Tag Archives: science

Arrrrgh! Pirates!

According to the special days in September calendar, the 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day! And on our planner, it’s the last day of our pirate unit study that we have been working on a couple of days a week for the past several weeks. It’s been a fun and interesting study. Below are some of the resources we have been using.

For pirate biographies, dictionary, lore, sea sickness, and more http://the-pirate-ship.com/

For learning about how much work it was to sail a full-rigged ship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6DZIvMZWzQ

Since pirates needed sewing skills for sail repairs we have added some sewing instruction to our lessons.

https://sewing.com/hand-sewing-stitching-basics/

How to tie knots was also a valuable pirate expertise, so we gave that a try as well. This site has step by step knot tying instructions http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/

Navigation by stars was another important sailor skill https://seahistory.org/sea-history-for-kids/navigating-by-the-stars/

Instructions for making a cork and needle compass https://www.nps.gov/articles/compass.htm

Our lapbook board (we glued these to file folders once the unit study was finished).

Free unit studies and lapbook printables along with book lists and other links to follow http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__pirates.php

“Why are pirates called pirates?” – “They just arrrrrr!” and, lots of other pirate jokes for kids http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/topics/pirate.shtml

Blackbeard, pirate, and treasure chest printable notebooking pages http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_ss.htm

More pirate themed notebooking pages http://edgalaxy.com/printable-paper-for-teachers/2012/9/22/pirate-themed-writing-pack.html

Pirate Adventure Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/pirate-printable/

These are a few of our library finds.

Movies and music!

Interactive sunken treasure game http://nationalgeographic.org/education/multimedia/interactive/maps-tools-find-sunken-treasure/

Interactive “Walk the Plank” and Pirate themed Math Games https://www.math4childrenplus.com/?s=pirate

And “Talk Like a Pirate Day” Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/talk-like-a-pirate-day-viral-growth/

Our chalkboard wall mural. The instructions for how to draw a pirate ship from here were quite helpful. http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/drawing/how-to-draw-pirate-ships.htm

In conclusion to our pirate unit studies we attempted to make this treasure chest cake! https://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/category/other/pirate/treasure-chest/

Haha! Another “Pinterest Fail”, but still tasted good!

For more resources for special days in September click here

Wishing you smooth sailing!

betty jo

Fireworks

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These photos were taken at our city’s riverfront last night. It was our family’s second year to attend their annual event. A few of the families in our neighborhood have been celebrating Independence Day all week and we have seen some beautiful fireworks and heard some BOOMS. Z has been excited and J has tried to be tolerant. They have had some questions. My answer is the same for each of them, “Let’s google it”. Our search resulted in our homeschooling summer school lesson of the day and covers the subjects of history, science, and because we use the internet, computer lab gets a “check”. We have a community service project also. (There is quite a bit of firework trash to be picked up in the neighborhood yards and street.)

Below are J’s and Z’s questions and the links to the answers.

“Where do fireworks come from?” “The birthplace of fireworks is generally recognized as China, with the first explosive mixture found being black powder, during the Sung dynasty (960-1279)” For the rest, click this link to the brief article, The History of Fireworks http://www.pyrouniverse.com/history.htm

“Why do we celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks?” According to Slate, that answer is , “Because John Adams wanted us to. Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, he envisioned fireworks as a part of the festivities. In a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, he wrote that the occasion should be commemorated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” The first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off on July 4, 1777.” You can link here for the full article. http://www.slate.com/articles/life/explainer/2012/07/history_of_fireworks_in_america_why_do_we_celebrate_fourth_of_july_with_fireworks_.html

“What makes fireworks explode in different colors?” According to a post from the Interactive Technology Experience Center’s Facebook page, “Sodium produces yellow/gold colors. Barium creates green, copper compounds produce blue, strontium salts give you red and titanium metals give you silver coloured sparks.
Other commonly used chemicals are carbon which provides the fuel, oxidizers which produce oxygen for burning, magnesium which increases the overall brilliance and brightness, antimony that gives you a “glitter” effect and calcium which deepens the colors.”
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Interactive-Technology-Experience-Center-iTEC/115400341904918

“How do fireworks work?” We found the answer in this video from Science Kids and The Franklin Institute. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/chemistry/fireworks.html

“Can we make some fireworks?” We don’t have to google this answer, I already know it, “NO!”

betty jo

Considering the Moon

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Psalm 8:3^“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place,”

Sunday, June 23 is the date for the Super Moon and an excellent opportunity to “consider the moon”. .

