Next year we will be doing a US presidents study before we begin our logic stage modern history studies. I figure it's a perfect time given the fact that we will soon be watching a slew of political ads and debates leading up to the 2016 presidential elections. My original plan was to do something similar to what we did for our US State Study during the grammar stage years. But after some … [Read more...]
T-Shirt Chromatography
One of the few experiments I remember doing in high school was t-shirt chromatography. I can still picture the coffee cans and sharpies all lined up and ready to go in my mind. We spend the whole class period making the shirts and I wore mine until it faded and basically fell apart. So today, I’m going to do you a favor. I’m going to share just how to do this activity with your … [Read more...]
How to write a science fair abstract in 3 easy steps
You have worked for over a month researching, developing, and performing your science fair project. Your board is all ready to go. Your talk is prepared. But as you look at the science fair requirements you read the following: Your entry information should include your name and age along with the title of your project and an abstract limited to a maximum of 250 words. 250 words! How … [Read more...]
You might be a homeschool scientist if . . .
I love science and we homeschool, so I like to consider myself a homeschool scientist. As we step into the new year, I thought that I would share with you twenty ways you can use to determine whether or not you are a homeschool scientist. These may or may not have come from real life experiences, but I will not admit to any specifics. So, here we go! You might be a homeschool scientist … [Read more...]
3 Christmas Science Activities
Christmas is almost upon us! The scent of pine mingled with peppermint is wafting through the air in homes around the country. The trees are trimmed, the icicle lights adorn the porch, and the gifts are wrapped – well maybe not quite yet. . . I don’t know about you and your kids, but at our house we love Christmas morning. We have a big breakfast full of once-a-year treats. We open … [Read more...]
What should middle school science look like?
I was researching for one of the programs I am working on and ran across this statement from the National Science Teacher's Association: The middle school years, grades 5 through 9, are a time of tremendous physical, emotional, and cognitive changes for students. It also is a pivotal time in their understanding of and enthusiasm for science. Research has shown that if educators don’t capture … [Read more...]