Keeping It Simple

Part 2: Making paper from a used brown paper bag to make labels to put on boxes so that we can start our own "recycling factory".       Kit with materials ready to go!                                    Mark and James tear up a paper bag (1 cup).  Place pieces and 4 cups of warm water in a bowl. While we waited for 5 minutes for the paper to soak, we watched a cool video about the recycling process on youtube. Add the paper and water to the blender (with help from big brother Paul).  Slowly turn blender on and then increase speed.  Place a screen over a mug with a rubber band to secure it. Pour the pulp on to the screen. Let the water drain into the mug by pushing on the pulp. Place the pulp on a screen on newspaper or paper towel...

When this experiment showed up in my email box, I knew the boys would love it. And it is very, very simple! Step 1 Put a candle behind a box and try to blow it out. (it does not show in the picture, but James blew really, really hard to try and blow the candle out) Step 2 Repeat the experiment, but this time use a round can. (with no effort, the candle blew out) "In the 1930’s Henri Marie Coanda discovered that a fluid (air is a fluid) has a tendency to follow a curved surface." For a complete explanation of this experiment, you can visit Exploration Education's Newsletter for April . (I don't want to break any copyright laws!)                                                          ...

Years ago, I subscribed to these kits from the Young Scientist Club. As sometimes happens (at least around here) they were shelved and quickly forgotten. When I first saw this " Science Sunday " link up, I thought this might a be a good reason to dust off those kits and join in! I love it when when I stumble across some bloggy inspiration. Science Kit 1 Purpose: to learn about the importance of recycling by making a mini-composter and by making different kinds of paper from old paper to use as labels on recycling bins. Mini-composter:   Fill a container large enough to old the two peat moss pellets (included in kit) 1/4 C full of water (we actually switched to two smaller containers).  Once peat moss has enlarged, put a small piece of apple in the middle of one peat moss pellets making sure that is completely covered with the peat moss. Put a small piece of plastic bag in the second pellet also covering it completely.  Water the top of both peat moss...

My photography is a bit bumpy! I always seem to do that. Anyway, this is for my niece and nephews who were studying shells (with Download N Go) earlier this school year. When we went to the aquarium last time (with them), I don't think this creature was so active. (it is feeding on a shrimp in the bottom of the tank)

Down the street from our house, just a stones throw from the freeway, is a little pond paradise. We visited it today for our "pond study" that we are doing with Paddle-to-the-Sea .  We arrived at the pond and the kids were impressed immediately with two things- the size of the leaves (no picture but there were huge maple type leaves) and the swans. We were also interested to see pond water plants that we had read about.  Our mission to was to "look and listen".  One of our first hidden finds were some spiders.  We sat for a while and drew some of the things we saw.  The kids who finished their drawings each chose a quiet spot to sit by themselves and observe. I was impressed by all they were able to tell me about what they heard and saw- dragonflies, bird calls, ducks,...  The turtle were quick on their feet, so we thought we were not going to get a picture, but MeLei caught these two near the end of our trip. To the right, the ki...

I wanted to dig in to some science with my boys, but I was unsure which direction to go- I remembered that I had Considering God's Creation by Eagle's Wings sitting on a shelf somewhere . Years ago (1993 or so) I purchased it to use with my now adult children. Happily, it did not take too long to find it! :) I was agonizing a bit over whether this the answer for us, but I finally decided to jump in-- "do something even it's wrong!!" is something my husband often says (great words for someone as indecisive as I am ;)) - three weeks later, I'd say it was the right decision. :) Mark with his "planet mobile" page. This seems to be a great fit for my boys. The material is interesting to them, there is just enough hands-on to keep it fun (most lessons have a simple activity- very few supplies are required), and the notebook pages are fun without being too intense (too much writing kills the enjoyment for my boys). :) My boys have particularly enjoye...