Adventures and Explorations in Summer of Science: Double addition!

and Explorations!

Have you ever wondered what to do with a rainy afternoon and a passel of kids?  Of course you have!  What mom hasn't?!  I combined our science and exploration 'curriculum' yesterday because our next assignment in Science wasn't possible (water experiments on a cold day are not as fun as water experiments on a warm day... sorry to all you out there 'suffering' in the heat but it just wasn't warm enough here for water activities yesterday!)

When I first looked through our science curriculum I noticed a focus on observation.  I guess that makes sense with a title like "Developing Critical Thinking"!  The experiments are intended more for understanding the process than the outcome itself.  I like this because observing is a critical part in the ownership of understanding.

With this in mind we completed Exploration #9 in our "How to be an Explorer" book.  We made a miniature museum!

However, drawing the science aspect in, I gave them a focus instead of the random nature from our "Explorer" book. (As fun as that would be... I wanted to hit two birds with one stone!)  My aim was to teach them to stretch their brains to consider category and how broad or narrow a focus that can be.

We started with a discussion on observation and categorizing our observations.  We observed the similarities in seemingly different items.  We tapped our brains to consider previously unconsidered aspects of every day objects.  It was wonderful to hear their replies...

... especially when we discussed how things can be similar.

Then came the "assignment"...

... I had them pick a theme.  We had an example:  animals.  It could be mini animals (we have a ton of them!), what animals eat, pictures of animals and where they live, animal feces (we do have rabbit pellets... I know, gross, the kids thought so too!) and so on.  I explained how a museum would have a variety of these items to reflect the one theme in all its forms.

They picked:

The museum of toys.

... which mysteriously transformed into the museum of cat toys overnight!

The "Museum of Wonders" aka Legos.  That would be Brenden and we would expect no less!

Ashley's "Museum of Words" had high aspirations until she got distracted with fiddling around in photoshop on the computer.  (She didn't get to play on the computer today!)  It had a good start, though.  She was being creative and thinking outside of the obvious.  If I hadn't been in a "meeting" during the afternoon I would have helped her develop her idea even more.

I will admit, I felt like less of a failure as a homeschooling mom after this project, but I do wish I had come up alongside them a bit more directly... not given answers, just pointed in directions to find the answers as they learn how to do these things themselves!

Next week we expect upper 80 degree weather... water experiments here we come!  I hope to do our exploration of color as well :-)  God willing of course!  (James 4:13-17)

May you have many wonderful explorations this next week!

Blessings,

I don't have a linky toy, but feel free to comment and share links to your summer adventures and projects!  If I get enough suggestions, I would be glad to turn this into a linky though! 

Summer of Science: week 1

It has begun!  Summer vacation may be 3 weeks old, but our Summer of Science has (finally) officially begun!  Every Thursday I will share our journeys through science this summer.

This is the book we are (loosely) using to inspire the kids to THINK.  But not just think... think scientifically.  I hope to use Book Two in Brenden and Brooke's science curriculum this next school year.  Book One is a good start for learning how to observe, experiment, observe, classify, observe, think, and did I mention observe?  You get the idea!

We started this week by discussing what observation is.  The kids and I collected some 'lost things' on a walk Tuesday which we then spread out to observe.

We discussed how there are different ways to observe (senses and implements).  I also pointed out that what looks plain or obvious at first glance, may not always be so when you get a closer look. 

Neighbor kids and cousins had toppled by when we began.  One young man (7 exactly!) was not very impressed that we seemed to be doing 'school work'!  However, as everyone else around the table used magnifiers to observe the obvious and find the interesting, he too was captivated and the only complaint was whose turn it was to use the high-power magnifier!

All-in-all our first installment of S.o.S. (Summer of Science) was a raving success!  If you would like to conduct your own S.o.S, it is simple.  Start with what you have!  If you would like to duplicate our adventures, here is what we did:

- We took a walk!  You don't have to, but it is so much more fun!  We carried plastic grocery bags and collected things.  I reminded the kids that not all things seem interesting at first, don't collect based on interest!  Just collect!  With younger children you may need to set perimeters so they aren't picking up yucky stuff!  With ages 8-13 I was able to say, "Don't pick up anything that can go in someone's mouth" and "If you aren't sure, ask me before you pick anything up".  That worked well ;-)

Example of some things collected:  leaves, sticks, broken plastic, fire cracker paper, pen, bottle caps and flower petals.

- Set up a table with magnifying glasses (we had cheep ones and they worked great) and, if you have it, a microscope and/or other high power magnifier.  I also had some pre-made slides from an old microscope set.  The kids loved these as much as their other finds!

 -  Ask leading questions to spark their interest and curiosity, then hang on and be ready for the ride.  It is amazing the things they will notice and think to look at (not just on the table) like toe nails, shirt hems and the inside of the pet's ears!  Be ready to look too, act interested, it inspires them.

-  Most important step:  have fun!

If you have any great science activities to share or a science blog to mention, please feel free to share in the comments section below!  I would love to see what science you are doing this summer!

Next week we use our observation skills to explore WATER!  Join us!

Blessings for lots of summer fun!