Although I believe that hands on learning, is the best way for a child to learn in their early years, I have to be very honest with you and admit that I'm not the greatest at getting around to science experiments or arts and crafts. In fact, if I don't write it down as something to do, it probably won't get done! That's why I'm so thankful that Jenna has creative genes which means she initiates a lot of her own creative activities. But sometimes I get inspired and things happen spontaneously.....well, as spontaneous as I can be! :-)
I showed you these books recently on a previous post. They are Science read-alouds which read like a story. These are books in their Level Two series. In this level there is an added bonus: simple experiments are added to reinforce the learning that happened while reading the book. I'm learning to go with the flow more ;-) so when we read something in a book that suggests we can do a practical application, I jump up and gather the items together...........before the inspired moment fades away!
And this one was very easy to gather together.
(Just add a torch and a dark room too!)
The whole idea behind the experiment was to show how the one side of the moon always faces earth and the different phases of the moon.
Draw a circle around the orange.
On one half, add a cross.
Stick in the kebab stick.
Grab a torch and close the curtains in the room.
One person is the sun (holding the torch).
The person holding the orange (moon) is the earth.
Hold the moon above your head (earth) with the cross always facing towards you
and move around in a circle on the spot.
The sun shines their light directly onto the orange, also while standing still in one spot.
And that is how I finally understood about the phases of the moon and how it is possible that we see only one side of the moon.
{I'm not sure if Mikey learnt anything, but he did have great fun with the torch.
And Jenna, well, she's far cleverer than her mom, she had understood the phases of the moon already and tells me just when they're about to happen when we're doing our calendar time. But who said this home schooling thing was only for the children anyway?!}
And just to impress you some more.....I even planned to do some experiments!
As we've also been learning about the phases of water we did a few experiments with water.
Pour a little water into an ice tray,
explain a little about the term liquid (runny stuff)
and predict what will happen when a liquid
goes into the freezer......
add food colouring,
stir it up a little and place it in the freezer.
Once it hardens take it out and explain the term solid.
Then take the ice blocks out and allow them to melt together becoming a liquid again.
Added bonus: A colour mixing lesson.
But that was a simple one-probably something they knew already as they love playing with ice so much and had recently had a wonderful hail experience!
So I planned for another one!
Do all liquids mix together?
Add a little juice to water-what happens?
What will happen if I add oil to water?
It's going to mix Mommy!
Aaaah, just wait and see....
Stir it up....and look what happens!
Wow! It floats!!!
Not all liquid mixes together.... but wait there's more.
What if you add a little dishwashing liquid?
It turns green?
It's gone!
It's mixed together!!!
And then of course my little scientists have to take it one step further....
What happens if we mix them all together?
Oily juice!!!
Proof that both spontaneity and planning can make great home schooling moments!
Ok, I've learnt my lesson(s)....
how about you?
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