Anyone who reads my blog with any regularity knows that I am a huge proponent of hands-on learning. it is truly how real learning takes place. As students put projects together, create crafts, or use familiar materials in new ways, they're constructing meaning. "Kids learn through all their senses," says Ben Mardell, PhD, a researcher with Project Zero at Harvard University, "and they like to touch and manipulate things." But more than simply moving materials around, hands-on activities activate kids' brains. According to Cindy Middendorf, educational consultant and author of The Scholastic Differentiated Instruction Plan Book (Scholastic, 2009), between the ages of four and seven, the right side of the brain is developing and learning comes easily through visual and spatial activities. The left hemisphere of the brain—the side that's involved in more analytical and language skills—develops later, around ages 10 and 11. When you combine activities that require movement, talking, and listening, it activates multiple areas of the brain. "The more parts of your brain you use, the more likely you are to retain information," says Judy Dodge, author of 25 Quick Formative Assessments for a Differentiated Classroom (Scholastic, 2009). "If you're only listening, you're only activating one part of the brain," she says, "but if you're drawing and explaining to a peer, then you're making connections in the brain."
This is definitely what Susan Killeride had in mind when writing this book. It consists of twenty lessons-- ten for students ages 4 through 7 and ten for children ages 8 to 13. Both sets of lessons cover the topics of physical, earth and life sciences.
The 20 unit studies are:
Our Senses
The Human Body
Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
Animals
Insects and their Kin
Fun with Magnets
Stars and Planets
Health (taking care of your body)
Beginning Plants
Animal Ecology
Insects
Microscopes and Invisible Creatures
Atoms and Molecules
Matter
Chemistry Fun
Weather
Force and Motion
Simple Machines
Light and Color
Plants 2
Answers to Tests and Worksheets
As a busy homeschool mom, I have to say that I truly appreciated that each unit beFgins with a materials list. It made it quite easy to plan and local the items ahead of doing the experiment(s). I also love the fact that the book was written by a homeschool mom (with a degree in Biology!) for homeschool moms. It is easy to understand and follow and is written in layman's terminology.
I am a history nerd. I took advanced science in school because it was required not because I had any real desire to do so. A book like this makes learning (and teaching!) science fun. Perhaps this could inspire my kids to want to take more science someday.
This 201 page book is available for only $16.95 and will provide you with the peace of mind that you indeed now have what is takes to teach a great deal of science while simultaneously allowing your children to thrive in a hands-on environment that will have them asking for more.
Why not see it yourself? Here are links to pages that have two free PDF units from the book:
The photo below is Kiddo #3 with the plants (hopefully soon to be flowers) that grew from the sunflower seeds that he planted. Our entire garden this year, in fact, was started from seed. What a great learning (and eating!) experience it has been. You can see Kiddo #4 with one of our home-grown cucumbers.
For Microscopes and Invisible Creatures, we went to our local nature center and were able to use small containers to pull some water from the pond. Boy, were the Kiddos surprised when we looked under the microscope at what looked like "clear" water:
We are really looking forward to doing more of the units in this book as our new school year begins. Keep checking back here. I'm sure to blog all about our adventures.
This history nerd was elated to be selected to do this review. And, this dramatization based on the novel by G.A. Henty did not disappoint!
This CD is radio theater at its best-- with every realistic sound and dramatic effect to grab the listener and place them smack in the middle of the action. I think an audio format is a brilliant idea, especially in this day and age when so many have lost their sense of imagination and creativity due to watching things always unfold on a screen. The listener of the radio theater must use his/her imagination to envision what they are hearing. The amazing acoustics coupled with a talented cast made this something extraordinary. Sean Astin of the Lord of the Rings and Kirk Cameron lead the cast. You can read about the entire cast here. The soundtrack was composed by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell of Narnia fame.
The package I received included the 2-disc set and bonuses: a digital study guide, a printable poster and a quote by Robert E. Lee, an MP3 download of the official soundtrack and the complete e-book.
The Study Guide is an amazing bonus! Included in its 48 pages are questions, assignments, a map of the famous cities and battlefields mentioned in the story, Bible studies on duty and loving your enemy and biographies of Lee, G.A. Henty and Stonewall Jackson. Each part of the story is broken down into three sections in the study guide:
Listening Well- these questions can be answered simply by listening to the audio.
Thinking Further- these questions are a bit more challenging and require skills such as drawing conclusions or predicting someone's actions or thoughts in a situation.
Defining Words-This section gives the student the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and define some words in the audio that they might not have understood.
The CD is over 2 hours of action and adventure packed audio that is appropriate for your entire family. It is filled with valor, determination, courage, character building and virtue. In addition to that action and adventure, this CD covers the human story of war and it is quite touching in many parts of the story. It is also ironically very timely, as our nation today is grappling with the issue of states rights vs. federal government authority.
