Because Learning Should Be FUN!

Welcome to Beginning Physics! Today's physics word is Velocity. We learned 2 things that create velocity in order for the kite to fly....

1. Wind!

2. Running!

Even baby got a chance to fly a kite! He did a great job! We had a fun day learning in the sun. :)

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Yesterday was a beautiful October day! The sun was shining and it felt like summer was lingering on. We went to Waikiki Beach to enjoy the day.

 

Quiet Reflections

Run for your life!

The waves are coming!

The waves got me!!!

If only we could step back and see the world through a child's eyes!

Freedom!

I love his stance in this one, it is like he is ready to take on the world! No fear! Just brave determination as he awaits the incoming foe.

Let's go fly a kite....

...up to the highest height!

Baby's first kite flying!

 

The Science of Solidification

The kids were excited when they found the popsicle containers. I decided it was a learning opportunity. 

First, I had them choose what liquids they wanted to turn into popsicles.

Bria had a little too much fun pouring hers! Oopsie!

After pouring the liquid, I asked the kids how we could turn it into a popsicle. Child Hypothesis 1: If we put ice in it, then the ice will make it cold and it will turn into a popsicle.

Hmmm...

Well THAT didn't work!

But, it still tastes good!!!

Hypothesis 2: Putting the liquid into a cold environment (the coldest freezer) will cause the water molecules to slow down and expand, therefore solidifying the liquid, and creating a popsicle! Conclusion: A success!!!

C is for Caterpillar! (and Cocoon!)

A lot of what we have been learning for science has been based off of seeing the science in real life! My motto is "Life IS learning!" We were just hanging out at the beach when we found a very fuzzy caterpillar! So...he became our science project! Crazy enough, we found him during the week that we were learning about the letter C! How cool is that??? 

This is an Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar, in case anyone is curious. The kids and I had to hunt through tons of caterpillar pictures to identify it!...amazingly, while we were looking through caterpillar pictures, Elijah pointed to one and said, "That is a Monarch Caterpillar"....He was right! Apparently, this was knowledge gained from watching an episode of "Little Einsteins". I love learning based shows for kids!

This is phase 2 of our science project. The cocoon! Metamorphosis is such an amazing process and we are excited to get to see it first hand! Hopefully, we will be able to get some good pictures of phase 3 before he flies off! To be continued... 

Baby's First Tooth!

Hyrum got his first tooth! He decided to be different and get his top right tooth first. I think it looks absolutely adorable!!! What a cutie boy!

Leaves Are FALLing All Around!

I love Fall! I love the feeling of that slight crisp in the air that reminds you that the holidays are coming! I love sweaters and all the beautiful colors- rusty reds, oranges, and browns. I love the crunch sound that leaves make as you walk across the now covered grass. I love slowing down, and settling in to a cozy home, after the busy and playful summer months.

So, to celebrate the coming of Fall, we did an art project. First, we went outside and talked about the seasons and especially Fall. Then, we walked around identifying all the new colors of leaves. Next, we picked out our favorite leaves! Then, came the fun part- making a picture with the leaves....

    This is the giraffe that I made. I really loved the yellow leaves with brown spots because they reminded me of giraffes. :)

Memphis loved my giraffes and decided he wanted to do an animal theme too! He ended up with these birds flying in the sky.

When we were looking for leaves outside, Elijah decided the leaves were Mario character hats. He wanted one for each character and found one for: Mario, Luigi, and Wario. I love that his art reflects what he loves! I also love that he took a lot of time and drew the Mario characters in his picture.

Bria just had fun gluing leaves on her paper! This final art piece is way different than the first one she made because she kept gluing leaves, then taking them off, then gluing more! I'm glad she had fun exploring. These are the little ways that toddlers learn. 

Happy Fall!!!

 

Our Homeschool Adventure!

We have decided to take on the great adventure (and responsibility) of homeschooling our children. So far the journey has been rewarding! It has been full of experiences I doubt Elijah would have gotten learning in a classroom, public school environment. I have personally loved being his teacher. He is an A+ student so far! He is bright and gets so excited about learning! And I love that he begged me to be his teacher----how can you say no to that??? So, here is the beginning of our adventure...

Welcome to Biology 101

 



 Today we are learning about tree frogs.

Memphis' observation: "They are sticky!!!"

Frogs can swim very well!

We learned about their environment as we made a small replica environment to keep him in temporarily.

We even went bug catching in order to put food in the environment.

We talked about the story of the frog prince.

But, our frog, was just a frog, afterall!