According to NASA, “The Moon will reach its closest distance to the Earth at exactly 7:32 am EDT (4:32 am PDT) on 23 June, but because it will be peaking in the early morning hours, both 22 June and 23 June will put on similar shows. So either day will be a good opportunity to see the larger-and-brighter-than-normal Supermoon.

This year the Supermoon will be up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical Full Moon is. This is a result of the Moon reaching its perigree – the closest that it gets to the Earth during the course of its orbit.”

You can link to the full NASA article here http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/display.cfm?News_ID=44049

If interested in a moon unit study, I recommend the free lapbook resources Sun, Moon, and Stars. We used these last summer when we studied the moon missions. http://www.homeschoolshare.com/space_lapbook.php

For teachers and older students I recommend this article, The Moon: A Faithful Witness in the Sky. http://www.icr.org/articles/view/150/344/

This site has 200 “moon” related learning links! http://watchknowlearn.org/SearchResults.aspx?SearchText=moon&page=1

And for something a little silly and active try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EEynvjfljU

betty jo

The Great Barrier Reef

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June 11 is the anniversary of the discovery of the Great Barrier Reef (1770). Also, the third week in July is “Coral Reef Awareness Week”! Here’s the links we will be following in our homeschooling summer school lesson of the day (and maybe tomorrow’s lesson too).

About the reef from the Marine Park Authority of Australia http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef

Photo Gallery https://www.livescience.com/23611-image-gallery-great-barrier-reef-through-time.html

Lapbooking materials http://www.homeschoolshare.com/coral_reef.php

documentary here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_d3LFvc8HQ

It is going to be a “G’ Day” of homeschooling with this Great Barrier Reef Study!

betty jo

Watching Our Garden Grow

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After last years failed attempts at growing anything in our yard, we are surprised that our new garden is doing so well. In fact, we were expecting our homeschool Key Hole Garden science project to not do so well.

Both the pepper and tomato plants are blooming.

Worms, used coffee grounds, rotting vegetables and fruits, and flies. Such a wonderful example of how God uses the yucky stuff to create something useful and beautiful!

Romans 8:28^“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

For more about our homeschool gardening project , click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/14/homeschool-gardening/

And here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/03/yuck-worms/

betty jo

Yuck! Worms!

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“Mom, why do worms go to the sidewalk when it rains?” I answer that I don’t know, then tell him to pick them up and throw them in our garden. Of course that leads to his next question, “Why?” Before another worm question can be asked, the idea for a new mini unit study is already forming in my head. And since the weather forecast is calling for more showers, I am thinking now will be a good time to begin.

I found this at our library for the younger boys, but we will all read it because we all love picture books.

For the answers to the worm questions, we’ll take a look here http://www.biologyjunction.com/earthworm%20facts.htm#How%20long

Because very few science studies are complete without a lapbook project, we’ll download from here http://www.homeschoolshare.com/worms.php

Worm jokes for fun from a wonderful kids and garden site http://www.kidsgarden.northwestwigglers.com/worms-and-bugs/worm-jokes/

And for the grand finale, gummy worms and the movie, How To Eat Fried Worms.

For more about our homeschool’s gardening project click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/14/homeschool-gardening/

In case you are wondering why the worm crossed the road, I know that answer. To get away from the chicken!

betty jo

Galileo

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GALILEO GALILEI

Astronomer, Physicist

1564 – 1642

As we continue our homeschooling Middle Ages/Renaissance unit studies, we will be adding Galileo to our lessons. Not only will we be focusing on his inventions and discoveries, but also his character. He showed great respect for those he disagreed with. His willingness to speak out for his beliefs when such beliefs were considered heresy, is inspiring. It’s going to be an interesting study. I found fantastic links and want to share them with you.

Short Biography, quiz, and printables (for younger students) – http://www.gardenofpraise.com/ibdgalil.htm

Galileo Biography, Discoveries, and Inventions (for older students) [Parental Warning! There was an inappropriate ad in the middle of the biography! I was able to close it. It may be a smart idea to check the page before handing it over to you kids to read.] https://www.famousscientists.org/galileo-galilei/

Galileo quotes – http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Galileo_Galilei/

Galileo notebooking pages (3rd down on the pdf list) – http://jimmiescollage.com/downloads/science/

A re-creation of Galileo’s “falling bodies” experiment at Pisa – (This physics professor goes all out for this one!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kv-U5tjNCY

