my rabbit person hasn't called yet. Will forward the phone in case she does. We should be able to walk home in the time it takes for her to call coming from London. (that's if she calls of course).
Oh... discovered a cousin of mine is an "unschooler". She writes a blog called Jazzy Mama. have to admit, I don't quite get being an unschooler, but I sorta do. We think a bit differently but that's okay. I can't quite wrap my head around COMPLETELY being an unschooler ...but some of the concepts such as following your children's passions in learning makes sense to me. But to not deliberately teach your children something... just doesn't seem quite right somehow.. but I may be misconstruing what' unschooling' is really all about. :)
oh, as some folks know... I do review for Amanda Bennett Unit Studies...their download N Go units. They are having a summer fun promotion right now.
books we are returning to the library today are:
The lad enjoyed going through each of these non-fiction books.
Castles by RJ Unstead.
From Sand to Glass by Shannon Zemlicka
Animals in Dangerous Places by Clare Oliver
Sphynx Cats by Nancy Furstinger
Let's look at Flying Machines published by Lorenz Books
Then we have these fiction books
The boy who loved bananas by george elliot
this was just sheer fun to read and inspired lots of bunny town stories.
Stella Louella's Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst
A busy book with lots of pictures, with the query...will she catch up to it??
Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis
The lad's response "There's pretzel's in this book! They are yummy!"
My response: I enjoyed this book, taught a few things, caused questions to be asked.
My Think-a-ma-Jink by Dave Whamond
LOVED LOVED this book the lad did. it's a blue spruce book. Well written and fun.
And here's to you by david elliot
Surprisingly, the boy liked this book. He'd growl at the odd page here and there that he didn't like, but overall he liked it and started "reading" it with me.
The Imaginary Garden by Andrew larsen
Enjoyed by both mom and son. Inspires our desire to do it ourselves.
Second Best by jane eagland
Enjoyed this book enough that he wants to have his own show and tell animal day.
The magic toolbox by Mie Araki
A good read, with frustration turning to satisfaction.
The Old Red Tractor by Andreas Dierssen
the lad says "I liked it".
It's a good book, well worth reading.
One more acorn by Don Freeman
The earl book mommy! the earl book! I want to read it!
first I hid a bunch of things in socks. The lad had to feel and guess through the sock at first. he got about half of them correct. And the remainder he had to feel without looking in the sock to see the object might be. He got two more correct..by listening and thinking in his head about what they might be. The rest he guessed and was surprised by.
Then we moved into the kitchen where he had to look, smell, feel and then taste to determine what was what. I paired items such as salt and sugar, sprinkles and cane sugar, protein powder and flour, cinnamon sugar and cocoa...and something brand new to him...chia seeds. He found it difficult to wear a blind fold as he just wanted to know NOW what he was getting into, but he learned how sometimes you have to use more than one sense to figure out what something is. :)
we then did some experiments with air out of a new science book we have. The lad had a hoot. :) That lad loves to build and experiment. We did experiments 1-3. water, balloons and air...what more could a five year old ask for?
our new science book:
hands on earth science activities for k-6 by marvin tolman
Going to the library this afternoon as my rabbit person hasn't called yet. Will forward the phone in case she does. We should be able to walk home in the time it takes for her to call coming from London. (that's if she calls of course).
Oh... discovered a cousin of mine is an "unschooler". She writes a blog called Jazzy Mama. have to admit, I don't quite get being an unschooler, but I sorta do. We think a bit differently but that's okay. I can't quite wrap my head around COMPLETELY being an unschooler ...but some of the concepts such as following your children's passions in learning makes sense to me. But to not deliberately teach your children something... just doesn't seem quite right somehow.. but I may be misconstruing what' unschooling' is really all about. :)
oh, as some folks know... I do review for Amanda Bennett Unit Studies...their download N Go units. They are having a summer fun promotion right now.
books we are returning to the library today are:
The lad enjoyed going through each of these non-fiction books.
Castles by RJ Unstead.
From Sand to Glass by Shannon Zemlicka
Animals in Dangerous Places by Clare Oliver
Sphynx Cats by Nancy Furstinger
Let's look at Flying Machines published by Lorenz Books
Then we have these fiction books
The boy who loved bananas by george elliot
this was just sheer fun to read and inspired lots of bunny town stories.
