Homeschool Activities

 The past few months between science and nature study, we've been doing some fun experiments and observations.

In science, the big girls dissected a flower, but we enjoyed the others from the bouquet in our vase.

My Grandma sent us a packet of souvenirs from Ireland that we enjoyed with our lessons on St. Patrick's Day.

We have had an uptick in doctor's visits since March, it seems.  Since I knew we would be rushed one of our days, I took some pictures of tree stumps while I was walking around a park during William's karate.  Their favorite was the heart shaped one, though we had to use a rounder one to follow the guide.  

Another project was to grow some mushrooms.  They required daily watering and then they just exploded in size! We put the decaying project near and old stump in our backyard, maybe they'll be able to expand into a new home. = )

For yet another project, we had to collect pond water.  The day we went there was a layer of ice on top of the pond that we had to break through just to get the water from below.  Once it melted, we were able to start our experiment.

From the literature that we read, we expected the bone meal to explode, and the rest to be hampered, but we think Alice added a little too much, so it didn't grow and it started to smell like rotten fish. = (  

The vinegar, soap and detergent all killed off anything that might have grown, so our control actually did the best.

We've since moved the bone meal outside, and are watching as small organisms are appearing in our control.  Also, we got to use some of the control water for another experiment during which we put a drop and viewed it through a microscope. = )

Yet another experiment was to grow bacteria.  We were unable to maintain as warm enough environment as the directions indicated, but we still had some gross growth!  Emily's purple popper had the fastest growth, so you'd better believe we sprayed that thing down with lysol as soon as we saw the strongest of the bacteria appear.

8ish days in:

2ish weeks in:

We threw them all away after we took this picture, because it was just too gross.

With only 7 weeks left in our school year, we still have a few more projects to which we are looking foward.

And I want to record that we've decided that the three little ones will return to public school in the fall.  It will be William's final year at the elementary school, and we don't want him to be thrown into middle school before reestablishing some of his friendships.  The big girls will continue to be homeschooled for the time being.

later days

March 17th, Self-imposed Social Distancing, Day 4, School at home day 2

The high today was 47F.  The morning was cloudy and gloomy, but it turned into a sunny, warmish day.

Last night I set out some seasonal treats for my crew.

Our school lessons were underway before the regular school day, and today Billy also started from home.

At 10:30 we went on a walk.  Members of our community colored shamrocks and put them on display in their windows.  We only found one coloring (and a few other that may or may not have been part of the hunt.)

We called it our "morning recess" and came back in, had grilled cheese for lunch and went back to work. = )

By the time 'afternoon recess' rolled around it was sunny, but still cold outside.

For dinner we had freezer meals and green beer in honor of St. Patrick's day, since we were not able to go to our traditional Buffalo Wild Wings. Since all restaurant dining rooms (by the order of the  county, state, country(?)) are currently closed, there would have been no green beer.

After dinner we played some Legos, William continued to work at a snail's pace on his assignments. Then, Emily, Grace, Juliet and I watched the Zoo Safari's video of porcupine Ricco running his obstacle course, at least for a bit.

The weather was nice enough that the kids played in the yard for a good chunk of the afternoon, which always makes them so happy (and sleep much better at night!)

Gearing up and setting up for another school day at home tomorrow!

later days

St. Patrick's Day

This year St. Patrick's day fell on a Sunday. My mom bought green hats for each of the kids.   Everyone wore green. 

Our, ridiculous, silly, nonsensical family tradition is to go to buffalo wild wings for lunch and have their green beer.  When we got there, they didn't have the dye = ( so we were going to leave.  Apparently our car wanted us to eat there though, and refused to start.

There are worse place to be stranded I suppose.  My mom came to our rescue, after they towed away our car.  (Thank goodness for AAA.)

The car now starts up great, but we sent it back in later in the week for some other less pressing work to be done, and it is still at the garage. = /  Luckily, we have the loaner, so we are not down a car. = )

later days