Chemistry Labs, Week 6

This week the kids performed two science experiments:

• Experiment 3.2 - Electrical Conductivity of Compounds Dissolved in Water
• MicroChem Lab 3 - Electrical Conductivity of Several Solutions

The wire initially emanated bubbles, but after a few minutes the copper started turning into copper sulfate - CuSO4.

Personal challenge - groceries

How is it that I can spend so much time researching and planning curriculum, but not have the same enthusiasm when it comes to purchasing household items like groceries? I take my time to research and find the absolute best curriculum for my kids. I try to save by purchasing what I can used or second hand. When purchasing new items I check for free or discounted shipping codes. But, somehow I don't take the time to use grocery coupons. Ugh...

I've got to become a better shopper. I'm already on a fairly tight budget, but there is always room for improvement. Especially if I start using coupons on a regular basis, shop using local sale papers, and take advantage of the Walgreen's "game". In other words, I know what I could or should be doing, but just haven't taken time for.

So this is my personal challenge for myself, to see how much I can save if I put a little effort into it. Learning the ins and outs of the savings game reminds me of how confusing and overwhelming it was when I first started looking at homeschool curriculum. But, somehow I worked my way through all of the information and came up with a plan that, for the most part, works well for our family. I need to do the same with my household purchases.

I plan on keeping an expense log to track my savings and post my results. I'm excited to see how it adds up and how much I can save by the end of the year.

30 Hour Famine

David is participating in a 30 hour famine with his youth group. They will be done this evening around 5 pm. He was able to raise $180 in donations for World Vision.

In order to prepare for this, he read a book about Biblical fasting and fasted earlier this week from Sunday evening through Tuesday. I think it was quite a bit harder than he thought it would be. He really wanted to fast all week, but just couldn't do it. I believe this was a great experience for him and that he will be much more prepared for it next year.

Tapestry of Grace Year 3, Week 6

Tapestry of Grace Year 3, Week 6: Madison and the War of 1812

Key Facts:

1. James Madison

a. 4th President of the United States; "Father of the Constitution"

b. Dolley Madison

c. Second Bank of United States chartered

2. War of 1812

a. Key events and causes

b. Battles

c. Treaty of Ghent

3. Chief Tecumseh

a. Shawnee Indian tribe; brother, Tenskwatawa - Shawnee Prophet

b. Tippecanoe

c. Indian confederacy - Native union against western settlers

4. Francis Scott Key

a. Strongly opposed War of 1812; However served briefly in Georgetown field artillery in 1813.

b. Observed bombardment of Fort McHenry

c. Poem: Defense of Fort McHenry, renamed The Star Spangled Banner / national anthem 1931.

Activities: American flag etiquette

Geography: War of 1812 battle maps

Unit Projects: Add information about James Madison to the display board.

Digging Deeper:

• William Wilberforce
• Democracy in America
  

Videos:

• Restoring the home of President James Madison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30kR0CvmQGQ
• James Madison: The Father of the Constitution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuTj1BFc0jI&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Hh8W69cos
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In8ehVBhFCQ&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2sXXwIEhsQ&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmN0NA0pRs0&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P4oubQHCVY&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxmjD8KAl7s&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN-ldd5lYmU&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjl10p7EQ1k&feature=related
• First Invasion War of 1812 Part 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHfuZ1X-z3k&feature=related
• History of the Star Spangled Banner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKfw8nysLA&feature=related

Reading:

• Wilberforce: An Activity Book
• The War of 1812: Second Fight for Independence
• Our Flag Was Still There
• The Great Little Madison
• Our Country's Presidents

Week 9 Review

We have made it half way through our first semester. Yeah!

My oldest son David is working well independently (for the most part) and is currently busy getting ready for the PSAT.

In addition to his regular studies this semester, David has been active in our local Co-op with a political science class, homeschool band practice, electric bass lessons, chemistry lab group, church youth group and volunteering with True Adventure Sports. After this weekend he will probably have around 40 volunteer hours for this school year. He also completed a rappel basics course and received his drivers license. Thank goodness he can drive now, because his schedule is becoming increasingly hard to keep up with.

Nathan and Ryan have been involved with a science class with our local Co-op group, 4-H club, piano/violin lessons, Sunday school, field trips, plus plenty of free time to play and explore. Ryan also completed a kids triathlon.

I've been brainstorming this week, trying to figure out how to teach, while encouraging my younger boys to put forth their best effort (the first time), learn/work more independently, and trying to keep it some what fun. Apparently, that's a tall order. So, this is what I've come up with for the next term:

• 3 weeks on our regular schedule
• 3 weeks using a unit study/project style schedule
• 3 weeks on our regular schedule

I'm hoping this combination will work well for us. Of course, I might continue to tweak it as we go along. We will just have to see how it works out.

Chemistry Labs, Week 5

This week the kids completed the lab for experiment 3.1:
The Conservation of Mass ~ mixing vinegar and purple cabbage juice (chemical reaction #1), then added lye (chemical reaction #2). The second reaction also created heat. The kids really liked this experiment.

Additional resources: Periodic Table Song (CD), also http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html

Whats for dinner?

I hate that question! I have a tendency to cook the same meals over and over and get into a rut. So, I branched out and tried a new recipe last night.

After browsing through the recipes on Foodnetwork, I happened upon one from Ina's collection that looked really good - the Perfect Roast Chicken. Yum... and I already had all of the ingredients on hand. I ended up cooking two smallish (4 lb.) chickens instead of one, because I wanted plenty of leftovers. The house smelled wonderful and the chicken did in fact turn out perfect and juicy. My boys all loved this dish (even my picky eaters), so I will definitely be using this recipe again!



Click on the picture for the recipe.