Stella Louella's Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst
A busy book with lots of pictures, with the query...will she catch up to it??
Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis
The lad's response "There's pretzel's in this book! They are yummy!"
My response: I enjoyed this book, taught a few things, caused questions to be asked.
My Think-a-ma-Jink by Dave Whamond
LOVED LOVED this book the lad did. it's a blue spruce book. Well written and fun.
And here's to you by david elliot
Surprisingly, the boy liked this book. He'd growl at the odd page here and there that he didn't like, but overall he liked it and started "reading" it with me.
The Imaginary Garden by Andrew larsen
Enjoyed by both mom and son. Inspires our desire to do it ourselves.
Second Best by jane eagland
Enjoyed this book enough that he wants to have his own show and tell animal day.
The magic toolbox by Mie Araki
A good read, with frustration turning to satisfaction.
The Old Red Tractor by Andreas Dierssen
the lad says "I liked it".
It's a good book, well worth reading.
One more acorn by Don Freeman
The earl book mommy! the earl book! I want to read it!
Today... a good day
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
My mom needed a day away so I went up with the lad to watch over my dad. He's not good left alone for long periods of time since his walking isn't very good, neither is his memory. So.. we did our homeschooling there today.
First we played Skipbo. Dad played too. He won. The lad got a good chance to count his numbers and to remember what they looked like. And even got to finish a hand or two. :)
Then we had fun playing dominos. Not so much playing the game, but constructing buildings to keep the "angry birds" safe from the not nice birds who would knock on the door and pretend to be good birds. :)
We had a hot meal for lunch. Dad peeled the potatoes. :)
After lunch we did some book work. I'll have to add the books we did later. :)
and the lad made up a game for his stuffie rabbit to do involving memory work from Gilligan's island, his newly favouritiest show. :) The lad had lots of opportunities to exercise a servant's heart today and he did so willingly which pleased this mother's heart. :)
Stopped at a gardening centre on the way home and picked up some flowers. The lad really wanted to plant them and was disappointed to learn that we need to wait a couple days before planting them as they need to harden off a bit first. So we planted some other plants instead. He helped cut up potatoes and plant some tomatoes. He even ran over the potato bed to tampen them down for good growing. He'd helped me last week with planting some pea seeds and is disappointed they aren't coming up yet.
He had a great deal of fun playing with Blossom (a young rabbit who lives with a guinea pig in an outdoor cage). Sam (the guinea pig) can be a bit of a spaz so the lad never succeeded in catching him. BUT the other guinea pigs are in a much bigger cage and he had a hoot rounding them up and making them sit in their hidey-holes. Since no harm was done, I called it good exercise for all concerned...plus the lad is gentle in his handling of them. But encouraging critters to run and play hide and seek is a favourite pass-time.
then in for supper and some Gilligan's Island watching and off to bed. Tonight our bed-time reader took us into the world of Heidi which intrigued the lad NOT AT ALL. He was much more interested in the one-room schoolhouse story than in anything else...though Jesus feeding 5000 people using only five bread and two fish... that elicted a "wow mommy, that's a lot of people with just my supper, how did he do it?"
All in all a good homeschool day. :)
First we played Skipbo. Dad played too. He won. The lad got a good chance to count his numbers and to remember what they looked like. And even got to finish a hand or two. :)
Then we had fun playing dominos. Not so much playing the game, but constructing buildings to keep the "angry birds" safe from the not nice birds who would knock on the door and pretend to be good birds. :)
We had a hot meal for lunch. Dad peeled the potatoes. :)
After lunch we did some book work. I'll have to add the books we did later. :)
and the lad made up a game for his stuffie rabbit to do involving memory work from Gilligan's island, his newly favouritiest show. :) The lad had lots of opportunities to exercise a servant's heart today and he did so willingly which pleased this mother's heart. :)
Stopped at a gardening centre on the way home and picked up some flowers. The lad really wanted to plant them and was disappointed to learn that we need to wait a couple days before planting them as they need to harden off a bit first. So we planted some other plants instead. He helped cut up potatoes and plant some tomatoes. He even ran over the potato bed to tampen them down for good growing. He'd helped me last week with planting some pea seeds and is disappointed they aren't coming up yet.
