Matter I: Its Particulate Nature (BFSU A-4)

In lesson A-2, he learned that all matter occupies space and has weight.  In this lesson, he learned that it also has a particulate nature, which is just a fancy way of saying that it's made of tiny bits or particles.


--We experimented with breaking matter into particles:

• sprayed water and air freshener from a spray bottles (liquid), 

• blew through a straw into soapy water & noticed the tiny air bubbles (gas),

• dissolved clay in water & noticed the cloudiness (solid),

• filed a piece of wood (solid).

"The fundamental particles of a given substance are the same. A larger lump of clay, for example, doesn't contain larger clay particles; it only contains more of them." (BFSU, Vol. 1, p.59)

 
--We read the book Matter by Sally Walker and did an experiment that proved some liquids are more dense than others (which means their molecules are more tightly packed, making them heavier).  We started by adding 1/4 cup vegetable oil, then 1/4 cup dish soap, then 1/4 cup water with red food coloring.  Then Gerrick decided to add other miscellaneous liquids.  Of all he used, maple syrup is definitely the most dense.

 

--Using these resources, we reviewed what makes the difference between a substance being a solid, liquid, or gas:
• particle attraction in phases of matter,
• microscopic view of states of matter, 
• states of matter interactive simulation.


--He made this page for his science notebook:

--We also made and played with our own oobleck (a la Bartholomew and the Oobleck) and watched this video in which it is explained by physicists.  Oobleck is a liquid that temporarily changes into a solid when pressure is applied!

(You can see more of our BFSU-inspired science activities here.)

Concepts of Energy II: Kinetic & Potential Energy (BFSU C-3)

--He read aloud the simple book Energy in Motion.

--We watched the following short video: 




--We discussed that all forms of energy are either kinetic or potential.  Using a file folder, we combined the information from  this chart (printed in landscape) and this printable to make a reference flap book for his science notebook.

--We watched this Frenetic Kinetics video and I pinned this site with other videos for him to explore later if he wants: 




--After watching the above video, he told me that it was kind of like Amazing Alex (an app he'd seen advertised while playing Angry Birds).  I checked it out, and he was right!  So I downloaded it to the iPod for him.


--We walked to the playground and identified things with potential and kinetic energy.

--Later, we watched teams build kinetic sculptures in Design Squad Nation: Blowin' in the Wind (Ep. 111). 


(You can find more of our BFSU-inspired activities here.)

Seven Snippets (8.26.12)

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This week Gerrick learned how to make all-purpose cleaner:  

2 cups water, 2 tsp castile soap, 20 drops essential oil.

We keep a spray bottle of this in the kitchen and in each bathroom.

-2-

Out of the blue on Monday, he decided to write a letter to a friend.  This was a really big deal, as he never writes anything!  He asked me how to spell every single word, and of course, in return, I asked him how he thought they were spelled.  He surprised both of us by spelling the majority correctly!  He said, "This isn't as challenging as I thought it would be.  This is fun!"

He was thrilled to get a response from his friend in Saturday's mail, and sat down immediately to write him another letter.  This happened as I was walking out the door to go to a party, so Rick helped him with spelling this time, and he was also surprised by how well he can spell.  

-3-

We spent some time in the creek.

-4-

On Wednesday he told me that he'd decided to make a comic book.  I told him I had seen blank comic book pages on pinterest and that I could print some for him if he wanted.  He was interested, so I found the link on my creative kids board and showed him.  He liked them! 

-5-

He enjoyed playing at the natural playground at the Warner Park Nature Center.

-6-

 

 We went to the LEGO store where he built the free summer mini model.

-7-

Lord Vader is overseeing the destruction happening behind our house as work is being done to expand the subdivision.   I took this photo from our patio as rock was blasted with dynamite.  This happened to tie in nicely with Friday's lessons about energy.

Have a great week!

Concepts of Energy I: Making Things Go (BFSU C-1)

It's been a long time since we've done any science activities inspired by Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding.  I'm excited to be jumping back into our science plans this year, beginning with lesson C-1.


--He read aloud the book Energy Makes Things Happen. 

--He made Shake Jar Art (Science Arts, p.70), thinking about the energy needed to move the paint.

--We read this online tutorial to make sure we have a solid understanding of what energy is.  Energy is the ability to do work.  It cannot be created or destroyed.


