A Science Kid Experiment: Freezing and Melting
Click here to view these pictures larger
When it comes to Homeschooling it is necessary to admit your strengths and weaknesses. I am not strong in math, and while science is interesting, I am not that great when it comes to that either. However, I am creative and I love to learn- two traits that helps significantly when it comes to creating lessons and activities to do with my 4 year old. It also helps to have resources like Sid the Science Kid, a PBS show focusing on science exploration and research. The lesson/activity that follows was inspired by the Frozen Fruit investigation episode. This is a four day exploratory activity.
What We will Learn: What are the reversible changes of melting and freezing? How do different liquids change when they are frozen and melted?
Materials Needed Day 1:
- 1 ice cube tray
- pitcher or cups of water
- Exploration Notebook (we use a wire bound cork sketch book)
- vocabulary sheet
- crayons and pencils
Materials Day 2:
- Everything from above
- a bowl
- 4-6 different liquids (we used milk, juice, olive oil, olive oil and water, bubbles)
- Hot water
Day One
- Explore the concept of “LIQUID” and examine the water in the containers or cups.
- “ “When something is in liquid form, it takes on the shape of its container. Water is a liquid.”
- Allow child to draw ice trays, water in container, etc. in Exploration notebook.
- Help child pour water into the ice tray. You do not have to fill them. If you want, add fruit to each as done by Sid’s teacher.
- Allow child to draw what he/she observes.
- Put ice tray in the freezer and ask child what he/she predicts will happen.
Day Two
- Pull the ice tray out of the freezer and allow child… Continue reading
Destination: homeschooling
If you haven’t figured it out by now, we are homeschooling our daughter who will be four at the end of this month. While I enjoy the one-on-one lessons, I do realize that she needs to be around other children her age. And I need other adults who are doing what I am doing. I searched for weeks to find one that would welcome us and not make us feel awkward. I did find a few groups on Yahoo but noticed that they were massive groups covering a rather large area. As a homeschooler relatively close to NYC, I wanted one that would have regular meet-ups and activities so that my daughter could be around more children her age.
Well, like most of my friends would expect, when I couldn’t find an all-inclusive group servicing my area I decided to create one. Introducing the Lower Westchester, NY Homeschooling Co-op. LoWest is a an group for homeschooling families living south of White Plains, NY. The goal is to unite us in a group with one focus- educating our children in an low-stress environment while fostering a love of learning. We will plan trips, activities, and even classes that will allow our children to learn in the way that is best suited for them.
In addition, I also created the NYS Secular Homeschoolers Club. I love the idea of homeschooling but I dislike the isolation that one can feel when homeschooling for reasons not shared by the majority of homeschooling families. My husband and I are atheist which makes it very hard to find a homeschooling group. We approach education from a non-religious standpoint and while I know that we are not in the majority, I do know that there are others like us out there. Unfortunately, other than… Continue reading