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Science and History The Natural Way
Digest (part 3)MESSAGE: Re: A "nature club" AUTHOR: Sandra DATE: Sunday, 16 May 1999, at 8:07 p.m. Response To: A "nature club" Author: Giovanna Date: Monday, 10 May 1999, at 10:01 a.m. The Magic Schoolbus science experiments Book A would give you a wonderful starting point. I used it for an activity about ants that included children of several ages. It's very flexible. Have fun! > Rachel ( who will be five in July) > told me last night that she would like > to form a "NATURE CLUB." I > want to talk to her about this some > more as I'm not sure what constitutes > a "nature club" in her mind > but I think the idea is neat and I believe > it is a great opportunity for some natural > learning to take place. She has a list > of friends that she would like to invite > to her "nature club." > Any suggestions on what to do with > such an idea are greatly welcomed. > Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: We made a cool World Geography Game and I need some input. AUTHOR: Dawne DATE: Monday, 17 May 1999, at 4:55 a.m. Response To: Re: We made a cool World Geography Game and I need some input. Author: Marla Date: Sunday, 16 May 1999, at 11:48 a.m. > Maybe you could ask questions about > each of the 7 continents and having > to collect so many chips per continent. > Each continent could have their own > designated color. Let me know how it > goes. > Thanks Marla. I hadn't thought of breaking it down by continents. Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Can you recommend a good science book? AUTHOR: Bev Kimmel DATE: Monday, 17 May 1999, at 10:44 p.m. Response To: Can you recommend a good science book? Author: Susan Kennedy Date: Friday, 14 May 1999, at 7:56 p.m. A book I have not seen, but the description is appealing is called Exploring Creation With Physical Science by Jay Wile. You can read about it at the site www.the-book-peddler.com. You might be able to see it at your home school convention. I noticed they will be at several. Bev Kimmel > My 11 yo dd is homeschooling for > the first time this year after a diagnosis > of scoliosis. She, her dad, and I decided > that it would be easier to work with > her treatment program without the commitment > of a full school day. We are using the > Oak Meadow curriculum for 6th grade > and she is just flying thought it. For > next year, however, she has balked at > using the OM earth science curriculum, > preferring physical science. I have > no problem subsituting, but I don't > want her to just totally miss earth > science. I have noticed that whenever > she does research she always wanders > around the encyclopedia, using the pictures > she sees to spark her interest about > all sorts of topics. Can anyone recommend > a good science book that would serve > that same purpose with regard to earth > science? I really think that if she > casually encountered other science topics > she would become enthusiastic about > them, too. Thanks for a great board. > Susan Kennedy ======================================== MESSAGE: Anything by Usborne- they are excellent quality for a reasonable price (No I don't sell them ! ;-) nt AUTHOR: Kim from Sidetracks DATE: Tuesday, 18 May 1999, at 8:50 a.m. Response To: Re: Can you recommend a good science book? Author: Liz Date: Saturday, 15 May 1999, at 8:47 p.m. > I haven't used Sonlight, but DH > is teaching Science this year and is > very impressed with it. I think he plans > to use it for grade 5 Science. It wouldn't > hurt to check it out. I used Considering > God's Creation for an earlier grade. > It is written so that it can be used > by multiple grades. I liked it, too. > Liz ======================================== MESSAGE: Lyrical Life Science AUTHOR: Stacy DATE: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 9:40 a.m. Do you guys know about these? I just bought Vol. 1 of this series and love it!! If you don't know about these let me give you a bit of info."G" There are 3 volumes to this series. Vol 1 = Non-Amimal Kingdoms and Non-Mammalian Animals, Vol.2= Mammals, Ecology and Biomes, and Vol. 3 = The Human Body. Each volume includes a cassette tape, a book and a workbook. The cassette uses a wide variety of music - folk songs, songs from the civil war, Marines hymn, Irish, Scottish, etc. Each song on the cassette is information on the subject animal set to music. So, in Vol.1 some of the songs are: Mammals, Monotremes and Marsupials, Carnivores and Pinnipeds, Ungulates (Hoofed Mammals), Primates, Rodents, Whales, etc. Imagine info on Monotremes and Marsupials sung to an Elvis-style tune of *Love Me Tender*. "G" Or "Rodent-Like Mammals" sung to the Irish Jig "Irish Washerwoman". These songs just make me SMILE!! The book has all the words and music as well as several pages on each songs subject area. It also has lots of drawings of the animals. My daughter is only seven so for now we will just be using these songs for fun and to familiarize her (and me!!) with the different names and info. But, they would be great for older kids! It says they are appropriate for grade school through high school. I went ahead and ordered Vol.1 and as soon as I can I will be ordering Vol. 3.*G* ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Lyrical Life Science AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 9:44 a.m. Response To: Lyrical Life Science Author: Stacy Date: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 9:40 a.m. > Do you guys know about these? I > just bought Vol. 1 of this series and > love it!! If you don't know about these > let me give you a bit of info."G" THANK YOU STACY!! :-D Can you tell us where these can be ordered? Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Lyrical Life Science AUTHOR: Stacy DATE: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 10:49 a.m. Response To: Re: Lyrical Life Science Author: Giovanna Date: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 9:44 a.m. I bought mine through Sonlight and just ordered through their online ordering system at www.Sonlight-curriculum.com. I think that you can also get them at www.singnlearn.com These really are great! My daughter is listening to it right now. I think that these will be our new favorites. > > THANK YOU STACY!! :-D > Can you tell us where these can > be ordered? > Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Geography/Timeline Resource AUTHOR: Judy DATE: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 3:12 p.m. Hi! I'd like to recommend an awesome resource for history/geography studies and timelines. I got "The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide" by Maggie Hogan and Cindy Wiggers through Rainbow Resource. I think it's around $35. (Grades K-12) In the back are two sections called "Timeline Trekkin" and "Tools for the Time Traveler" and it has tons of reproducible timeline figures, along with a "Book of Centuries"-type notebook form and a "Who Am I" game to play with your timeline. I can't begin to tell you how much information is in just these two sections. Directions and ideas for building different types of timelines (file cards, wall-strips, poster, notebook), ideas for color-coding, symbols to use for different ideas, etc... The timeline figures in this book are contained in small squares (2" x 2", 20 per page). There's a small picture in the center of a person (mostly computer clip-art pics, b/w), place, map, object, etc. There's a coded border around the square that tells "when" an event took place (middle ages, enlightenment, etc.). The year(s) and a short title for the card is printed on it. Then there's an icon/symbol that tells what"--like science, wars/battles, exploration and discovery, governments, people, etc.. At the bottom of the page of squares, there's an instruction like "print this sheet in YELLOW or color the borders in yellow! These events occurred in AFRICA." A few of the timeline figures are hand-drawn pencil sketches and aren't quite as visually appealing to me. Some of the clip-art figures are not as clear as others. But, they also strongly recommend the children make their own cards. You could trace or scan the card, delete/erase the portions you don't want and add your own. They give ideas for adding your family history to the timeline, etc.... Anyway, this is just the last two chapters of this 300+ pg book! There are TONS of things in here--games, outline maps, activities, short fact files for each continent with map-it activities, geography across the curriculum.... even a unit study using "Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates". Definitely a keeper!! Judy Rainbow Resource http://www.rainbowresource.com/ ======================================== MESSAGE: Games for Learning List AUTHOR: Judy DATE: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 3:31 p.m. Hi! I have another resource to recommend. I'm subscribed to a mailing list called Games for Learning. Everybody shares ideas for making their own games. As an added plus, one list member compiles all the game suggestions/ideas into a Word document (on a monthly basis) and you can download it from the OneList Shared File area of the mailing list. The people on the list are great about coming up with creative ideas for just about ANY interest or subject. Go to http://www.onelist.com In the "Find a Community by Name or Subject" box, type in GamesforLearning (no spaces) You'll be taken to a screen where you can subscribe to the regular or digest version, or read archives. Here's the list description: GAMES FOR LEARNING with The Game Lady is designed for parents who wish to use games as part of the education of their children. Games are a fun-filled way to introduce skills, drill material until mastered, review lessons, or test ability. The goal of this list is to share ideas for