--We discussed the basics of six forms of energy using this online tutorial as a springboard. I went a little deeper than BFSU does at this point since this is a K-2 book and Gerrick is 8.5 and quite capable.  He then copied the graphic from the tutorial for his science notebook.

--We discussed how energy can be stored and later released. We jumped on the trampoline and pondered how the springs and our bodies transfer energy back and forth.  We also conveniently got to see/hear some dynamite explosions behind our house this week thanks to expansion of the subdivision.
         

--We used the Energy Flows game as an aid in thinking about how energy changes from one form to another.
   

--I read aloud the book Fossil Fuels.

 
--We explored The Blobz Guide to Electric Circuits interactive tutorial, then did projects #1 and #2 from his Electronics Snap Circuits kit.  (He had done them before, but he was happy to build them again and explain them to me.  He went on to experiment independently for quite some time.) 


 
--We watched...
Schoolhouse Rock: The Energy Blues,
Schoolhouse Rock: Electricity,  
Bill Nye on Energy, 
and a few of the videos linked at NeoK12: Energy Sources.  


(You can find more of our BFSU activities here.)


This post will be linked at Science Sunday.

Creek Play

Seven Snippets (8.19.12)

-1- 

He spotted these awesome clouds from our backyard, and we enjoyed watching them just before a rainstorm hit. The only other outdoor activities we did this week were swimming at our friends' pool, the Friday "Not Back to School" lake gathering, a quick visit with the piggies when picking up our CSA share Saturday, and a couple of neighborhood walks (Gerrick and Rick).  These were fun, but I think we both are feeling the (negative) effects of not really getting out in nature much.  Note to self: must rectify this now that it is no longer oppressively hot here!

-2-

Rick and I want Gerrick to be very familiar with addition facts, so we have recently asked him to increase his practice by doing a round of XtraMath daily (vs. 3-4 times a week).  He didn't like this one bit.  Though he does want to know them, he is irritated by how long it is taking him to learn them and he doesn't like being timed. He has now successfully negotiated doing XtraMath on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and doing Math Fact Master on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  He says that Math Fact Master still helps him learn but doesn't stress him as much because it isn't as rushed.

-3-

We got some good stuff from Ms. B's Used Books this week.
We only spent $10.23 after using our trade credit!

-4-

He brought these hoops home from the birthday party he went to last weekend.  I don't know how I haven't gotten a photo of him playing with them, but he loves them!

-5-

He surprised me with this drawing of a hummingbird.  

Anyone remember back when I had concerns about his lack of drawing?

-6-

 

We rearranged our main living and learning space and turned our dining table into a double desk.  We no longer have a kitchen table, but that's okay.  We're eating around the kitchen island until we can save up for another one.

-7-

This is Gerrick's half of the table. He saw this Sniffle Hut in an issue of Family Fun magazine and was determined to have one.  Once we procured a 12-can carton from a friend, he had Rick make it for him.  He's been taking his time decorating, and it's still a work in progress.

Have a great week!

Seven Snippets (8.12.12)

-1- 

He's learning how to refill the foaming hand soap pumps with Dr. Bronner's, a squirt of glycerin, and water.

-2-

He painted this "patriotic rock" to take to history club this week.  It was an optional assignment to earn extra gamma gold (points used to buy things in the store). 

-3-

His first day of speech therapy went very well.  He was excited to go and Ms. Jamie said that he did great--almost instantly getting the first two sounds she covered.

-4-

Harry Potter has inspired him to play chess more.  He plays with Rick, but desperately wants to teach me how to play, as well.   Unfortunately, I have absolutely no desire to learn.

-5-

We finished the first Harry Potter book and watched the movie. Gerrick gives the book 5 stars and the movie 2.5 stars.

 

This week, I also finished reading aloud A Child's History of the World , and Gerrick finished the book he's been reading about crows.  He gives them both 5 stars.

-6-

Inspired by our fraction lessons, Gerrick made a mouse named George for the mouse hole he'd made on his bedroom baseboard a while back.

-7-

We spent Friday afternoon at the "Not Back to School" lake gathering, and Gerrick went to a birthday party Saturday afternoon.

Have a great week!

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Linking at:   

 Weekly Wrap-Up