Week 32- Field Trip!

 The highlight of this week was another field trip to the Salt Lake Area.  

Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life

Clark's Planetarium

For PE, we got in some good snowshoeing before and after the trip. My kids learned some snow science by observing what a difference a week (and some rain) makes in snow pack conditions. Monday it was snowing with powder, then we got rain and by Saturday the trail was closer to a sheet of ice. Perfect for sledding.

Week 31

Science- We set up a science project with a few seeds to answer one of the kids' stay curious questions. They know if you put food coloring into the water of a white carnation, the flower will start to change into that color. So they asked- What happens if you put food coloring into the soil where seeds are planted?

Stay tuned to find out. 

We also set up an experiment with apples to answer the question- Which method best prevents apple oxidation? For the experiment we used one Red Delicious apple peeled and cored.

We had a control group where we did nothing to the apple slices, a set of apple slices soaked in 1 cup water plus 1 tsp lemon juice then rinsed, apple sliced soaked in 1 cup water plus 1 tsp salt then rinsed, lastly, we had a few slices left in a cup of room temperature water. The kids already knew what method I preferred to use so they had a good hypothesis of what would work best...at least when apple slices are refrigerated. For this experiment, we left them all out on the counter. Top left-plain, top right-lemon juice, bottom left-water, bottom right-salt water.

10 mins

1 hour

24 hours

Conclusion- by the end, all the apples were looking a little brown and only the apples sitting in water were still crispy. So if you're going to cut apples and leave them sitting out, stick them in water. However, if the apples had been refrigerated, the results would have been slightly different. We have kept apples soaked in salt water, then rinsed, a good color and crisp in the fridge for over 24 hours. It is also the preferred way if you are traveling, as it keeps the apples fresh without the mess of water.   

Other Classes:

Tech- coding

PE- tag with friends

Social Studies- icivics, government crash course

Math- J did ratios and angles. A finished a review and started learning money addition.

LA-  Abbreviations, conjunction, commas (part one), and the kids polished their opinion pieces. Final drafts published below.

A's: 

Blue

Did you know blue is the favorite color of most people? Blue is the best color because it’s the color of the clear sky. It is also the color of water and I love swimming. Also, when water turns to ice, it appears blue! Another reason blue is a great color, is blue is the color of my eyes. In conclusion, blue is beautiful, which is why it is my favorite color.

J's

Cats Make Wonderful Pets

Did you know that cats have been household pets since ancient Egypt? It’s true! I think cats make excellent pets.

I think cats are adorable. For example, they purr and can have many fur colors. Another reason is that their fur can make unique patterns.

I think kittens are entertaining. For example, they do little tricks to catch a toy, sometimes bolt through the house, and sometimes jump at nothing.

In my opinion, cats are intelligent. I think this because they know how to catch mice, have their own language and are clean. For example, they bathe themselves and poop in a litter box instead of spreading it all over like a dog.

In conclusion, if you’re looking to get a pet, you should look into getting a cat. They are cute, energetic, and smart. If this sounds like a good pet for you, adopt one at your local animal shelter.

All About K and A2

We played Perfection- K is so good at matching shapes. 

And built a tower out of some of our food storage. (Who says you can't play with your food?)

We also did a lesson on apples. Did you know if you cut and apple in half around its middle (like an equator), you get a star? 

Week 30

When you can make a snow angel in the driveway (that you shoveled clear the night before)

PE- We should count shoveling snow as our work out! The kids mainly romped in the snow (which is a work out, too) and we did an indoor obstacle course. The kids also invented a game where they blew up a balloon and used pool noodles that had been cut in half, to keep it in the air.

Math- J learned ratios and A learned skip counting forward and backwards by 5's and 10's.

LA-Opinion writing

Social Studies- icivics and Government Crash Course

Tech- Coding.org and Kiwico Crate- this month is was circus themed. 

Science- Learning about animals from books and Wild Kratts. Their stay curious question of the week was, "What was the first animal to be kept as a pet?" As far as we can tell, it was the dog, which is believe to be the first domesticated species as well.

The kids were delighted to find sugar candy in the bottom of the syrup bottle. So we learned about how sugar crystals are formed and how to prevent them from growing in things like homemade syrup in the future.

More Science/Tech was all this kids in town were invited to make and race pinewood derby cars.

J made a cat bus and A made a dragon car. They both did extremely well in the racing, which is surprising since J's was literally designed to be a bus. J took first in every race, except the first time when they raced her car backwards. In that case, she got second and A's car, who happened to be in the same heat, took first. His car had a crash in the second heat when the car next to his had its wheels fly off.  They didn't re-race that run, so it was a third place then and the race after. But a little adjustment to the wheels and he took first in his final race. 

