Category Archives: Science

Earthquakes

The topic of earthquakes came up back in August when we studied skyscrapers, then again in September as part of our disaster preparedness studies. Also, the third Thursday in October is the official Great American Shakeout (earthquake preparedness observance).

Since we live close to the New Madrid fault line, and the boys were interested, we took a bit of a detour from our regular lessons to focus on learning about earthquakes. As to be expected when the boys pick the topic of study, it was fantastic. Below are the online resources we used as we researched, experimented, and learned about earthquakes.

Earthquakes explained, facts, and information http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-earthquake.htm

Extensive list of earthquake related vocabulary words and their definitions http://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/53594-earthquake-vocabulary-words/

17 Bible references to “earthquakes” https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=earthquake&qs_version=NIV

Live Earthquake Map and Stats From Around the World (Even now that our earthquake study is over, we’re still checking this site daily. We’re amazed at the seismic activity that goes on everyday!) http://quakes.globalincidentmap.com/

Information about the most severe earthquakes on record past and present http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001767.html

How to Prepare for an Earthquake https://thesurvivalmom.com/just-moved-prepare-earthquake/?fbclid=IwAR0zXhL63aqEkPFzwmBUd0mdiPOTibEHhaBEAFoDYCoZtcS5ZQFM3OQNlz4

I hadn’t planned on making a lapbook with this study, but Z asked if we could. So of course we did, and it turned out wonderfully. We made a few booklets on our own and printed off some of these resources too. earthquake lapbook printables http://www.homeschoolshare.com/earthquakes.php

“Earthquake Safety” video for kids and by kids and FEMA

“Deadliest Earthquake” Documentary (B and I watched this together without the younger boys. There’s some disturbing images shown.)

Old Zoom video instructions of how to make a seismometer. Ours turned out great! http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.seismometer/making-a-seismometer/

Other Learning Resources from PBS (with grade level recommendations) https://ket.pbslearningmedia.org/search/?q=earthquakes

Hands-on activities and projects. One of these even involves Oreos! Yes, I’ll buy Oreos in the name of “science”! http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/activezone/activities.html

This interactive “Stop Disasters” game was tough! We were set up as city managers and assigned the task of building, upgrading, and educating the people on safety. We were given 25 minutes to get our city in order before an earthquake hit. The first time through the game, we were fired! And that was the “easy” level! http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/

Richter Scale Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2019/california-earthquakes-and-the-richter-scale/?fbclid=IwAR0QAPbop11AA_I7o8CsLvMcx2ZfGryCTGrYWmFqoeEXTiRscZSl0RVk7hw

We took this online earthquake quiz twice. Once before our study and again when we were finished (we did much better the second time) http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/science/earthquakes/quiz273.html

And of course we had to find some earthquake jokes for J –

Q: What do cows produce during an earthquake? A: Milkshakes!

Q: What did the ground say to the earthquake? A: You crack me up!

Q: What is an Earthquakes favorite song? A: “Shake, Rattle and Roll!”

Actually, not “Shake, Rattle and Roll” but this one was our song through our earthquake study

betty jo

Learning Resources for October, 2014

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October is always a favorite time of the year for my family. It’s also a favorite month for learning! October has a good variety of themes, foods, and daily historic events. This link will take you to the list of Special Days in October, 2014 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/09/27/special-days-in-october-2014/

Below are the resource links to take you to special day studies we’ve done with our homeschooling through Octobers in the past. I’ve also included some links that I’m thinking we’re about to use with this October’s lessons.

October Prayer Calendar Printable http://cherilynngamble.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/october-prayer-calendar/

October Writing Prompts http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/october/

Octbricks – 31 Days of Legos – http://www.educatinglaytons.com/2014/09/31-days-legos/

Autumn and Halloween Background Lined Paper printables http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_background_paper.htm

Fall Themed Interactive Games – http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/fall/games.htm

Bats! Cross curriculum resources – http://www.franw.com/2011/10/bats.html

Fire Safety – A “Must Read” article http://www.unplannedhomeschooler.com/2014/08/how-my-kids-reacted-to-night-time-fire.html And, http://repurposemylife.com/teaching-children-fire-safety/ Also, Fire Facts http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/fire.html

The Salem Witch Trials was one of our best studies last year. Though not a “special day”, it was a nice tie in with a Halloweenish theme. Also, this resource post has been one of the most popular posts I’ve put together. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/10/30/salem-witch-trials/

Human Anatomy can be another Halloweenish theme. Here’s some creative learning ideas http://www.homeschool-activities.com/human-body-for-kids.html

Crafts are great all year long, but the autumn ones are some of the best! http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/autumnfallartscraftideaskids.html

October offers some of the best “food themes” of the year!

