Half a Hundred Acre Wood

Christian homeschooling integrating Classical and Charlotte Mason principles

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Making a TNT Timer Tutorial

For those who need a prop for a spy party… or just something to spice up timed math drills, here’s a simple tutorial for converting a kitchen timer to some mock TNT. Supplies: Wrapping paper tubes (or paper towel rolls) Scissors Red wrapping paper Invisible Tape Electrical Tape Kitchen Timer Procedure: 1.  Cut wrapping paper […]

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Christmas Wrap 2014: Our Year in Rhyme

This year has flown by lickety-split. ’Twas a wonderful time, wasn’t it? Finding time to rhyme-it has been a tad tough So we’re afraid this wRap may sound a bit rough… We started the year Oklahoma bound When our shoes in Hot Springs froze to the ground. A visit to Fordyce and Arlington Hotel, (We […]

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Our Favorite Things: Favorite Family Favorites

Over the past couple of weeks, some of our friends have asked what we have enjoyed most out of all the books, studies, and games we’ve used… There’s no doubt we’ve purchased, reviewed, and tested out a TON of various books and resources over the past ten years, some of which were fantastic finds, some of […]

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Make a Pumping Model Heart

Although this experiment took some prep time and was a bit messy, the boys loved it! This model gave us a springboard for discussion about how oxygen-depleted blood is pumped to the lungs and oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the body – all at the same time! Purpose: Students will make a working model of […]

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Make a Model Lung

Purpose: Students make a working model of a pair of lungs to see how the diaphragm, lungs, and trachea work together. Materials: Plastic bottle with lid Straw Two rubber bands Two balloons Gum or modeling clay Procedure Cut off the bottom of the bottle Cut off the neck of the balloon Secure balloon over the […]

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Anatomy Experiments: Kidney Filtration & Kidney Model

Kidney Filtration Purpose: Model how kidneys filter blood.Materials: Cornstarch Iodine Water Two drinking glasses Measuring cups Measuring spoons Sandwich baggie Twist tie Procedure: Add one teaspoon of cornstarch to 1/8 cup of water. Stir. Add 3/4 cup of hot water and stir well. Measure 1/4 cup of cornstarch mixture… …and pour into sandwich baggie. Use a […]

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Anatomy Experiments: Digestion

This is a very simple experiment using normal household items. Purpose: Model how bile from the liver digests fat as it enters the small intestine. Materials: Shallow dish or pie pan Cotton swab Whole milk Food coloring Liquid dish soap or hand soap Procedure: Pour about 1/2 inch of milk into the dish/pan. Add four […]

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Civil War History Study

As we approach the end of the semester, we plan to continue our study of the War that Crossed Five Aprils even into our winter break. We hope to visit a few of our state’s Civil War sites over the holidays as a review of many of the projects we’ve completed (or will complete) as […]

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Why Cursive? Why Copywork? Why Poetry?

During my first years of homeschooling, many questions plagued me, especially as we found ourselves in the midst of a community of classical educators…  Why introduce my children to cursive handwriting? Why emphasize the mundane act of copywork? Why read poetry, much less memorize it? Although I liked the idea of a classical education for […]