Galileo Experiments Interactive – http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/galileo-experiments.html

“What Galileo Saw With His Telescope” documentary video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCIEYUeXll8

“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use”. Galileo

betty jo

Homeschooling On Earth Day

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Genesis 2:15^“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

That’s the verse we will be concentrating on for our devotion/discussion and lead in for our other Earth Day lessons

Huge List of Earth Day related vocabulary words and several word puzzles https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/earth-day-vocabulary/

Earth Day Related Quotes http://www.dgreetings.com/earth/quotes.html

Earth Day Related Math Activities https://www.yummymath.com/2018/earth-day-2018-12-activities/

Water Life Interactive Game and Educator Resources https://games.noaa.gov/oscar/welcome.html

Earth Day Projects, Activities, and Ideas http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/27-earth-day-projects-for-kids-and-more/

https://www.weareteachers.com/5-earth-day-math-and-science-activities/

http://lessonplanspage.com/earthday-htm/

Make a Difference – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

REDUCE: Since there is always room for improvement for energy conservation at our house, we’ll be brainstorming ways to cut back on our usages. (I sure hope someone will feel motivated to fix the toilet that flushes on it’s own what seems like hundreds time a day for the past week.) Here’s some tips and resource for energy conservation for kids http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/home-energy-conservation-for-kids/#.Vxo8_0dezIU

REUSE: We keep a large box of paper towel rollers, scrap paper, small boxes, plastic containers, rags, and various jars and bottles to use when we want to work on crafts, building model projects, or to make games. However, the box is just a big mess presently. Earth Day is a great excuse to dump and reorganize that box. And, make some plans to use those items. Fran (our family’s favorite “substitute teacher”) is our first go-to source for using recyclables! http://www.franw.com/2017/04/earth-day-activities.html

RECYCLE: Our town has a recycling center. We’ve visited several times to drop off “trash”. And, we toured and worked there a few years ago with our local homeschool group. I think I’ll check into scheduling another group visit. If you’re not able to visit a recycling center, you can watch a video or two.

Reading Rainbow – How Trash is Recycled https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1l8HXa3HLk

What might it look like is we didn’t reduce, reuse, and recycle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWsl5wn6x0Q

Have a happy Earth Day,

betty jo

Homeschool Gardening

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^{Genesis 1:11}And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

¹²And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

¹³And the evening and the morning were the third day.

We did not plant a garden last year. However, we attempted to grow some flowers , bushes, and a few vegetables, but nothing succeeded in our clay and rock soil. This year we are trying again, but we won’t be planting directly into the yard.

This past week, my husband and B15 dug out a 10ft diameter circle and lined it with bricks, (my husband is a brick layer so we always have a pile of bricks around), with a path designed going into the center. Do you think it looks like Pacman? E17 and a friend of mine think it does.

Z7 helped his dad and B15 add a ton and a half of good soil.

Now we have a garden spot. My husband must be anxious to get this project finished, because he went to the nursery as soon as the new soil was spread out and bought some tomato plants.

That burlap basket is for our compost. This idea, as well as the garden shape, comes from So. Africa’s “key-hole” gardens. Brilliant plan! There is no bottom to the basket, just rocks so the rain water can drain. And as the water drains, it washes the nutrients from the compost into the soil. When we water it during the dry spells, we’ll do so through that basket. We won’t have to dirty up our feet when we take out our compost. That’s what that path to the center is for. Also, most of the picking can be done from the outside of the garden.

E17 went back to the nursery with her dad yesterday. She decided on several different pepper plants and some mint. Maybe next weekend we’ll add beans, calliflower, and broccoli.

With all this gardening going on, we will be adding some garden studies to our homeschool science lessons.

We will be working on this free Gardening Unit Study from http://www.inallyoudo.net/2013/03/26/gardening-unit-study-prek-5/

We’ll also be using some of the garden connections for unit studies and lapbooking from http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__plants.php

And, I found gardening journaling pages and interactive games here http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables/category/9-kids-gardening-growing-healthy-food (By the way, this site is very cool! I’ve got it bookmarked for later studies.)

You can view the Keyhole Garden tutorial here http://www.se7en.org.za/2009/04/26/saturday-spot-our-virtual-keyhole-garden (This site is awesome, plan on staying here to explore for a while!)

For another post about our gardening science unit study, click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/16/a-science-lesson-from-a-friend/

Are you gardening with your children? And, is your garden shaped like Pacman, too?

betty jo