Apples – Cross curriculum research project – http://www.franw.com/2013/09/apple-research-project.html

Pumpkins – Here’s a “big ole’ list” of pumpkin themed resources – http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/pumpkins-free-printables-activities-recipes/

Candy – Play, Invent and Explore – http://www.housingaforest.com/candy-potions/

Popcorn – http://www.franw.com/2014/10/popcorn-project.html

Presidents Born in October: (This link takes you to our family’s resources used for studying any president. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/)

Oct. 1 – Jimmy Carter born 1924
Oct. 4 – Rutherford Hayes born 1822
Oct. 5 – Chester Arthur born 1829
Oct. 14 – Dwight Eisenhower born 1890
Oct. 27 – Theodore Roosevelt born 1858
Oct. 30 – John Adams born 1735

Oct. 2 –

SOS (distress code) established 1906 – Morse Code interatctive game in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels https://www.nsa.gov/kids/games/gameMorse.swf
Anniversary of the first Peanuts comic strip (1950) – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/

Oct. 4 – Fall Astronomy Day This link takes you to my “go to” site for all things astronomy. http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

Oct. 11 – Elenore Roosevelt born 1884 – Here’s a nice short biography, reading comprehension quizzes and language arts printables http://www.gardenofpraise.com/ibderoos.htm

Oct. 13 – Columbus Day – Resources and Printables http://embarkonthejourney.com/christopher-columbus-resources-printables/

Oct. 15 – Poetry Day – Homeschool Poetry Resource List – http://homeschoolencouragement.com/poetry-ultimate-homeschool-resource-list/ And, since October is at times spooky and odd, here’s a link to study guides, summaries, and quizzes to Edgar Allen Poe’s Poetry http://www.gradesaver.com/poes-poetry/study-guide/short-summary/ Also, here’s a research guide and resources for a Poe Study http://www.franw.com/2013/10/edgar-allan-poe-research-project.html

Oct. 16 – Noah Webster born 1758 and Dictionary Day (this site has much more than a dictionary! You’ll find games, Webster biography, language history, daily buzz words, and a way to add your own made up word to a dictionary!) http://www.wordcentral.com/edu/index.htm

Oct. 16 – World Food Day – Photo Collection What the World Eats – http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/what-the-world-eats-shocking-photos

Oct. 19 –

Character Counts Week begins – Our family has gone to this site many times for help with character development http://www.characterjournal.com/ Also, there’s some nice character lapbook printables here http://www.homeschoolshare.com/character_lapbook.php
Chemistry Week begins – Periodic Table of Element Videos (this is one of our favorite chemistry resources) http://www.periodicvideos.com/ And, this site has chemistry games. worksheets, and quizzes http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/index.htm And, here’s a chemistry lesson about the colors of autumn leaves http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/09/11/autumnleaves/

Oct. 20 – Monster Mash Day – The Monster Mash song is the first one on this Youtube Halloween song playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0R_oDEvYUY&list=PLA8F349F78FC52532 And, these kids can teach you the dance moves! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ8DOL-KeWw

Oct. 22 – Daniel Boone born 1734 (We’ll definitely be playing the pioneer games again. They were awesome and they were outside!) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/10/22/daniel-boone/

Oct. 30 – Radio Broadcast of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds 1938 – Read an article and listen to the recording here http://www.ibtimes.com/war-worlds-radio-broadcast-turns-75-listen-orson-welles-famous-hoax-1447470