J won the award for "Most Improved" but really it was the award for standing closest to the stage when the organizers realized they had one more award to give away. We'll  enjoy it anyway.

All About K and A2

Painting

Stickers

And Kinetic Sand

Week 29

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16

Had a great geology lesson while traveling.

This month's responsibility is the responsibility for our gifts and talents. J watched a video on how to speed read faster and A is focusing on learning the piano.

Math- J learned area of a triangle and A learned basic multiplication and division of 4's.

LA- They have grown bored with Nightzookeper and Starfall so we are now focusing on reading and writing our own stories. One day we had a large read-a-thon.

Science- After watching Wild Kratts they created their own colorful macaw and told about what it looks like, acts like, eat and where is lives.

PE- Swimming in an indoor pool

Social Studies- J has a lot of fun playing games on icivics. She played Win the White House- a game where you campaign to be president. She played as both a demorcat and republican to learn about what each party generally values. She also explored the Bill of Rights through a simulated court system in the game "Do I have a Right?" By the end of the week A even had played a few games. 

Exploring Tech- Typing, Legos, Coding

All About K and A2

The joy the two youngest are focusing on this month is the joy of obedience and decisions. We're pretty good and giving them lots of choices. This week they did good working on obedience. It's so fun to see them do many good things on their own as well. They are very good at sharing with each other and A2 enjoys copying me as she learns about the importance of keeping the home clean.

They chose to do stamps as their fine motor activity. 

Thanks Grandpa E who found these at a second hand store for us.

Week 28

 As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him.

-Marvin J. Ashton

Exploring Technology- Kiwi Crate Paleontology

Social Studies- J studied the judicial branch. For fun we watched the original 12 Angry Men. Fun fact, all but 3 minutes of the movie was filmed in one 16x24 room.

J also explored a little about presidential campaigning on icivics.org We just learned they have a new elementary unit helping kids to think like historians.  

Math- J did a review and A has been working on adding and subtracting multiple digits.

Science- Canyon Country Discovery Center

PE- Toss and catch, tag, bouldering

Arts and Crafts- Making Valentine boxes and book marks.

"A" also created Minecraft art on the white board

LA- More with the apostrophe- possessive nouns. And learned when to use "a" vs "an".

Stay Curious- Was is the most recent animal to go extinct that we know of?

We couldn't find a definite answer, but last year multiple types of frogs, fish, and snails were declared extinct. Panda.org estimates around 200-2000 species go extinct every year. 

Javan Rhino is one of the closest mammals to extinction with only 60-75 known rhinos left.

All About K and A2

Played in sand.

The cat joined us for bubbles.

We also played toss and catch.

A2 got more fine motor in by decorating her box with every sticker she could get a hold of.

Week 27

 

You are always responsible for how you act, no matter how you feel.

― Robert Tew 

It’s okay to have a hard day.

I’ve got what it takes.

I can breathe deep to calm my mind and body.

When I fall, I will get back up and try again.

I’m the boss of my brain and body.

Exploring Tech- Crunch Labs Boomerang Car

Math- J has been studying fractions. We made a fraction pizza.  If bacon is on 1/2 of the pizza and pineapple is on 3/4, how much of the pizza is bacon and pineapple?

LA- Vocabulary, spelling, lots of reading, and learning about contractions as well as its vs it's and your vs you're.

Health- Bacteria and Viruses. The five senses. Oral health. 

Science- A trip to Canyon Country Discover Center to do space activities with Dad.

PE- Keep the balloon in the air game and bouldering.

Social Studies- Crash Course Government. For fun, we watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Arts and Crafts- Melting beads and pipe cleaner bubble wands in Craft Club.

Bonus- Last fall our MyTechHigh teacher told us about Hygge- basically it means coziness and doing things that bring a sense of contentment and well being. Our fall and Christmas seasons are naturally warm and full of many pleasant things like fun treats, harvest, lights, and good smells. However, after the magic of the holidays has faded away, and warm days are more of a memory, I knew we could use a little more intentional coziness. Every day we made an extra effort to play a fun game, watch a movie, or have a special treat.  

All About K and A2

"A" has been incredibly helpful with this month's joy of imagination. He helped K and A2 get packed for a "camping trip", they trekked outside and spent the "night" in a "tent" (aka-boys' bedroom). It has been so fun watching them imagine and create together.

For sensory/OT we created sensory balloons. We filled one pair of balloons with flour and another pair with dried beans. Salt, sugar, rice, and other small objects, like beads, are alternatives.

A2 got a hold of the scissors and refined her fine motor skills.