He had a great deal of fun playing with Blossom (a young rabbit who lives with a guinea pig in an outdoor cage). Sam (the guinea pig) can be a bit of a spaz so the lad never succeeded in catching him. BUT the other guinea pigs are in a much bigger cage and he had a hoot rounding them up and making them sit in their hidey-holes. Since no harm was done, I called it good exercise for all concerned...plus the lad is gentle in his handling of them. But encouraging critters to run and play hide and seek is a favourite pass-time.
then in for supper and some Gilligan's Island watching and off to bed. Tonight our bed-time reader took us into the world of Heidi which intrigued the lad NOT AT ALL. He was much more interested in the one-room schoolhouse story than in anything else...though Jesus feeding 5000 people using only five bread and two fish... that elicted a "wow mommy, that's a lot of people with just my supper, how did he do it?"
All in all a good homeschool day. :)
Review: Chocolate Challenge
Friday, May 13, 2011
Chocolate Challenge
Today am doing our official review of the downloadngo unit study/lapbook. on CHOCOLATE! The lad's reaction when I told him what we were going to study was "YEAH!!" This study is done by Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett.
The outline of this study is as follows.
Day 1: Chocolate – What Is It?
Day 2: The Story of Chocolate
Day 3: The Types of Chocolate
Day 4: The Science of Chocolate
Day 5: Let’s Have a Chocolate Party!
We did day 1-2 here, and days 3-5 here. Our jobs and chocolatier continued for a few days. After soccer on Thursday we went to the local bulk barn store and purchased just a wee little bit of the varieties of chocolate they had available, and then stopped at the dollarama to check out what unique chocolate bars they might have. it's been fun.
For the chocolatier part of things we've been smelling, examining, cutting in half, checking out textures, and first tastes and last tastes of all sorts of chocolate. Because I like a five year old to sleep at night I'm only letting him do 5-7 samples at a time.
This has been a fun study to do. We've gone country hunting, learned about the rainforest and why ... for the sake of chocolate.. that cutting down the big trees in the rainforest is NOT a good idea. Chocolate trees need the right type of shade and sun and humidity to grow. If they don't have it, then they don't grow the pods, and no pods = no chocolate. This would be "a bad thing, Mommy. I like chocolate!" We learned some history and saw how many machines have been made to help with the art of making chocolate. The making chocolate into art was quite interesting.... that chocolate can be like playdoh! "Wow, mommy! That's playdoh I can eat right mommy?"
These units contain LOTS of on-line links. Which is great! and I love how responsive they are when things don't work well. I imagine it is difficult to find links that will consistently work. And this is one thing I would like to change about these units...that the answers to some questions could be actually put into the unit for those times when links don't work and one really doesn't know the answer to the question or problem posed. Testing to see if links work world-wide is also something that would be nice to see done (though I suppose that's the job of us reviewers right?) :) But 99% of the time, all links work and well.
The videos are interesting and embedded to help control the amount of ads that can be seen by watchful eyes. It was good to be able to experiment with chocolate.. I even got up the nerve to make chocolate pretzels...thoroughly enjoyed by all the people attending our HOPE days today. We had hoped to make fudge but I think that will need to wait for another day...perhaps this coming week sometime. :)
The lad really enjoyed this study, he had fun making a map of Brazil. using a puzzle map book that we just picked up. 
We made chocolate Chip cookies, and chocolate pretzels, and eyed some chocolate cake. Chocolate milk of course had to be enjoyed...after all...it's what the Mayans and Aztecs drank.
Chocolate Continued.....
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Chocolate Challenge
Today we continued our study of the DownloadNGo unit study/lapbook on CHOCOLATE! The lad's reaction when I told him what we were going to study was "YEAH!!" This study is done by Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett.
The outline of this study is as follows.
Day 1: Chocolate – What Is It?
Day 2: The Story of Chocolate
Day 3: The Types of Chocolate
Day 4: The Science of Chocolate
Day 5: Let’s Have a Chocolate Party!
Today we took large chunks from days 3-5. We can't get it all done today since we need to get Chocolate for our chocolate party. But we've got good plans.
We learned about the process for making chocolate, we had fun visiting our neighbours and calling family to fill in our Chocolate graph, found countries on our globe and world map, and learned a bit about fractions and using a ruler.
The chocolate car above inspired a "WOW!!! Mommy! I want to sit in it!"
a good study
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