Water Cycle...

*Warning: my children appear naked but are really not- I promise!

When we were studying the water cycle as part of our weather unit, we decided to try our own experiment. We put ice in a strainer over boiling water and observed the different states of water going through the different stages in the water cycle. They had to use their clipboards to draw what they saw.

Experiments are irreplaceable when teaching science. Nothing can teach them facts about God's great creation like actually seeing how He designed it in action. Plus, they're downright fun!

We watched the show and read the book the Magic School Bus Wet All Over. I am a huge Mrs. Frizzle fan! I joked with my husband that I need an outfit made out of felt. Then every time we start a new study I could cut out different felt shapes to go with the study. Then I could attach them to my outfit and jump out at the kids just like Mrs. Frizzle. How cool would that be???

I saw this great idea of printing out words on a label maker that the kids could just stick in the right place. I know there is a place for writing practice, but if I had expected my kindergartner to spell words like condensation and evaporation in about 10 different places the fun of the experiment would've bogged down in spelling/writing drama. They loved the labels and it helped everything go much smoother.

This was an extremely simple experiment but so fun and really stuck with the kids.

Volcano Grand Finale...

After studying volcanoes we were ready for the grand finale: making our own volcano. Even Will and Wesley were anxiously awaiting the big moment...
Jackson got a kit last Christmas and we finally got around to making the plaster volcano.However, the tablets it came with to mix with club soda for your volcano were a D-U-D! It barely came out over the top. The kids were very disappointed, and by "kids" I mean my husband! Of course, he took it as a challenge and set off to find a way to make a big eruption. Armed with baking soda and lemon juice he and the kids set to work. I love the look of excitement on Ashton's face...

I left them to their problem solving and went upstairs to get ready for my Bible study. I heard hysterical laughter and screaming and came to investigate. They had made a huge eruption and were all 3 covered with lemony baking soda! Of course, they had to do it again for me!

I just wish Jackson enjoyed science...

Even Wesley is saying, "Whoa!"

For a man who wasn't too sure about this homeschooling thing at first, he has totally embraced it (or as I believe: God has changed his heart!) and has become a great science/PE teacher and principal combo! Even though the experiment didn't work out the first time he truly taught them the real scientific process of problem-solving and trying again, and again and again!