creating games individualized to the needs, interests, and abilities of each child. Questions, ideas, and resources of materials will be welcome. Homeschooling parents will greatly benefit from the use of games as part of their program. Also parents that choose to have their children enrolled in school will find games an extremely useful tool for drill or reviewing of lessons. Preschool parents will also love games as anenjoyable, non-pressure approach to instructing young children. Teachers are also welcome as games are so useful in the classroom as well. Judy ======================================== MESSAGE: Plant science, naturally AUTHOR: Laura in CT DATE: Saturday, 22 May 1999, at 4:57 a.m. I'm giving a workshop for beginning homeschoolers today, and in preparation I printed out a week's worth of the journal I keep for my two kids. I was talking to my daughter about what I was planning to talk about at the workshop, how I'm planning to use the journal to talk about a week in our lives, and pointed out how it looks as though we are in the midst of a unit study on plants. Only we aren't, not in the sense of a unit planned and executed by Mom! Since it's spring, we've been planting some seeds--sunflowers, herbs. Because my son got a Magic School Bus kit from Scholastic recently on plants, we got the idea to plant a dozen bean seeds in separate containers; we dig up a seed every few days to see what's happening under the earth. I happened to sign us up for two different farm field trips that both happened to be this week: one to a dairy farm, where we learned about sowing cow corn, among other things; the other to a 4-H farm, where part of the class was on seeds and germination, and they planted some seeds to take home. One day this week we were looking out the window watching it rain when I remarked on how our Morning Glories are climbing the trellis I recently put up for them. I wondered aloud how vines do that--how do they "know" to go up, how does that work? (I was--and am--genuinely curious, not trying to make a teachable moment.) I went and hunted up some books on plants and looked for something on vines. I didn't find anything, but we ended up reading through several pages of information on seeds and germination--info a little more detailed than what we'd read from the Magic School Bus kit. We also read some other pages that caught my son's eye. If I had planned a plant unit, it couldn't have worked this well! I love serendipity. ======================================== MESSAGE: Fun, (under$20) cheap and it's science AUTHOR: Barb DATE: Saturday, 22 May 1999, at 4:58 p.m. We just finished building ourselves a pond. We purchased a $9 water pump (bio flow from Walmart) and a tiny plastic childrens pool for $7. We searched for awesome rocks and constructed a waterfall. The possibilities are endless. Children are thrilled with their creation. Our older kids are having fun re-constructing the flow . They're bringing their friends over for input. (socialization) Some of the rocks (big) have fools gold in them. Chemistry kicked in when the water turned green.(why'd that happen?) Clorine cleared up that problem. Lots of discussions are happening. Now everyone (kids of all ages) wants to home school because, learning is so much fun. When dd (10) and I started this we did do it in a formal (school) way. It was hey, lets build a waterfall, the rest just followed. Home school children lack in socialization they say? BAAAA------HUMBUG, that is not true. ======================================== MESSAGE: Science Stuff AUTHOR: Deanne V. DATE: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 12:22 p.m. Sorry this is so long! I've been thinking a lot about science lately. My children have never been avid "scientists" in the way that I hear of other people's kids doing, although sometimes they did make up their own experiments or do stuff on their own from library books. They never had one driving interest in any particular science area. We never really followed a science "program." For about one month three or four years ago, we did the lessons in Developing Critical Thinking Through Science (and we loved it! The kids still talk about that), once and I did use some ideas from a Konos "plants" unit once, and a few other times we got library books and did some experiments, but mostly...science just "happened." My kids LOVED those New True books and the Franklin Branley books and other books like those. Every week I would get a few new books and read them to the kids and they would get books to read to themselves, too! We would browse the shelves (or browse the computer card catalog) for books that related to whatever the current interest was--maybe we'd seen something on TV, maybe we'd read another book that sparked an interest, maybe the kids just had some questions, etc. Then we'd find books about it. Or sometimes we'd find a really neat book and THAT would spark an interest. The interests were mostly short-lived OR they would sometimes be "recurring." Everything was NEW, everything was interesting, and many things were exciting. The kids were just learning about the world and how things work. But...have any of you with older kids gone to the NEXT level? The next step? Once things are no longer "new" and *everything* is no longer so interesting...then what do you do? With my kids...once they got beyond the "New True" book stage, the books for older kids were BORING, boring, boring, a lot of the time. And I agree. There aren't that many books that are as interesting that are written on a higher level and yet, the New True books (and similar books) are no longer really satisfying--especially to someone my daughter's age (13). She does like the DK books and other similar books, but she seldom seeks them out for specific knowledge--or for anything, really. Even something like Contact Magazine is really for younger kids. It whets her appetite, but doesn't satisfy. (But she still likes it, so I keep our subscription.) I have found that my son has gone through these stages at a younger age, following close behind my daughter's footsteps. His interests, when he was little, were a little more intense than my daughter's were, at times, and tended to last a bit longer. He is only 9 now, though almost 10, but already things are not as "new" and interesting as they once were. We can't just watch Wild Discovery at night and expect the kids to be interested, the way we did when they were younger. I guess, what I'm saying is...it's just not EASY once they get older. In fact, I think it's really, really hard, unless the kids have a specific driving interest they are following. But it's more than that. I mean, my kids still have interests, but it's just that it is no longer easy to follow up on things, either. My daughter is always asking me questions that I cannot answer--questions that I cannot even conceive of there BEING an answer. I want to try to write some of these down to share them with you all and see what you think, but, to be truthful, I usually forget the questions before I get them written down. It's not because I don't take her seriously, but because if I don't have an answer for her right away, she loses interest in it or says, "Never mind" and she doesn't like the idea of my writing down the questions and asking other people. :-) So I try not to make a big deal about it, but also...a lot of the questions she asks don't make sense to me, so I can't make any "connections" with them in my brain, and that's why I forget them later on. Well, anyway, I am going to make a concerted effort to keep a notebook with me at all times and write down the questions as soon as she asks them... BUT...I still think this is almost too hard. For my son, too. He wants to learn more about flight... I have NO idea how to go about that. I know nothing about flight. I'm not sure what he wants to know because he already knows a lot. The kids' books at the library won't tell him anything he doesn't already know and the adult books are too much, too hard, too boring. He does get adult books from the library about airplanes, though. In fact, he just bought himself two brand new adult books about World War II airplanes with a gift certifcate he got for Christmas. I would love to hear your thoughts on this as it relates to your kids--all of you--with big & little kids. :-) I guess I miss the times when it was SO easy to follow up their interests and questions AND to excite them with something new. For next year, my daughter and I have discussed what she wants to do and she doesn't want to follow any program or use a text book (both things I suggested because she likes to jump around from topic to topic). She doesn't want to study just one thing. She LOVES the idea of just getting books from the library and reading about various topics--which is actually all we've ever done. :-) Yet, her "bent" seems to be science--it's her greatest interest, and she wants to be a scientist and an astronaut and/or maybe an archaeologist when she is older, so she has goals and interests. It just seems like we should do more than just read random library books. :-) Yet, she is not interested in anything *I* can think of in relation to these interests. For example, she is NOT interested in reading about astronauts or reading about the space shuttle or the space program, or the solar system, etc. She's read enough on those topics and is bored with all of that. She has read all the children's books I can find on black holes and quasars and things like that--which is her real interest (along with aliens hehe). So...what is the next step? We live on an island in Alaska, so there is not too much outside stuff we can do, although there is going to be an archaeological dig here this summer and I am hoping and praying that she will be accepted as a volunteer!!! Other than that...I have no idea! Deanne P.S. Anyone have any ideas on what I can say to the "science" people to convince them that my daughter is mature enough to be a volunteer for something like this archaeological dig? I would prefer to let her speak for herself, but the first meeting is at the time of her last karate class for the year before she tests for the next belt level, and this has been her biggest passion this year--no way she would miss it for anything! So I am going to go to the meeting and volunteer her--I hope! The archaeology meeting is just an informational meeting and to find out about volunteering--so it's possible they will still want to meet her afterwards. Again..sorry this is so long! ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 12:39 p.m. Response To: Science Stuff Author: Deanne V. Date: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 12:22 p.m. HI DEANNE!!!! :-D I am going to be watching for responses with much interest. So basically your children do have interests. BUT... They are "experts" in their interests. They already know a lot more than what a children's book in their specific interests would be able to tell them but they find adult books boring. Would you say they've reached a "plateau" of sorts? You want to "break away" from this and go on to the next level but you are not quite sure how to do this or if a curriculum is the answer. I'm dying to read other's replies. I think I totally understand where you are at and what you are trying to say but I don't know that I have an answer for you. We need to hear from folks who have "been there and done that". I'm still not "there" yet! :-) Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Deanne V. DATE: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 1:23 p.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Giovanna Date: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 12:39 p.m. > They are "experts" in > their interests. They already know a > lot more than what a children's book > in their specific interests would be > able to tell them but they find adult > books boring. Yes, this is all true. They have interests and, while maybe they are not "experts" they do know a lot about the things they are interested in. And while they have interests, none of their interests are so compelling to them that they are "chomping at the bit" to learn more. They don't beg me to take them to the library. In fact, they are mostly bored with our small library here, though sometimes they find books of interest. My children are also interested in history, but again, not in a way that they are just dying to learn more. :-) > Would you say they've reached a > "plateau" of sorts? You want > to "break away" from this > and go on to the next level but you > are not quite sure how to do this or > if a curriculum is the answer. Yes! All of this. I was really tempted to get a curriculum or even an ordinary science text book for my daughter for next year. She loves to know a little bit about a lot of different things. She is always surprising me with the things she knows. For example, a few weeks ago we went on a field trip with our local HS group to tide pools. Two Coast Guard survival experts showed the kids the different kinds of things they could eat, what they shouldn't eat (in a survival situation, that is), and also taught them a lot about various animals and life there. Well, my daughter started telling my son and I about various classifications of the animals and other things like that, which I had no idea about. She said she remembered it all from a book she read 2 or 3 years ago. > I'm dying to read other's replies. Me too! > I think I totally understand where you > are at and what you are trying to say > but I don't know that I have an answer > for you. We need to hear from folks > who have "been there and done that". > I'm still not "there" yet! > :-) > Giovanna Thanks! I wish I could meet some people who have already "been there, done that" but most of the people I meet with older children are brand new HSers. Deanne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Ann in NC DATE: Tuesday, 25 May 1999, at 8:14 p.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Deanne V. Date: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 1:23 p.m. Okay, I'll take a stab at this (although it is very late here, and I may not be coherent). I've got four kids who have been homeschooled for 10 years, and they are now 11, 13, 16, and 19. So I guess we've been 'through it'. BUT....I don't worry about the plateaus. I just try to keep things going along...(and it sounds as if that is what is happening at your house...still doing library trips and homeschooling field trips). I think we compare our kids to "phantom" children...do you really think OTHER 13 year olds are reading all those adult texts? Yes, some may be...but most 13 year olds are worrying about make-up or skateboards. They aren't explainingg animal classifications. Also, I think we all hit places where we need a change...so I sometimes get on a kick where we'll be getting a lot of educational videos, or a kick where we're doing a lot of painting. I don't even suggest that the kids do it...I just do it myself. (And if *I* am interested in something, it won't be long until the rest of the family is, too.) Sometimes we all need to shift gears (especially if you don't have a large library). So you may try other means of investigating -- the computer, videos, tapes, kits, etc. I seem to recall thinking about this when my eldest was middle school age.... on emintue she's reading 4th grade level books and then all of sudden she was wanting to go to a college library for books.... Does this help at all? I suspect if you can just give your kids some more time, something will come up. I do tend to plan vacations around what the kids are interested in -- I have no clue how you would do that in Alaska...but, man, how lucky can you get to be there!! Anyway, whatever your situation, I'm sure you are doing plenty. But if your children are 15 when they start going to the adult books, that would be just fine. Ann PS One of the books I read about ADULT learning suggested getting books on a 4th grade level for a subject. They felt that was a great way to get started reading about a topic, and that those kinds of books did a good job giving the basics... ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Deanne V. DATE: Tuesday, 25 May 1999, at 10:21 p.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Ann in NC Date: Tuesday, 25 May 1999, at 8:14 p.m. Thanks for the answer! I think I should clarify, though. It's not that I *want* my kids to read adult books. :-) I really don't care about that. It's just that I can't seem to find many books about things that interest them--that books they really want to read. The books for the younger kids no longer hold their interest and there just don't seem to be many great books for older kids--or at least not ones that I have found. :-) I'm not comparing my kids to anyone else, real or imagined. :-) I have NO idea what others are doing--that's why I asked! :-) And about plateaus...it just feels like we've been sort of "stagnating" for a couple of years in this area--science. I feel like I've dropped the ball, I guess. :-) I don't know what to do now...and the kids aren't doing anything either. I think this is my daughter's main area of interest, but I don't know how to help her explore this. You are right! We need a change...but I don't know what that change should be. My daughter really doesn't care for computer stuff. I even bought her a really cool astronomy program, but she's never even touched it, except for when we first loaded it into the computer. (And she loves astronomy.) She has chemistry kits, other science kits, and we have tons of books of experiments and things like that--and all go unused. We've used videos for years, but, as I said in my first note...they are just not as interested in *everything* like when they were young. My daughter does enjoy videos about space and astronomy, but mostly just the mysterious ones. I agree about kids books, too! :-) I have learned more from reading with the kids than from trying to read any adult books. :-) So...maybe it's not the books. But I still feel like we're just doing nothing when we should be doing something. :-) Well, that's not exactly what I mean either. I guess I feel like the kids have interests, but it's not just that they aren't doing anything with their interests, but that they don't have that "spark" any more. Well, I'm not saying this right. I know what I mean, but I guess I can't explain it very well. :-) Deanne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Jo-Anne in SW Ontario DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 5:22 a.