Oct. 31 –

Knock Knock Joke Day – (Jokes for “school work” are always a big hit with us.) http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/topics/knockknock.shtml
Halloween – History articles – http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/halloween.htm And, Halloween Science Experiments – http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/09/24/5-fun-science-experiments-for-halloween/ I’m super excited about this Haunted Halloween resource and Fran has given me a copy of her E-book, too! I’ve looked through it and think she’s a genius! I love the “Monster Capture” game! http://www.franw.com/2014/09/haunted-halloween-resource-page.html Halloween themed Party Games – http://www.partygamecentral.com/party-games.php?tp=advsearch&nb=1&inp1=halloween&inp2=&conn=0&mat1=0&mat2=0 Also, here’s some Halloween interactive games http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/halloween/games.php

I’ll be posting some other resource links as our studies for October develop. I’m thinking owls and perhaps spiders. Haunted places and monsters are being considered, too. What are some of your October themed lesson plans? And got links?

Happy October Learning

betty jo

Resources For Learning About Skyscrapers

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“SKYSCRAPERS” is one of the themes for the month of June and September 3 is “SKYSCRAPER DAY”! Below are the links we’ll be following as we learn about skyscrapers. This study will cover the subjects of science, math, language arts, history, geography, literature, and art. Most of the resources will apply to all ages.

Skyscraper Day Information http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/September/skyscraperday.htm

Fun Facts About Skyscrapers http://www.factmonster.com/spot/skyscraperfacts.html (there’s related links on the right side of the article)

How Skyscrapers Work Articles with Diagrams http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/skyscraper2.htm

Time-lapse Construction Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdpf-MQM9vY

Virtual Field Trip – 360 degree Panoramic View from the Empire State Building http://www.nylocations.com/360-panorama/empire-state-building/

Skyscraper Emergency Engineering Lab Interactives http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/challenge/index.html

Videos, Lesson Plans and Printable Resources, and More http://skyscraper.org/home_flash.htm

Video Algebra Lesson http://threeacts.mrmeyer.com/dominoskyscraper/

Window Cleaning Skyscraper Math (multiplication) Interactive Game http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/math-wash

Another math lessons will be skyscraper word problems game. I’ll make up and write some math problems on cards. The kids will be making some too. For example, “If the elevator travels 30 seconds between each floor and does not stop until it reaches the 37th floor. How many minutes will it take to reach the 37th floor from the ground floor?” We’ll each be able to come up with construction time and cost problems too. Once there’s a stack of question cards, we’ll take turns drawing and answering. With each correct answer, the player gets a Lego block. The player with the highest Lego Tower will be the winner.

Skyscraper Building Activity Challenge http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skyscraper-Challenge-A-Team-Building-Activity-279407

To add a Bible study to our lessons, I entered “skyscrapers” into the search feature at Bible.org. I was pleasantly surprised to see more than the Tower of Babel to choose from! https://bible.org/gsearch?search=skyscrapers

The Runaway Skyscraper , written by Murray Leinster, is a science fiction novelette , originally published in Argosy magazine (a general-interest fiction magazine) in 1919, now it’s a free read from Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17355/17355-h/17355-h.htm

The Two Skyscrapers Who Decided to Have a Child is one of the short stories of the Rootabaga Stories written in 1922 by Carl Sandburg and is a free read here http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/carl-sandburg/rootabaga-stories-the-two-skyscrapers-who-decided-to-have-a-child/2206/

Skyscrapers are tall. “Tall” isn’t a greatest choice of adjectives for describing a skyscraper. Here’s the link to synonyms and words related to “tall” for a grammar, writing, and vocabulary lesson. http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/tall

A Word Mining Game will be another language arts connection. After we have as many words made as possible from the letters in “SKYSCRAPER”, we’ll categorize them into the relative parts of speech they belong to, noun, verb, adjective, etc. Then we’ll try to put those words together for silly sentences.

How to Draw a Cityscape http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/link/4534/1/1/how-to-draw-a-city.htm

Print, Cut, and Fold Skyscraper Models –

Chrysler Building http://www.papertoys.com/chrysler-building.htm
Empire State Building http://www.papertoys.com/empire-building.htm
World Trade Center http://www.papertoys.com/world-trade-center.htm

I’ve been on my local library’s web site and reserved a few skyscraper books to pick up this week and while we’re out, we’ll take a close look at our city’s 2 tallest buildings – 19 stories and 10 stories.

betty jo

Aviation Week Learning Resources

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According to Special Days in August , “Aviation” is one of this month’s themes. And, “Aviation Week” is the week with the 19th. The reason behind “Aviation Week” is in celebration of the accomplishments of Orville Wright who was born Aug. 19, 1867.

