Molly's Science Lessons

We're trying to find more hands-on activities for Molly this semester. First, we put tempera paint into zip-lock bags, and she was able to draw on them with Q-tips and mix colors. Norah enjoyed this activity as well! Next, we did a quick experiment about germs and the benefit of soap. We placed about 1 tbsp of pepper into a container. Then, we put a drop of soap on Molly's finger. When she dipped her finger gently into the pepper-water, the pepper quickly scattered to the edge of the container. All the girls had to try this experiment - it was fun. They even made the pepper dance!

Molly has been busy as a bee learning about how bees communicate through dancing and what the hexagon cells inside the hive are used for - not just honey! When it warms up, we will go to Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and see the live bees and hive on display. She put together a lapbook which displayed all of the facts she learned about the bees.

We also learned about the metamorphosis of Monarch butterflies. We discovered that they feed almost exclusively on milkweed, and in late July/early August, we should be able to find some tiny monarch caterpillars out in the fields. We'll capture a few and watch them turn into beautiful Monarch butterflies! To end our study, Molly and Norah painted caterpillars (egg cartons).

To go along with Amelya's plant study, we watched blue and yellow dye travel up stalks of celery. This showed us how nutrients and water in the soil get from the roots to the leaves of the plant.

Amelya's Science Lessons

We've discovered that science texts typically repeat the same themes from year-to-year, while adding more interesting and complex details about each topic. So, we have returned to studying the characteristics of plants and animals, as well as what is required for the growth and reproduction of both. We needed to go to botanical gardens...alas, difficult in Illinois in the middle of winter! We settled for a trip to a local nursery which happened to have a little pond with fish -- they made a good effort trying to get things to look "natural!"

We also did a little experiment to watch how a plant can move...it's leaves turned towards the sunlight over the course of a week.

Lastly, we went to the zoo, again, on a COLD winter day, to see some animals. We saw wolves, cougars, owls, turkey's, alligators, spiders, snakes, lizards and gazelle. Plus, we got to hang out with some fun homeschool friends.

Literature Lessons

This year, we decided to put some of Amelya's grammar and writing lessons to work in a more creative way. We used a series called Shakespeare Can Be Fun! which introduces 2nd and 3rd graders to the themes of Shakespeare. Ameya was tasked to assume the role of some of the characters and write journal entries, letters, newspaper articles and poems. She also created artwork depicting various scenes from the plays.

We began the study with A Child's Portrait of Shakespeare, and Amelya learned about the Bard's life. Next, we moved onto Twelfth Night. Her final project was a "character love map" which charted the changing relationships of the characters throughout the play. Last, we studied A Midsummer Night's Dream. For her final project, she made a fairy out of pipe cleaners (it looked much better in my head!)!

After Shakespeare, we read The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. This study involved more vocabulary and less writing (we determined my lesson plans for Shakespeare were a little too jam packed with writing projects which made it difficult to complete proper story webs, rough drafts and final drafts in the time I alloted). However, it did focus on teaching kindess and compassion for those different from us. For her final project, Amelya created a dress of her own and wrote a sequel to the story.

Now, we're back to formal writing and grammar lessons, so there won't be any pictures...although Amelya continues to write great "books" and stories for fun in her free time!

More History Lessons

After completing our cunieform writings, it was time to move on to ancient Chinese pictograms. The girls tried their hands at creating their own language using pictures instead of words.

By putting dried beans, rice, and dry noodles onto paper plates and then gluing two plates together, the girls made African musical instruments (it got a little LOUD after they dried!). Then, with a little glue and white bread, we made a monument to Thutmose (ancient Egypt).

We also made Pita bread - it tasted great for the first 24 hours!