Homeschool Sticky Note Science
Sticky notes can motivate your kinesthetic child to learn science concepts in your homeschool. Try out these ideas.
~Create a Periodic Table using a different color sticky note for each column on the table. Have your child write the symbols for each of the elements on individual sticky notes. You can even expect your child to write the atomic mass of the element on the sticky. Then each of the sticky notes needs to be placed on the wall in order to construct the table. Another time you can scramble up those sticky notes and have your child reconstruct the table based on the color coding and atomic mass of each element. Ask questions and discuss the similarities of the elements in the same columns. “Are they liquids or gases?” “Are they colorless?” Are they reactive or non reactive?”
~Have your child use sticky notes to show the life cycles of different animals. Have your child draw a picture of each stage in the cycle and label it on individual stickies. You can then post different life cycles on the same wall in order to compare them and make conclusions.
~Be a weather tracker! Laminate a map of the US and post it. Use different color flag stickies for the various kinds of weather and write that information on a key on the map. Each day have your child record the weather forecast by placing the correct color flag in the different regions of the country (Midwest, North East, etc.). Your child can even be the meteorologist and give the weather report to you each day. As you collect data, make observations about weather patterns that occur and discuss.
There are many other ways that you can use sticky notes to learn science, too. I hope this gets you started!
Photo courtesy of General Wesc
Filed under Educational Strategies, Science | Comment (0)Other Ways of Using Puppets in Your Homeschool
In the past I have written about the benefits of using puppets in your homeschool to encourage literacy. Here are a few other ideas for how you can use puppets to motivate your children and encourage learning in your homeschool.
~A puppet can help your younger child to develop language skills. Young children love puppets and are often willing to open up to them. Take advantage of this and have your child and tell the puppet stories. Ask your child probing questions to encourage more developed ideas.
~Your child can teach a puppet something you’ve recently learned about. For example, have your child explain a process in math or science to the puppet. The puppet can ask questions in order to encourage your child to add details to the explanation. This is a great way to assess your child’s understanding.
~If you are studying a particular historical time period, have your child make puppets that reflect the dress of the time. Then have your child create and perform a puppet show that includes historically accurate details. Music and art can be woven into the the performance as appropriate. Or your child could make puppets of a certain historical figure and have that puppet engage with the audience in character.
Try using puppets in your homeschool.
Photos courtesy of Wendy Piersall (@eMom)
Filed under Art, Educational Strategies, Math, Science, Social Studies | Comment (0)Have a Heart this Valentine’s Day
As you know, Valentine’s Day is on the horizon. It is another holiday that is loaded with candy and excitement for the kids. But this is a perfect opportunity to make science fun and turn this holiday into a chance to learn about the heart and circulation. I found a great song for you to use in your homeschool.
Filed under Science | Comment (0)Snowflakes for ‘Tweens and Teens
I have more ideas for learning about snowflakes in your homeschool. Your ‘tween and teen might be interested in these ideas.
~Did you know that shape of a snowflake is determined by the temperature outside? About.com has answers to questions that are most commonly asked about snow.
~Try this experiment with your high schooler: Make a Crystalline Model.
~You can also make a Borax snowflake with older children.
~Watch this time elapsed snowflake-video to see a snowflake grow. The website, Physical Review Focus, where this video appears, also has more information about snowflakes. The information is appropriate for teens.
Enjoy learning more about the snow with your ‘tween and teen!
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Snowflakes Are Falling In Your Homeschool
It is the middle of the winter, and most places have plenty of snow. Learn about snowflakes this month in your homeschool.
~Wilson Bentley is famous for photographing snowflakes. He successfully photographed his first snowflake on January 15, 1885. Try researching his work and life. Watch this informative video about his life. It starts out told in the first person.
-There is a Snowflake Bentley website where you can find out more about his life. There are also copies of his photographs posted there.
-Read the following books to research Bentley’s life:
Snowflake Bentley (Caldecott Medal Book)
The Snowflake Man: A Biography of Wilson A. Bentley
My Brother Loved Snowflakes: The Story of Wilson A. Bentley, the Snowflake Man
~Learn about snowflakes. Go to the Cal Tech website for host of information.
-Read the following books to research snowflakes:
Ken Libbrecht’s Field Guide to Snowflakes
The Snowflake : A Water Cycle Story
-Observe snowflakes. How Stuff Works has a great lesson plan for this science experiment.
~Make snowflakes in various artistic ways. These books can help:
Make Your Own Paper Snowflakes
Easy Tatting (Dover Needlework Series)
~At ProTeacher you can find a few math activities related to a snow theme. My two favorites are:
-Have a snowball fight. Write a math fact on a piece of white paper and crumple it up in a ball. Make a whole pile of these. Throw your “snowballs” at each other for a specified time. Then everyone takes turns reading the math facts out loud. Repeat.
-Use shaving cream on a table or desk as your snow. Have your child write in the shaving cream. Write math facts or draw shapes. Recite a number such as one hundred forty five and have your child write it in the shaving cream – 145.
Photos, Snowflake-024 & Snowflake-009, courtesy of yellowcloud
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