The following links are to the online resources and activities to learn about the Wright Brothers and aviation.

A biography of the Wright Brothers along with printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwrigh.htm

Learn about the Wright Brothers. See their house and shop as well as their famous flight in Kitty Hawk, NC. with this old and brief educational movie. http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/wrightBrothers.html

We’ve been watching some of the animated series Adventurers – Masters of Time so we’re excited to see a Wright Brothers episode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJud1QjUvo8&list=PL608A5B35B7419A93&index=15 If you haven’t seen these before, I recommend you start with the first episode so you’ll understand the theme, then you can skip around to match them with your studies.

Aviation history timeline, projects, and more for kids – http://www.aviation-for-kids.com/

Exhibits from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum http://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/

Airplane parts and functions – http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/airplane.html

Victory Through Air Power – by Walt Disney – A History of Flight from the Wright Brothers to WW2 Aerial Defense Campaigns – (produced in the1940s, this contains some war propaganda that may seem wrong by today’s standards, but adds another historic learning element.)

Step-by-step instructions and videos of varying levels of difficulty for folding paper airplanes – http://www.foldnfly.com/#/1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2

A Bible based lesson which uses paper airplanes as a object lesson http://www.christianitycove.com/youth-bible-study-lessons-object-lessons/854/

Awesome links to aviation themed interactives and games http://www.2learn.ca/kids/listSciG6.aspx?Type=57

Airplane coloring pages and craft projects http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/artscraftsideaskids/coloringpages/airplanescoloringpages.html

Airplane Party Ideas

So often I feel that our learning plans for a week are left “up in the air” and we just follow where the week takes us….

However, this time “up in the air” is all planned out!

betty jo

Elephants

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Back at the beginning of our summer break a couple of summers ago, J requested that we create a jungle mural on our chalk board wall. He made sure that it included an elephant.

Elephants happen to be one of our favorite animals and according to Special Days in August , the 12th is “World Elephant Day”! And, September 22 is “Elephant Appreciation Day”! I’m glad that we took some time to study these magnificent creatures.

Below are the resources we used as we learned about elephants.

All about Elephants – African vs. Asian, Elephant Sounds, and Facts www.elemotion.org/learning-center/

Scientific Research – How Elephants Think thinkelephants.org/pages/ow-elephants-think.html

Meet the Elephants who live at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee www.elephants.com/meetElephants.php

Elephant Myths and Folklore socyberty.com/foldlore/elephant-in-myths-mthology-and-folklore/

Elephant Jokes www.enchantedlearning.com/joke/animalselephant.shtl

Elephant Themed Language Arts Interactive Games www.learninggamesforkids.com/mammal-games-videos/elephant-games-videos.html

I snagged this Elephants – Speedy Lapbook a while back as part of a freebie offer. Currently, it’s not free but on sale for $0.50. www.currclick.com/product/83435/Elephants–Speedy-Lapbook?term=elephant+speedy

Youtube has a video collection of elephants playing! www.youtube.com/results?search-query=elephants+playing

Read Rudyard Kipling’s The Elephant’s Child free online www.gutenberg.org/files/32488-h/32488-h.htm#Page_63

A Song, Agony and Ivory, dedicated to the movement to stop the wholesale slaughter of elephants taking place as a result of the ivory trade. (the song and website is a project of a homeschooling family!) www.agonyandivory.com

And for Notebooking, Elephant Bordered Paper www.teacherfiles.com/resources-bp-animals.htm

May this be a study that, like elephants, we won’t forget!

betty jo

Teaching July

Superstitions

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Because we’ve been having an abundance of craziness and busyness this week, I thought that we wouldn’t “do school” today. But… it’s Friday the 13th!

I’m wowed by the resources and links I have saved up for a study on superstitions do use on a Friday the 13th. Surely we’ll be able to make a little time to learn about superstitions because this stuff is INTERESTING! Below are the sites and resources I found to share with you just in case you can make time for a little superstition too.

