Stephen started his World War II conflicts map (with overlays) and timeline from the Time Travelers World War II Unit Study… (He is as content as can be working on maps and timelines, ESPECIALLY when they have to do with WWII.)
He also completed the first WWII project – a simple notebook page on Hitler’s Climb to Power. It’s shocking to know how World War II came about. And in the Fall 2011 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, there was an article on the Nuremberg Trials that I just read last night. Wow! It is well worth the read!
Science!
After two weeks of postponing our science activities, we finally did some more Chemistry. In Classical Science Elementary Chemistry (this is a purchased curriculum, but you can download Chapter 1 for free), we learned a bit about metals and nonmetals and more about how the Periodic Table is organized.
We conducted a simple experiment on a metal’s ability to conduct heat: Boil some water, pour it in a coffee cup, measure the temperature.
Repeat, only now see what happens if a metal spoon is in the cup. Repeat again, but add another spoon. And do it again with another spoon…. Eventually, you’ll get the picture.
So the boys have now discovered a way to cool down their Ramen noodles more quickly: “Now I can put a spoon in the bowl AND put it in the freezer!”
And that was the big eureka moment this week.
We also played with electrons this week using an experiment that shows how aluminum is giving and iron is not. Smear ketchup on aluminum foil. Wrap the foil over a stainless steel pot, pan, or bowl. (Be sure the aluminum foil is in contact with the ketchup is in contact with the stainless steel.) When you wake up the next morning, you will see holes in the foil (aka, corrosion) where the aluminum foil was in contact with the ketchup was in contact with the stainless steel. (The electrons passed from the aluminum through the ketchup to the iron in the pot.)
And we are now discovering the reason why we brush our teeth with fluoride-enriched toothpaste.
Supplies Needed:
Pour the fluoride over the egg….
and then wait… till the next day. Then take the egg out and place it and another non-treated egg in vinegar. Compare what happens and then… go brush your teeth!
Then we had a double-reaction experiment using starch, peroxide, iodine, Vitamin C and water. (I leave off the experiment and explanation to encourage those who can afford to do so to actually go grab a copy of Mr. Q’s Classical Science Elementary Chemistry. It is just great!)
At first the solution is clear, but then it turns a dark color. It has something to do with iodine first reacting with Vitamin C and then reacting with peroxide (in the presence of starch).
I’m thinking the kids need lab coats. And graduated cylinders and beakers instead of plastic teaspoons and drinking glasses. Even if science lesson loses some of its effect by being “kitchen chemistry” instead of “laboratory chemistry,” it does make chemistry seem more a part of real life!
We finally got around to doing our take-home experiment on Salt Needles. Better late than never!
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed… 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9
After the crushing, we drink from Living Waters of Grace, and we are pieced back together once again.
Fine Arts!
We watched Peter and the Wolf by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, which helped us in identifying particular instruments while listening to classical music.
We followed that up with listening to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite while eating pancakes Saturday morning. (David insisted on serving us while classical music was playing in the background.)
We made a My Musical Instrument Book with some of the other children in our homeschool community.
Geography!
Because geography is proving to be the most difficult of the subjects for us right now (thank goodness it’s a favorite subject!), we are now finding all sorts of ways to review.
-
- U.S. Features Geography Game
- Download Seterra, a free geography map quizzing program that keeps track of high scores and times. Now the boys can work at beating me at this thing. A great program!
Some GREAT games for the U.S. Features:
- U.S. Rivers by Sheppard Software
- U.S. Lakes by Sheppard Software
- United States Features Game by Your Child Learns
- States Puzzle Game by Your Child Learns
- Physical Features Map – Cut and Paste by Your Child Learns
And state & capitals practice (for variety):
- State Capitals – pick the capital given the state
- State Capitals – pick the state given the capital
- States and Captials Quiz
- There are several more options to choose from, along with tutorials if extra practice is needed before quizzing.
You can also print megamaps and State Maps with detailed features from Your Child Learns.
Finally, a few scenes from our neckadawoods this week…
For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10
I’m so thankful God allows us to borrow all of this!!!