The story if about 15 year old Vincent Wingfield who enlists in the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia. He has the opportunity to meet great leaders like Lee and Jackson. He witnesses first hand the unwavering and steadfast faith of General Lee and becomes able to reconcile his support for the rights of slaves with the need to fight for the south in the 'War Between the States.' I especially loved the moral lessons that kids (and all of us, for that matter) can take away from this production and apply in their own lives. For example, the protagonist in the story learns to rely on God and others to see him through. He shows genuine compassion and friendship and proves himself to be trustworthy and loyal.
Check out this brief video about the production
This drama not only is entertainment at its best, but it is engaging and thought-provoking. The Christian themes are encouraging and the content is educational-- you will learn things you never did in school and will have discussions with your children about very important topics for days after you are done listening.
I could not have asked for more!
Links to social media for Heirloom Audio Productions:
There is so much to do and see here in Southeastern Pennsylvania! Are you looking for a good day trip or coming to the area for a visit? Here are some trips that we have taken. Many have little or no cost involved!
There is the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology in Philadelphia. What a gem!!! Read all about our visit here.
The Wings of Freedom Aviation museum asks for a donation only. There is SO much history, including Amelia Earhart breaking a record right there in Horsham. Read all about it here.
The Peter Wentz Farmstead was President Washington's headquarters during the Battle of Germantown. So many hands-on activities and a working farm, too! Read about it here.
The Three Arches historic home, originally built by the steward of William Penn just recently celebrated it's 300th anniversary. Read my post here.
Of course, what trip to this area would be complete without visiting historic Philadelphia? This post talks about the Liberty Bell, Franklin Court, Independence Hall and the Mint. All free of charge!
Graeme Park is another wonderful field trip opportunity. Dr. Graeme was a respected doctor, justice on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and port physician for colonial Philadelphia. The mansion and grounds are open year round, but they also offer a homeschool day that we have enjoyed every year. You can read it about here.
If you are visiting Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute science museum is a must-see! Read about our visit here.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Lancaster County, PA is a game and activity filled outdoor extravaganza. They are open May-October. Read about it here.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show held each January in Harrisburg, PA is a free event that is sure to please everyone on your list. If it is not the animals, or activities, it will definitely be all of the food! Read about it here.
Crystal Cave is not only beautiful and breaktaking, but quite educational, too! See all of the details and stunning photos here.
Lake Nockamixon State Park is lovely and filled with many things to do such as going on a pontoon boat ride. Check it out here.
There is so much to do and see in Hershey, PA. Many people don't know about the museum called the Hershey Story. It not only tells of the extraordinary life of Milton Hershey, there are lots of hands-on things to do like make your own chocolate. Read about it here.
We have also visited Pottsgrove Manor, (a 1752 mansion and estate) where the kids did all kinds of activities including cooking, dipping candles, crafts and more. It was only $2 per person.
The Philadelphia International Airport offers FREE tours (on the tarmac!). Look at the photo below, we were actually THAT close to a jet that has just come in for a landing.
The Philadelphia Zoo has some new and incredible exhibits where the animals are actually walking over you!
Valley Forge is a must see for any freedom-loving American.
Again, completely free.
I mentioned Hershey, PA above for the museum, but of course, there is Chocolate World. Fun and Chocolate! And, Chocolate World is free to enter.
If you have sports fans, you can tour the sports arenas, including Citizens Bank Park where the Philadelphia Phillies play
These are just some of the things to do and see in Southeastern PA! It is a treasure trove of field trip opportunities, that's for sure. If you come to the area, I hope you enjoy. :-)
I got this recipe from Jan at Tip Garden some time ago and just was able to try it out! :-) She always shares the BEST recipes.
Ingredients
1 pre-made pantry kit (see below)
1 pound ground beef or turkey
2 1/2 cups hot water
1 cup brown rice
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
Tortilla chips (optional)
Pre-made Pantry kit (great to have this made in advance, so you can just grab it and be ready to go!)
In a gallon sized ziploc bag, place one can of diced tomatoes and 1 cup of uncooked instant brown rice. Set aside. In a sandwich-sized bag, mix sauce packet: 3 tablespoons dry milk, 1 tablespoon corn starch, 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning (click here for my homemade taco seasoning), 1 teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder and sugar. Label sauce packet and place inside gallon bag with the tomatoes and rice. Label gallon sized bag and attach this recipe for future use)
Directions
Brown ground beef. Drain. Add hot water and contents from pantry kit. (diced tomatoes, rice and sauce packet) Stir together and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is cooked. In the last few minutes of cook time, stir in cheese. Cover the pan for the final few minutes of cook time. When rice is done and cheese is melted, let mixture stand uncovered for about 5 minutes before serving. This will help thicken the sauce.