Origins of common superstitions explained at Live Science http://www.livescience.com/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html

Behavioral psychology in regards to superstitions discussed from Kids Net Encyclopedia http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/su/Superstition

13 Superstitious Writing Prompts https://cecileswriters.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/superstitious-prompts/

Free Printable “Black Cat” border writing paper https://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_holidays.htm

20 +free superstition worksheets from Busy Teacher (you’ll need an account, but it’s easy to set up) http://busyteacher.org/classroom_activities-vocabulary/superstitions-worksheets/

Common Superstitions and Why We Have Them (article, video, graphics) https://medium.com/ecom-tips/common-superstitions-why-do-we-have-them-b701245e8ca7

Superstition origins video from Mental Floss (this one’s for the older kids) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyDUaSi-5w

Mathematical Properties of the Number 13 http://www.numbergossip.com/13

To keep this study in the right perspective we’ll include 1 Timothy 4:7 with this study. “People tell silly stories that don’t agree with God’s truth. Don’t follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God.”

And finally some music, which my kids will consider ancient history, but saying such a thing may bring them some bad luck!

betty jo

It’s Unanimous For Strawberries!

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At the beginning of each month I go through the special days listing, and check off what I think we should add to our studies. I also give the list to the kids and they check off the topics that interest them. (https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/04/29/special-days-in-may/). Rarely does a monthly theme interest all of us, but the May food theme, STRAWBERRIES, was unanimous!

This close to the end of our school year, I really won’t have the time to develop our own strawberry study, but can not just ignore the fact that we all want to explore this favorite food. This is where my friend, Fran, comes in! (http://www.franw.com/) She has developed and published an e-book appropriately named Strawberry Craze.

Strawberry Craze is a 91 page study and activity guide. Fran has graciously given me a copy and I’m so excited! It is covers subjects across the curriculum and has something for all ages. She gives the instructions for crafts, gardening, and science experiments. She has included a list of questions for research projects and little known facts and trivia. Strawberry Craze has math, health, and language connections, too. And recipes! Not just a couple of yummy desserts to try, but recipes for lip gloss, scratch-n-sniff stickers, shampoo, and play clay, just to name a few.

Strawberries have been added to the top of my weekend shopping list! And will probably be repeated on every grocery list in between now and when we are able to pick our own from our garden.

Now is the right time to pick up a copy of the e-book for yourself. It’s being offered for only $2! To find out more and take a peek at some sample pages click here http://www.franw.com/2013/09/strawberry-craze-ebook.html

Oh, by the way, Fran gave me Strawberry Craze just because she’s my friend. The e-book gift was not given to me for the purpose of this review. The review and recommendation is completely of my own doing.

betty jo

April Fool’s Day – Learning Resources

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April Fool’s Day isn’t the type of holiday that warrants a day off from homeschooling lessons. However, it is one of those holidays that can be a homeschooling lesson theme. Here’s some resources for teaching and learning on April Fool’s Day.

History – “As April Fools’ is celebrated in different ways throughout the world, it is unknown exactly how the tradition originated. Some cultures saw it as the first day of spring, celebrating with general merriment and feasting, and certain calendars may consider it the first day of the year. One theory for the terming of an April Fool was that some refused to follow these calendars that recognized April 1st as the first day of the year, which resulted in being called an April Fool.” And more history and information from here http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm

Bible – Study of “the fool” based on Proverbs 26 https://bible.org/seriespage/fool-proverbs-261-11

Language Arts – Worksheets and Word Game Printables http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/april-fools-day/printables/

Science – Videos and Experiments http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/informal-science-education/celebrate-april-fools-day-with-floating-paper-airplanes-three-cup-monty-and-the-dangers-of-dihydrogen-monoxide/

Math – Magic Trick instructions using numbers – http://easycalculation.com/funny/tricks/trick1.php

Yes! I have some googly eyes in the craft box. My kids look in the fridge about 100 times a day (hoping the food selection has changed?) . This will be funny!

Last year we had some fun pranking each other. Here’s the resources we pulled some ideas from. I checked, and it seems the links are still good. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/31/foolish-studies/