Mrs. D the Science Lady

Ok, so science is totally NOT my strong suit. It is a struggle for me to be motivated to do science projects. Although I know the kids love them and it is so good to help our studies comes to life, it is hard to do and I don't understand it as easy as, say, Math.

So, this  project kinda sat on the books for a week or so, before we made it happen! ELECTRO-MAGNETS!

After learning all about how to measure and wiring from the non-helpful people at Ace Hardware, we headed home to strip the installation off the wire (a challenge without the expensive wire stripper tool!). We wrapped the wire around a nail and connected the wire to both ends of a battery and WA LA - an electro-magnet! Our magnet could pick up at least one paperclip (more if we would've had a bigger nail).

It was a fun and relatively easy experiment. It was the culmination of our magnetism unit. Now, onto machines! Wish me luck...

Vanishing Points...

I know, I'm not what you think of when you think "Del Rosario Art Teacher", yet here I was this week teaching my first art lesson! Fernando has been extremely busy at work and so, with his guidance, I planned art based on Raphael and his depth of field.

We read a book about the history of Raphael's life and work. We looked at his art for the depth vs. that of other artists in his time. Then, I found this great video (Thanks Pinterest!) about depth and vanishing points. It was a step-by-step art lesson using a vanishing point, inspired by the Carlsbad Flower Fields, which we've actually been to! We used oil pastels. It was a great lesson and very fun! And, may even inspire me to try again (although I hope Fernando can keep working with the kids too!)

Earth Layers Cake

In Science these past few weeks, we have breezed through the Earth Sciences section, opting for more projects than worksheets. We have done a poster project on Mountains around the world, made a board game about earth's surface, made crystal rock candy, written cloud poems, made clouds out of dryer lint, and collaged wind storms. But, the most popular activity so far was the Earth Layer Cake! Made from 2 types of ice cream, M&M's, peanuts, graham crackers, butter and sugar - it took us 3 days to make and even more days to eat! We simulated the inner core, outer core, mantle and crust and every layer was delicious!

Safari Park Field Trip

We had a great time at the Safari Park last Friday (in 90 degree heat! Seriously, it's early March!). I had prepared a worksheet for the kids to work on while we were there - it was a school day after all. I actually had gotten the information off the Safari Park website, recommended questions for 4th graders. It was all about animal senses - which they use and how well they use them. We quickly threw those questions out the window when we noticed that the park signs has NO INFORMATION on it and the Park volunteers and employees couldn't answer Sophia's question: Which sense do you think is the best sense of the Lemur?

So, we ditched the work and had a fun day! We did learn that:

1. Zebras are black with white stripes (black skin underneath to protect from sunburn).
2. Giraffes have an inch of tongue for every foot they are tall. And their tongues are purple to protect from the sun.
3. The Binturong, or Bear Cat, is related to a mongoose.
4. Tigers want to eat service dogs.
5. Baby gorillas have strong grip to hold onto Momma Gorilla's back.
6. Lemurs have a good sense of eyesight. Oh, wait, smell. Or maybe nothing at all.

 

Going where no man has gone before...

We are starting our science unit on the Solar System this week. Brandon has been waiting for this section all year. It is his favorite! I'm also pretty excited because we are doing a more focused study on planets this year and I have some good non-text book activities to work on.

Over a year ago, I bought a solar system puzzle with planet-shaped pieces. The kids are working on that this week and next. I LOVE puzzles, so it is taking all my self control to not work on it too!

I also am excited to take them to the Columbia Space Center - we've never been there before and I think they might have some cool things for us to take a look at!

But, to kick things off, Sophia BEGGED to re-do the OREO lunar models that they did in 3rd grade. So, we tested their memory on the moon...

It was definitely more about the OREOs than the moon, but it was fun and yummy!

Frog Dissection (Warning: Photos Included!)

So, we have good news/bad news. First the bad news, did you hear that one of our fire-bellied toads died? It was an accident, I swear! We moved them into a container for their cricket feeding and one never made it back out alive. It was sad. (And gross!) I think he choked on a cricket...

In any case, Brandon's idea (not mine!) - let's dissect it! So, since everyone was ok with the idea of dissecting the frog, we froze him and set the plan in motion for a day that I WAS NOT GOING TO BE HOME! Oh yes, I can do a lot of things, but dissect a frog is not one of them.

Fernando and the kids did a great job learning about how to properly dissect a frog. He was much smaller than a normal frog you would dissect, but they were able to identify many parts. (I'll spare you the gross cut-open photos!)

Can you guess from the photos who loved it and who didn't? Sophia may be a budding surgeon for all the dissecting she did. She was so fascinated, that she asked Santa for a model of a dog's anatomy for Christmas! (Seeing Santa's face trying to register what the h*ll she was asking for was priceless! HAHA!) 

Brandon, on the other hand, peeked at the process a few times, but spent most of the project shielding the other frog's view so he wouldn't have to see what was happening to his friend. That's our sensitive soul!

And yes, I was the sucker who felt bad for the lonely toad and bought him a new friend last week. If another one dies, I'll be putting on a neighborhood dissection so everyone can come check it out!

1st world problems

As Fernando would say, I have first world problems: I have educational funds to spend and I don't know how to spend them!

Each year, our kids are given an educational fund account that I can use to buy books/materials for them. I use most of it for music lessons, since I can't teach that.

The school emailed me this last week to let me know that I have to spend the remaining amount of money before February 27th! All of my 4th grade money by then! So, in an effort to not repeat what happened last year (ordered in July, received in October!), I'd like to order my 5th grade materials now. This presents a whole host of questions that need to be answered:

• Will we homeschool next year?
• What materials that we used last year do we like and want to continue with?
• What new materials do we want to try?
• How much will all the 5th grade curriculum cost?
• How much will be left over once I buy all the 5th grade stuff?
• What do I spend that money on now? (It's a use it or lose it kinda thing)
• Should I order office supplies? Where is the cheapest approved vendor that has the stuff I want? What stuff do I even need? Is my current organizational system sufficient for 2nd year homeschooling? Is there anything that I want to do different?
• What cool science kits can I order to help us through the rest of the year? What are we even studying in science for the rest of the year?
• Are there any classes that I should use the money for? More piano classes? Horseback riding? Performing Arts - can I make Sophia's performing arts place a homeschool vendor?

So, you can see that my head is exploding! I am moving forward with the thought that we are homeschooling next year, but I have tasked Fernando with talking to each of the kids individually about the option. Their opinions will help determine our decision. I'm worried that they would not want to hurt my feelings and be honest if they do have any negative feelings, so I'll put the task on him. They may feel more comfortable talking to him, but I think we're a go! We'll keep you updated...