Science Report

Well yesterday we did your science project of slime. Only it didn't quiet turn out as slime. Instead it was more like putty. So if you are looking to do a project to make silly putty try the second slime recipe at Science Bob. The kids still had fun and we all learned that even though it didn't go as we had hoped we still learned something. Perfect chance to let kids know that most science comes from things not working out quiet the way we thought it would. One of the mom's made a comment about it being a failure. I was quick to point out that it really wasn't, just because something doesn't work out the way you thought doesn't make it a failure. Not learning something from it is the failure. I really wish there was a way of just completely removing that word, "failure" from our language. Think about it, how many things in this life can your truly say is a failure, that absolutely nothing is gained from it? Can you actually name something? I know I can't! Now I know that some will argue that's not that actual definition of the word. I know that, the definition is (the primary) an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success. There are more definitions listed as well. When you look closely to the actual definition it simply adds to what I say, can you name an instance when there truly is a "lack of success". So something doesn't work out the way you thought, at least now you know something new. You are still able to move forward and try again looking for a result. That is why today I recommend everyone check out their local library(s) and borrow the movie "Meet the Robinsons", that family has the right idea! Remember to return it on time so you don't have any costs added. Grab one the numerous books for a bedtime story too!

Fun with Science!

On Tuesday we will be meeting with our home school support group. We meet every Tuesday to do things together and since this Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day we decided to do something special. We'll all be bringing food to share but I offered to do a science project too. I let them (the kids) vote on either a slime science project or a color splitting activity with candy and coffee filters. Well needless to say slime one out. Maybe next time I should poll the parents instead, lol. I found a nice site for experiments at ScienceBob. In doing the research for the lesson I came across a group of websites that I hope I will get to use a lot of. Chem4kids, Biology4kids, Geography4kids, Cosmos4kids, Physics4Kids, and NumberNut. The last one is math not science but I want to check it out more maybe I can use it if we need some extra work. Trying to remember some of the information to teach it is difficult sometimes. I know the information but trying to gather it together so that it makes sense for that lesson, it can be hard sometimes. These sites seem to help. I only really used Chem4kids for the slime project information. I also didn't want to use all of the information either. There's enough there for a lot of different lessons. There are a number of different age groups that I have to consider. So I have different levels of knowledge already known for some but I don't want them to get bored. But then at the same time I don't want it to difficult for the younger ones either. I wanted something fun for the kids to do and we can make it green for St. Patrick's day!! Hope you have fun on St. Patrick's day, I know we will!!