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Deanne V. Date: Tuesday, 25 May 1999, at 10:21 p.m. Just a thought, but have you thought of having her write her own science book over the summer? My 10 year old is doing one now on Hockey and he finds the project really interesting, you should see his plans and I have a list of other things that he has stumbled over while researching or just thinking aloud. > Thanks for the answer! I think > I should clarify, though. It's not that > I *want* my kids to read adult books. > :-) I really don't care about that. > It's just that I can't seem to find > many books about things that interest > them--that books they really want to > read. The books for the younger kids > no longer hold their interest and there > just don't seem to be many great books > for older kids--or at least not ones > that I have found. :-) I'm not comparing > my kids to anyone else, real or imagined. > :-) I have NO idea what others are doing--that's > why I asked! :-) > And about plateaus...it just feels > like we've been sort of "stagnating" > for a couple of years in this area--science. > I feel like I've dropped the ball, I > guess. :-) I don't know what to do now...and > the kids aren't doing anything either. > I think this is my daughter's main area > of interest, but I don't know how to > help her explore this. > You are right! We need a change...but > I don't know what that change should > be. My daughter really doesn't care > for computer stuff. I even bought her > a really cool astronomy program, but > she's never even touched it, except > for when we first loaded it into the > computer. (And she loves astronomy.) > She has chemistry kits, other science > kits, and we have tons of books of experiments > and things like that--and all go unused. > We've used videos for years, but, as > I said in my first note...they are just > not as interested in *everything* like > when they were young. My daughter does > enjoy videos about space and astronomy, > but mostly just the mysterious ones. > > I agree about kids books, too! > :-) I have learned more from reading > with the kids than from trying to read > any adult books. :-) So...maybe it's > not the books. But I still feel like > we're just doing nothing when we should > be doing something. :-) Well, that's > not exactly what I mean either. I guess > I feel like the kids have interests, > but it's not just that they aren't doing > anything with their interests, but that > they don't have that "spark" > any more. > Well, I'm not saying this right. > I know what I mean, but I guess I can't > explain it very well. :-) > Deanne > ======================================== MESSAGE: Private Eye! AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 5:22 a.m. Has anyone ever seen or used the PRIVATE EYE here? Excellent book. Not your average "curriculum" at all! Here is what the back of the book says: "The Private Eye is a program about the drama and wonder fo looking closely and the world, thinking by analogy and changing scale. It's also about theorizing. Designed to develop higher order thinking skills, creativity and scientific literacy--across the subjects. It's based on sa simple set of "tools" that produce "gifted" results. Hands on, investigative, The Private Eye, using everyday objects, a jeweler's loupe and simple questions, accelerates science, writing, art, math and social studies as well as vocational and technological education. It builds communication, problem solving and concentration skills. For k-12 through life, all levels. .......... The Private Eye is a book written by Kerry Ruef which explains how you can encourage thinking by analogy using a 5x or a 10x jewelers loupe. They sell the loupes separately. I've seen this in many homeschool catalogs. This is a great critical thinking program that uses science to develop other areas, especially poetry, art, writing. VERY INTERESTING! Here is a website that explains how one mom used Private Eye. Check this out! http://www.bright.net/%7Edouble/eye.htm ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Geography/Timeline Resource AUTHOR: Dawne DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 8:38 a.m. Response To: Geography/Timeline Resource Author: Judy Date: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 3:12 p.m. > I got "The Ultimate Geography > and Timeline Guide" by Maggie Hogan > and Cindy Wiggers through Rainbow Resource. > I think it's around $35. (Grades K-12) > In the back are two sections called > "Timeline Trekkin" and "Tools > for the Time Traveler" and it has > tons of reproducible timeline figures, > along with a "Book of Centuries"-type > notebook form and a "Who Am I" > game to play with your timeline. > I can't begin to tell you how much > information is in just these two sections. > Directions and ideas for building different > types of timelines (file cards, wall-strips, > poster, notebook), ideas for color-coding, > symbols to use for different ideas, > etc... > Anyway, this is just the last two > chapters of this 300+ pg book! There > are TONS of things in here--games, outline > maps, activities, short fact files for > each continent with map-it activities, > geography across the curriculum.... > even a unit study using "Hans Brinker, > or the Silver Skates". What is this Hans Brinker or Silver Skates? How much are they and where do they come from? > Definitely a keeper!! Sounds great but when I checked it out it said in the info. section that you NEEDED one of the above. Have you found that to be true? Dawne > Rainbow Resource http://www.rainbowresource.com/ > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: dmx DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 9:08 a.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Deanne V. Date: Tuesday, 25 May 1999, at 10:21 p.m. One thing that has really been great for my 13 yo is audio books. He's listened to The Beak of the Finch, a wide ranging book centering on the study of finches on the Galapagos, but bringing in Darwin's studies, geograpy, and other animal behavior studies going on right now. Many of Stephen Jay Gould's books are in audio form at our library. Hawkings' A Brief History of Time is also an audio tape that my son refers to occasionally. These may be too 'generalist' for your kids' interests, but they also might work to stimulate a new path. My son LOVES them & will listen to many things that otherwise he wouldn't necessarily be drawn to. It's also a great way to explore history and geography. Teddy Roosevelt's letters to his kids; the exploration of the Nile Rivers; the journals of Oregon Trail pioneers; a medical doctor working in coal mine territory early in this century - all on audio tapes. Of course, I don't know about the availability of these in your situation - perhaps your library would order some? They are definitely expensive to buy, so it may not be an option. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Deanne V. DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 10:46 a.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: dmx Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 9:08 a.m. > Of course, I don't know about the > availability of these in your situation > - perhaps your library would order some? > They are definitely expensive to buy, > so it may not be an option. Thanks for the suggestions. I think my daughter would love some of these books on audio. She is an avid reader, but she likes audio books also. I have only looked for "literature" books, though. :-) In other places we've lived, we had great libraries with lots of books, including audio books, but you guessed right--this library has only a few. Still, they *might* have something she might be interested in, and if I had some other ideas, I could request books and they might consider purchasing them. Deanne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Deanne V. DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 10:49 a.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Jo-Anne in SW Ontario Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 5:22 a.m. > Just a thought, but have you thought > of having her write her own science > book over the summer? My 10 year old > is doing one now on Hockey and he finds > the project really interesting, you > should see his plans and I have a list > of other things that he has stumbled > over while researching or just thinking > aloud. This is a neat idea. Is this a project your son decided to do on his own? I think that my daughter might like something like this, but only if it was HER idea! :-) She actually loves to write, but she enjoys writing fiction and generally hates writing "reports" or anything like that--or doing research. If the opportunity arises, I will suggest this to her. Deanne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Jo-Anne in SW Ontario DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 11:42 a.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Deanne V. Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 10:49 a.m. Actually, I know very little about Hockey, and couldn't answer his questions without looking things up. He normally had the answer before I did, One long tired day, I had finally found the answer to an elusive question, and went triumphantly to tell him the answer, only to be told he had found it that morning. I told him since he knew so much he should write a book to help me find the answers. I was kidding, but he's got pictures, and research, biography blurbs, and now a subscription to "Writers Journal" which he asked for, for his birthday. I'm amazed everytime I check his progress, he is doing a great job. > > This is a neat idea. Is this a > project your son decided to do on his > own? I think that my daughter might > like something like this, but only if > it was HER idea! :-) > She actually loves to write, but > she enjoys writing fiction and generally > hates writing "reports" or > anything like that--or doing research. > If the opportunity arises, I will suggest > this to her. > Deanne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) AUTHOR: Jo-Anne in SW Ontario DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 11:45 a.m. Response To: Re: Science Stuff (these are great questions!) Author: Deanne V. Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 10:46 a.m. Have you asked your library if they can order books from other libraries? All Ontario libraries are connected and can loan books to each other, but she may have to wait a while for the book to come in. > > Thanks for the suggestions. I think > my daughter would love some of these > books on audio. She is an avid reader, > but she likes audio books also. I have > only looked for "literature" > books, though. :-) In other places we've > lived, we had great libraries with lots > of books, including audio books, but > you guessed right--this library has > only a few. Still, they *might* have > something she might be interested in, > and if I had some other ideas, I could > request books and they might consider > purchasing them. > Deanne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Geography/Timeline Resource AUTHOR: Judy DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 4:03 p.m. Response To: Re: Geography/Timeline Resource Author: Dawne Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 8:38 a.m. > What is this Hans Brinker or Silver > Skates? How much are they and where > do they come from? It's the title of *one* book: "Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates" by Mary M. Dodge. It's a classic children's book, so I would imagine your library should have a copy. > Sounds great but when I checked > it out it said in the info. section > that you NEEDED one of the above. Have > you found that to be true? The only reason you would need the book is if you planned on doing the exact unit study included in the book. The unit study is in the book to give an example of a literature-based geography unit study. It's about 13-15 pages long. The rest of the book is all reference and resource material, so there isn't a need for the Hans Brinker book if you're not doing the unit study. Hope that answers your questions! Judy > Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: Lauralyn DATE: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 6:49 p.m. Has anyone used seen/used the revised version on CGC? I am interested in this science program for my 6th grade son. All comments and suggestions welcome. We have been studing Bob Jones Science for the last 3 years - I am tired of wading through the classroom instructions. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: Beth DATE: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 4:09 a.m. Response To: Considering God's Creation Author: Lauralyn Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999, at 6:49 p.m. We just saw it at our convention last weekend. It was great...lots to do ...we have the old one and we love it ..The kids love to do it..They have alot of activities to implement and lots of neat info...they have a digging deeper section also for more challenge. Beth > Has anyone used seen/used the revised > version on CGC? I am interested in this > science program for my 6th grade son. > All comments and suggestions welcome. > We have been studing Bob Jones Science > for the last 3 years - I am tired of > wading through the classroom instructions. > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 9:09 a.m. Response To: Re: Considering God's Creation Author: Beth Date: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 4:09 a.m. > We just saw it at our convention > last weekend. It was great...lots to > do ...we have the old one and we love > it ..The kids love to do it..They have > alot of activities to implement and > lots of neat info...they have a digging > deeper section also for more challenge. > Beth What is the difference between the "new" version and the "old" version? Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: Beth DATE: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 1:28 p.m. Response To: Re: Considering God's Creation Author: Giovanna Date: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 9:09 a.m. The new version has more word searches and word (crossword )puzzles. It does seem like it has more information and activities...Not certain about that/ Would you like me to ask on the email loop? Beth > > What is the difference between > the "new" version and the > "old" version? > Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: Laura in CT DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 7:05 a.m. Response To: Re: Considering God's Creation Author: Beth Date: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 1:28 p.m. A big difference, from what I understand, is that the new version sells the notebook section separately from the teacher section, whereas the old version had it all in one (3-hole-punched and perforated) book (with permission granted to photocopy for kids in the family). I'm not sure if the photocopying permissions are any different, though. We just got this--the old version, used--and rather like it. We're not usually curriculum users, but this seems to suit our style just fine. We dived in this week in the plant section, and the kids are really enjoying it. ======================================== MESSAGE: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! AUTHOR: Dawne DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 12:30 p.m. Ladies and Gents, PLEASE help. My ds (age 6) has been so diligent in up keep for our window sill herb garden. We've got savory, basil, parsley, marjoram, dill and chives. They are really growing and really, really need to be harvested. How do I dry them? I clipped a bunch and hung them upside down like a friend does. This was supposed to dry them out and make them brittle. Instead they got really soft and bendable. What should I do so that we can bottle them? We haven't measured in Tbsp and tsp yet and I'd like him to measure something he actually grew. I can tell him to add 1/2 tsp. of basil to spaghetti sauce, for example. Once I harvest these things will they keep growing? He's been great not to over water or to forget open the window shade to let the sun in. I'd hate to see such a good project end badly b/c his mom is such a city girl :) thanks, Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! AUTHOR: Laura in CT DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 2:14 p.m. Response To: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! Author: Dawne Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 12:30 p.m. You could just clip what you need and use it fresh--that's what I do. If you're using a recipe, it takes more fresh herb than dried. You can keep the plants growing indefinitely that way, and have fresh herbs all year round. Does this help? ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! AUTHOR: Lisa Torres DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 2:32 p.m. Response To: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! Author: Dawne Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 12:30 p.m. Patience is the key here. Be sure the bunches are small, so air can circulate all around the herbs, and hang in a cool dark place with good air circulation. The herbs will first wilt; then dry. They need to be as crisp as cornflakes before you store them or they will mold. You can also dry small amounts in the microwave: place the leaves on paper towels and nuke till they get crisp. Try 2 minutes, and if they aren't ready, do 2 more minutes till they're ready. I think basil is better if it's frozen in oil. Grind a big handful of leaves in the blender with a clove or two of garlic and a bit of olive oil; then freeze in plastic bags or in ice cube trays. You can pop the cubes out of the tray when frozen and then put them in plastic bags to store. And...Laura is right. Fresh herbs have the best flavor! Add snipped dill to potato salad or scrambled eggs; put savory in green beans; snip basil over sliced fresh tomatoes on top of a cheese pizza. If you keep snipping, the plants will just keep growing, and get healthier and bushier, too. Just be sure to leave some leaves on the plant each time to photosynthesize! You may want to plant the herbs outdoors for the summer, if you have a little space for them. If you have a lot of fresh herbs, you can pour vinegar over them and leave them for a week or two. Then filter and bottle in a clean bottle: Voila! herb vinegar. Tarragon is great; but I like garlic, mint, and dill...or opal basil. Yum! If the chives bloom, put the blossoms in white vinegar for a lovely pink color and oniony flavor. You can also use the blossoms in salads for a bit of color. Enjoy! > Ladies and Gents, PLEASE help. > My ds (age 6) has been so diligent in > up keep for our window sill herb garden. > We've got savory, basil, parsley, marjoram, > dill and chives. They are really growing > and really, really need to be harvested. > How do I dry them? I clipped a bunch > and hung them upside down like a friend > does. This was supposed to dry them > out and make them brittle. Instead they > got really soft and bendable. What should > I do so that we can bottle them? We > haven't measured in Tbsp and tsp yet > and I'd like him to measure something > he actually grew. I can tell him to > add 1/2 tsp. of basil to spaghetti sauce, > for example. Once I harvest these things > will they keep growing? He's been great > not to over water or to forget open > the window shade to let the sun in. > I'd hate to see such a good project > end badly b/c his mom is such a city > girl :) > thanks, Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: A timeline idea for those with tight budgets AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 4:44 p.m. I came across a neat idea today. Those of us with tight budgets and not a lot of wall space for some long wall timeline will appreciate this. Make a timeline using an index card file and index cards! Get index cards of different colors (Available at any office supply store). You can organize the timeline however your want. The different colors will be your categories. They can be different decades, time periods, centuries OR the different colors could stand for different countries or even things such as people, wars, inventions, etc. You write the information on the card (even include an illustration of some sort--a pciture of the person, a flag of a country--you can find pictures and images on the internet and print them) then file it according to how you want your timeline organized. You can file it by chronological order or by subject. Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Geography is essential! AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 4:58 p.m. I attended a conference today on how to teach geography. It made a lot of sense when the speaker explained how essential geography is. Geography should not be a supplement but the FOUNDATION of history. To fully understand history you must also understand geography. So much of world history has to do geography! Did it ever occur to you that almost all wars have to do with land?? Someone wants some piece of land and a dispute begins. Isn't it interesting to investigate why? If you can get a good book of outline of maps you have almost everything you need to learn geography. As a matter of fact you may not even need a book. I think there are internet sites with map outlines you can print out. Geography is much more than just learning the capital of the states or the name of a certain mountain range. As you learn about an event, pull out a map. Talk about where this event happened. Why it may have happened there. Talk about how the geography of the land may have had something to do with the event you are learning about. Then mark your outline map. Get to know the country, its natural resources, it's land formation. Mark where events happened,the cities nearby. Maps can be used in many different ways. If you are doing a unit on weather, for example, you can use the outline of say, Africa, to discuss climate. Mark the map of Africa to show where the different climates are. What cities and peoples are affected? How? Neat way to pull different subjects together! Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Geography is essential! (a good resource) AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 5:55 p.m. Response To: Geography is essential! Author: Giovanna Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 4:58 p.m. > If you can get a good book of outline > of maps you have almost everything you > need to learn geography. Let me recommend a good book for all of you. It's called UNCLE JOSH'S OUTLINE MAP BOOK. This is 100+ maps you can use and it's reproducible! What can you do with this? Here are just some ideas (per my previous post): Hurricane tracking, animal/habitat studies, track an explorers travels, mark where important battles happened. This book has the whole world! Rivers are lightly shaded and surrounding borders are left intact. Cost is about $19.95 You can get it from Geography Matters, Inc http://www.geomatters.com 1(800)426-4650 Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Oooh... hope I haven't missed you, Barb AUTHOR: Ann in NC DATE: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 8:10 p.m. Response To: Fun, (under$20) cheap and it's science Author: Barb Date: Saturday, 22 May 1999, at 4:58 p.m. My kids have been excited about this ever since I mentioned it to them...but as they start planning it all, I realize that I haven't a clue what you REALLY did. How did you set up the waterfall? Did you dig out the ground to put the pool in the ground? How high is the waterfall? Do you have a hose attached to the waterfall? Does the water recycle itself? Etc, etc,etc!!! Could you take a few minutes to explain it all to me? Thanks so much! Ann > We just finished building ourselves > a pond. We purchased a $9 water pump > (bio flow from Walmart) and a tiny plastic > childrens pool for $7. > We searched for awesome rocks and > constructed a waterfall. The possibilities > are endless. Children are thrilled with > their creation. Our older kids are having > fun re-constructing the flow . They're > bringing their friends over for input. > (socialization) Some of the rocks (big) > have fools gold in them. Chemistry kicked > in when the water turned green.(why'd > that happen?) Clorine cleared up that > problem. Lots of discussions are happening. > Now everyone (kids of all ages) wants > to home school because, learning is > so much fun. When dd (10) and I started > this we did do it in a formal (school) > way. It was hey, lets build a waterfall, > the rest just followed. Home school > children lack in socialization they > say? BAAAA------HUMBUG, that is not > true. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! AUTHOR: Julie DATE: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 7:24 a.m. Response To: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! Author: Dawne Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 12:30 p.m. I put mine on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven. I don't turn on the oven, just leave them overnight and the warmth from the pilot dries them. I also use this method to dry out the beans from my garden before storing. BTW, how is your geography game coming? > Ladies and Gents, PLEASE help. > My ds (age 6) has been so diligent in > up keep for our window sill herb garden. > We've got savory, basil, parsley, marjoram, > dill and chives. They are really growing > and really, really need to be harvested. > How do I dry them? I clipped a bunch > and hung them upside down like a friend > does. This was supposed to dry them > out and make them brittle. Instead they > got really soft and bendable. What should > I do so that we can bottle them? We > haven't measured in Tbsp and tsp yet > and I'd like him to measure something > he actually grew. I can tell him to > add 1/2 tsp. of basil to spaghetti sauce, > for example. Once I harvest these things > will they keep growing? He's been great > not to over water or to forget open > the window shade to let the sun in. > I'd hate to see such a good project > end badly b/c his mom is such a city > girl :) > thanks, Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! AUTHOR: Susan DATE: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 12:05 p.m. Response To: Re: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! Author: Julie Date: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 7:24 a.m. Hi! You can keep the drying herbs from getting dusty by first tying in a budnle, the putting a paper bag around the bundle and tying it closed at the same spot the budle is tied. Then hang this in a dry location. Air will circulate because of the paper bag, but dust will stay out. Don't bother drying parsley--total waste, no flavor. These herbs keep their flavor well when dried: mint, tarragon, dill, thyme, lemon balm, basil, oregano, rosemary.... ======================================== MESSAGE: Hi Ann, it is a fun project for Kids of all ages (even me) AUTHOR: Barb DATE: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 6:25 p.m. Response To: Oooh... hope I haven't missed you, Barb Author: Ann in NC Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 8:10 p.m. > My kids have been excited about > this ever since I mentioned it to them...but > as they start planning it all, I realize > that I haven't a clue what you REALLY > did. How did you set up the waterfall? Well.... we set it up in our den (now classroom) It's trickling right behind me. Nice, I feel like we're in the mountains. > Did you dig out the ground to put the > pool in the ground? That's probably your best way, we talked about it. Our summers are so short here so we voted, to try this in the house. (Alberta Canada) You could do incredible things with it outside. New Conneticate (is that spelled right?) has a much more, 4 seasons type of climate. It's worth your time to go for the below ground idea. Those childrens plastic pools (cheap) will likely hang in for a hundred years. (kidding) How high is the waterfall? Our is about 8" above the the pool side right now. We have to be careful not to flood our bedroom below. Not a problem if you have it outside. Do you have a hose attached to the waterfall? Does the water recycle itself? Etc, etc,etc!!! The little pump doesn't come with the hose. It does come with with adapters. About 12" of plastic hose is all you need. The teeny pump is set into the water and the hose runs, well~~ through the work of art you and the children create. Could you take a few minutes to explain it all to me? I'd love to Ann, this has been, the best home school project we have done this year. The entire neiborhood of children are involved now. They changed the rock formation yesterday and it's much louder. I think the real secret here, is to find rocks. Interesting ones, (boulders?). It's a never ending adventure. The frost is out of our muskeg and dd will likely collect some and add to the scene. Their imaginations are endless Ann, and all I can say is; get yourself the little pump and a plastic baby pool and a whole bunch of wonderful rocks. Flowers and ferns are an added attraction. Go above ground if you want to. Oh, there is a trick; hiding that hose, so nobody can see it. > Thanks so much! > Ann You're welcome Ann. I hope you enjoy this little adventure. I haven't taken a picture yet. Have fun with it, they can learn a bunch and have fun. Wait till the water turn green, and you can have another science situation to solve. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff AUTHOR: Cris DATE: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 7:33 p.m. Response To: Science Stuff Author: Deanne V. Date: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 12:22 p.m. Hi. I just ran across your message, and I had a couple of (hopefully useful) thoughts. While my son is still quite young, my husband is an amateur astronomer and is self taught in many areas of science. What I've seen with him is a reliance on magazines. Two that may not be completely over the head of your daughter, but that may catch her interest are "Scientific American" and "Sky and Telescope". Science moves so fast these days that one almost needs to read the magazines to get information that is up-to-date. You mentioned that your daughter does like to write stories. I also used to write some fiction a few years back, and I know that if one wants to write fiction with an authentic feel, then a lot of research is necessary. If she were to write something along the lines of science fiction, it would need to be realistic, and so she would need to know -at least to some extent- what could be possible scenarios. An island in Alaska -sure sounds wonderful! Cris -in suburban California ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science Stuff AUTHOR: Cerelle DATE: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 10:56 p.m. Response To: Science Stuff Author: Deanne V. Date: Monday, 24 May 1999, at 12:22 p.m. Hi, Deanne-- Your kids sound a whole lot like mine. Love to read those library books, like to skip around from one thing to another, tend to exhaust the available resources in one particular subject for a while and then (sometimes) rediscover it later when they've matured enough to enjoy the "older" books and activities. I do remember times when it seemed like we were falling through the cracks. The younger-level books we'd loved for so long were suddenly "baby-ish," but the adult stuff was too hard (even for me!), and the in-between levels were few and far between. Been there! And yes, in some ways, it does seem to get "harder" as they get older -- in that it's not as easy to answer their questions, not as easy to lead them on to the next thing (because we don't even know what the next thing IS half the time), not as easy to find good materials. But I think what you're experiencing is just the yanks and squeezes of any transition period. The kids are growing up. They're not little guys to whom the world is always all sparkling and new anymore! Our job (as homeschooling parents) gets sort of transitional at this stage, too, I think. More than ever before, we're facilitators more than actual teachers. The older my kids get, the more I feel like a "go-between." I help them get what they need (and you're right -- it's not always all that easy to FIND what they need). Also, you might just be in a doldrums phase. That does happen. And it sort of sounds to me as if you may be worrying a little more than you need to be. I say that simply because it sounds like your kids are really interested in science and already know a lot -- which probably puts them ahead of most of the kids in regular school these days. As far as off-the-wall questions go (I could write a book about this, I think!), have you tried any of the "ask a scientist" sites on the Internet? One of our favorites is the Mad Scientist Network: http://www.madsci.org/ And my son especially loves Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki's website (in Australia), where just about anything goes: http://triplej.abc.net.au/program/karl.htm There are lots of science-y places like this on the 'Net, where the kids can ask questions and talk to real scientists. Hunter and Dr. Karl have become regular penpals this month, and through that connection, Hunter's been writing to a physics teacher here in Texas. I don't know if this is really doing anything concrete right now for his science education, but it's doing wonders for his interest and confidence (and possibly even helping with his writing skills, LOL!). The first time we tried asking one of Hunter's wild science questions on the Internet, Hunter didn't want to do it himself. Either he was too shy or just didn't want to be bothered -- I'm not sure. But it was OK with him if I found a site and typed his question in, which I did. When he got his answer a few days later, he was pretty excited. We printed it up, and he wagged it around all week. The next time I suggested he ask one of his imponderables on the 'Net, he did it himself, and eagerly at that. I figure this is part of my job . . . to walk them into the water at first, and help them get comfortable doing new stuff. After that, they're on their own. The archaeology group really sounds like a neat deal. I hope that works out for you guys. I've had a lot of help with my kids, when it comes to science -- Ariel had her chemistry mentor, Laurel works with a biologist at the museum, and Hunter's already making connections with physics people from all over. Moreover, I'm still learning, myself. I'm thinking that one of these days, I may inch ahead of them in one of these science fields -- for a day or two, anyway. ;-) One last suggestion: If you can't find any good science books on their level at the library, what about biographies of scientists? Could something like that fill in some of the spaces until they grow into more of the adult books? Keep having fun. It's not necessarily hard -- just DIFFERENT. Cerelle ======================================== MESSAGE: More good things coming from Alberta AUTHOR: Ann in NC DATE: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 6:14 a.m. Response To: Hi Ann, it is a fun project for Kids of all ages (even me) Author: Barb Date: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 6:25 p.m. Barb, When I was a little girl living in Ontario, my Aunt Dodie lived in Edmonton, and each Christmas a HUGE box arrived with tons of presents from her. And now I feel as if I'm re-living that experience with your gift of the waterfall idea! Thanks!! Yes, the weather here in North Carolina is great for an outside pond and waterfall. (We're in the southeastern part of the US with hot summers and warm winters.) In fact, that was my problem. People around here have complicated ones in their backyards, and I couldn't imagine it. So now I think we'll start small...I have visions of a gorgeous one in the farthest corner of my hilly yard, that I can see from the kitchen table. But that will involve a lot of hose! So we'll start with a little one on the patio and work from there. I'll let you know when it comes together. Thanks again... Ann > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Geography game AUTHOR: Dawne DATE: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 1:24 p.m. Response To: Re: AAAgghHH, help needed with herbs! Author: Julie Date: Saturday, 29 May 1999, at 7:24 a.m. > BTW, how is your geography game > coming? Well, technically it isn't coming along at all. The game is finished and looks really good except there are NO words on it. It looks like monopoly so that's a good start. I took some suggestions to heart about what kind of questions to ask. I now have a deck of questions and an empty board. I haven't shelved the project, I'm simply waiting for inspiration or more suggestions :0) Can you suggest any pitfalls or spaces where if you land there you have to *go somewhere* or take two steps back? Something to give it more of a feel of a game rather than just a set of questions. Also, I'm thinking of decorating the middle with pics of famous landmarks like the Washington Monument and Taj Mahal. Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: MAKE A PONDSCOPE! AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 3:04 p.m. This lesson developed by U of M Center for Great Lakes and Aquatic Sciences Recommended Ages: Preschool and Elementary Questions: Can I make a pondscope? Oh, what is a pondscope you ask? Read on..... What You Need: 1. A gallon sized tin can or a #10 sized can 2.Black paint 3.Paint Brush 4.Newspaper 5.Clear and large sized plastic bag 6.Scissors 7.Big rubber band or waterproof tape 8.Pond, river, stream or lake What You Do: 1.First, a pondscope is something you can use to look down into water to see critters, green plants, bugs and stuff under the surface! 2.Remove the the lid and bottom of the can. 3.Put newspaper down on an area where you are allowed to paint. 4.Put the can on the newspaper. Paint the inside of the can black. 5.Let the paint dry for a few hours. 6.Cut a piece of plastic from a large plastic bag big enough to go around one end of the can. 7.Place the plastic on an end of the can. Use a rubber band or waterproof tape to keep the clear plastic in place. 8. Go to a pond, river, stream or lake. Wade in and hold your pondviewer with the open side down into the water a few inches. 9.Look through the clear plastic top. You should be able to see what is growing and moving in the water and on the bottom. What Is Happening? Our eyes cannot easily see down into the water of streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. There is often reflection from the sun hitting the surface of the water. The dark bottom of these water bodies also make it hard to see. By using a pondscope, you can more easily look in the water and see what is under the surface! ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Geography game AUTHOR: Julie DATE: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 3:10 p.m. Response To: Re: Geography game Author: Dawne Date: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 1:24 p.m. I've been giving this some thought. I don't know how this will fit in, but if you're dividing the board into different continents, you could have "pitfalls" like getting stuck riding an ornery burro, getting trapped in quicksand or having your camel take a liking to a sand dune or oasis, whatever the continent. You could stop to taste cheese in France, ride on the Erie Canal, watch the changing of the guard in London. All of these could detain you. It even occurred to me that you could visit the Everglades and advance to the next square because an alligator was hot on your tail! You could surf in Hawaii and ride a wave to the next square, too, or travel the Trans-Canada Highway or Siberian railroad. (For that matter, you could be delayed while you thaw out in Siberia!) You could even take a balloon ride across the board (a la going to jail in the real Monopoly set) from one mountain to another. I hope this helps, and that you'll update us on your progress. Hmmm...I may have to go get out the construction paper right now. This sounds like a lot of fun. And since it's officially our last day of "school"... > > Well, technically it isn't coming > along at all. The game is finished and > looks really good except there are NO > words on it. It looks like monopoly > so that's a good start. > I took some suggestions to heart > about what kind of questions to ask. > I now have a deck of questions and an > empty board. I haven't shelved the project, > I'm simply waiting for inspiration or > more suggestions :0) > Can you suggest any pitfalls or > spaces where if you land there you have > to *go somewhere* or take two steps > back? Something to give it more of a > feel of a game rather than just a set > of questions. Also, I'm thinking of > decorating the middle with pics of famous > landmarks like the Washington Monument > and Taj Mahal. Dawne ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Where can I find info on it? AUTHOR: AMH DATE: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 5:40 p.m. Response To: Re: Considering God's Creation Author: Laura in CT Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 7:05 a.m. I have never heard of this before. I would like something at a first/second grade level. Does this require a lot of pre-planning? > > A big difference, from what I understand, > is that the new version sells the notebook > section separately from the teacher > section, whereas the old version had > it all in one (3-hole-punched and perforated) > book (with permission granted to photocopy > for kids in the family). I'm not sure > if the photocopying permissions are > any different, though. > We just got this--the old version, > used--and rather like it. We're not > usually curriculum users, but this seems > to suit our style just fine. We dived > in this week in the plant section, and > the kids are really enjoying it. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Where can I find info on it? AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 5:23 a.m. Response To: Re: Where can I find info on it? Author: AMH Date: Sunday, 30 May 1999, at 5:40 p.m. > I have never heard of this before. > I would like something at a first/second > grade level. Does this require a lot > of pre-planning? Go here: http://www.eagleswingsed.com/ Once you get there scroll towards the bottom and then click on Considering God's Creation. I believe there is even sample lessons there. I think this program is geared for about second grade and up. Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Simple Time Line Suggestion AUTHOR: Mireya in Philadelphia DATE: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 7:58 a.m. Response To: Geography/Timeline Resource Author: Judy Date: Thursday, 20 May 1999, at 3:12 p.m. I have a super simple and cheap suggestion for timelines for young and older children. One year I simply had a 1" binder for each of the kids. We simply drew pictures of the people and events that we came across and labled the page with a caption and the year. They loved putting the pages in sequence. You need a three hole punch. We started with the creation of the world and ended with self-portraits. Family members and family events were also included. This is like the Book of Centuries. Older children can add more information and maps. In the course of the year we had lots of pages. It was enjoyable to see the book grow. Mostly we put in what we read about in our history, science and literature studies. There's always something past or present to put in, during the course of a week. Lastly, the book can keep growing year after year. Mireya in Phila. > Hi! I'd like to recommend an awesome > resource for history/geography studies > and timelines. > I got "The Ultimate Geography > and Timeline Guide" by Maggie Hogan > and Cindy Wiggers through Rainbow Resource. > I think it's around $35. (Grades K-12) > In the back are two sections called > "Timeline Trekkin" and "Tools > for the Time Traveler" and it has > tons of reproducible timeline figures, > along with a "Book of Centuries"-type > notebook form and a "Who Am I" > game to play with your timeline. > I can't begin to tell you how much > information is in just these two sections. > Directions and ideas for building different > types of timelines (file cards, wall-strips, > poster, notebook), ideas for color-coding, > symbols to use for different ideas, > etc... > The timeline figures in this book > are contained in small squares (2" > x 2", 20 per page). There's a small > picture in the center of a person (mostly > computer clip-art pics, b/w), place, > map, object, etc. There's a coded border > around the square that tells "when" > an event took place (middle ages, enlightenment, > etc.). The year(s) and a short title > for the card is printed on it. Then > there's an icon/symbol that tells what"--like > science, wars/battles, exploration and > discovery, governments, people, etc.. > At the bottom of the page of squares, > there's an instruction like "print > this sheet in YELLOW or color the borders > in yellow! These events occurred in > AFRICA." > A few of the timeline figures are > hand-drawn pencil sketches and aren't > quite as visually appealing to me. Some > of the clip-art figures are not as clear > as others. But, they also strongly recommend > the children make their own cards. You > could trace or scan the card, delete/erase > the portions you don't want and add > your own. They give ideas for adding > your family history to the timeline, > etc.... > Anyway, this is just the last two > chapters of this 300+ pg book! There > are TONS of things in here--games, outline > maps, activities, short fact files for > each continent with map-it activities, > geography across the curriculum.... > even a unit study using "Hans Brinker, > or the Silver Skates". > Definitely a keeper!! > Judy > Rainbow Resource http://www.rainbowresource.com/ > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: debbie DATE: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 8:52 a.m. Response To: Re: Considering God's Creation Author: Beth Date: Thursday, 27 May 1999, at 1:28 p.m. I recently purchased the new version and have a question. Do you take the pages out of the student workbook or just cut out the "cut and paste" items and glue them right back on the pages still in the workbook? I hope that makes sense. I guess what I mean is, when you are all through, will it be in the cover I purchased or should it be put in a 3 ring binder. Thanks. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Fun, (under$20) cheap and it's science AUTHOR: Mireya in Philadelphia DATE: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 12:14 p.m. Response To: Fun, (under$20) cheap and it's science Author: Barb Date: Saturday, 22 May 1999, at 4:58 p.m. Barb, Your excellent post has brought to mind something that I saw at an ecology day event. Here's another way to put that bio pump to work. Visualize a narrow table with dimentions of about 12'long by 2'wide with sides. A trash can at one end holds water and a pump. A hose travels from the trash can to the other end of the table. Water begins here. There is a hole that drains the water into the trash can. The table is slightly slanted so that water runs toward the trash can. The table is full of sand. The purpose of this table is to observe, the flow of water, erosion, floods, etc. The kids enjoyed building the stream bed with a trowel and flooding it and adding rocks and vegetation. Smaller tables could be constructed with scrunged materials. This reminded me lots of making mud pies long ago. Mireya Taylor > We just finished building ourselves > a pond. We purchased a $9 water pump > (bio flow from Walmart) and a tiny plastic > childrens pool for $7. > We searched for awesome rocks and > constructed a waterfall. The possibilities > are endless. Children are thrilled with > their creation. Our older kids are having > fun re-constructing the flow . They're > bringing their friends over for input. > (socialization) Some of the rocks (big) > have fools gold in them. Chemistry kicked > in when the water turned green.(why'd > that happen?) Clorine cleared up that > problem. Lots of discussions are happening. > Now everyone (kids of all ages) wants > to home school because, learning is > so much fun. When dd (10) and I started > this we did do it in a formal (school) > way. It was hey, lets build a waterfall, > the rest just followed. Home school > children lack in socialization they > say? BAAAA------HUMBUG, that is not > true. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Considering God's Creation AUTHOR: Lisa Lowe DATE: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 2:31 p.m. Response To: Re: Considering God's Creation Author: debbie Date: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 8:52 a.m. It will be in a three ring binder. > I recently purchased the new version > and have a question. Do you take the > pages out of the student workbook or > just cut out the "cut and paste" > items and glue them right back on the > pages still in the workbook? I hope > that makes sense. I guess what I mean > is, when you are all through, will it > be in the cover I purchased or should > it be put in a 3 ring binder. Thanks. > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Geography is essential! AUTHOR: Dawne DATE: Monday, 31 May 1999, at 7:34 p.m. Response To: Re: Geography is essential! (a good resource) Author: Giovanna Date: Friday, 28 May 1999, at 5:55 p.m. Giovanna , You are so right about the need for Geography in every curriculum. One of the most amazing college courses I had was Cultural Geo. I found it fascinating how physical geo. influences culture and how natural resources, and not only money, are the true root of all evil. Or at least the root of conflict and war, the haves and have nots. ======================================== End of DigestBack to the TopBack to the Digest Index