Enrichment Science

Science is my daughter's favorite subject.  She is an artistic learner and I try to keep that in mind when choosing curriculum for her.  For science, we use Cut and Paste: Science which is wonderful for her because of the involvement of art, manipulatives and science.  Since this is catered to her learning she retains so much more than when we used a very route science curriculum.  We also supplement it with science experiments for every lesson and the occasional enrichment class.

We are members of the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa or MOSI as the locals call it.  We take several enrichment classes throughout the year.  For only $12 per class it is a great deal. 

Yesterday she did a class called Blossom Buddies.  In the class they learned the parts of a plant, diagrammed a plant and dissected a flower.  They also made a flower and took home seeds that they helped prepare for an ongoing project.  This worked out well for us because this is exactly what we were working on at home so we were able to bring it all together.



MOSI normally publishes the class schedule at our local homeschool convention in May so it is easy to align the curriculum with the classes that you want to take.

Having two very distinct learners I love finding the things that will boost their learning and passion for learning.  What do you do to boost your homeschool experience?

Pumping Up History With Liberty's Kids

This year I chose to teach the same history to both my homeschoolers.  For most subjects I have two completely separate and different curriculum but history is a place I felt I could easily teach on both of their levels.  Saving me some work!  :)

Currently we are covering the American Revolution.  I purchased the full dvd set of Liberty's Kids with the idea that it could help out my 3rd grader reinforcing what we were learning in our class time.  We did history Monday to Thursday and on Friday we ate lunch and watched a few episodes of Liberty's Kids.  I have to say I was really surprised that it wasn't my 3rd grader asking to watch more throughout the weeks but instead my 7th grader.  He absolutely loved it!  If I would have allowed it, he would have stayed daily for the Liberty's Kids marathon.  For him, it brought the historical figures to life and gave them personality.  With the combination of classroom learning and the dvds he was a walking history buff.  He would go places and engage in conversations about the American Revolution.  He wanted t-shirts with Ben Franklin and George Washington.  He was "living" through it and it stuck!  What more could a parent educator want?


As for my 3rd grader, once the Marquis de Lafayette made an appearance, she was on board too.  He helped bring a certain life to history for her as well. He certainly was a character!  Her favorite subject is science so when she was also talking to people about history and drawing pictures of the American Revolution for fun (gasp) I felt a sense of accomplishment.

The Battle of Trenton - Win! Win!  Poor Hessians :(

In the final episode where George Washington became president and Ben Franklin was reciting the Constitution both my kids sat with tears in their eyes.  You could see the impact of the moment.  The amount of bravery and fortitude they witnessed leading to this point really was compelling.  It gave them a greater sense of what their country is, where it came from and what it can mean to them.  It also foreshadowed the impending civil war.  All in all the dvd set really was a wonderful addition.  I wish they made something like this for every era!

Now you can find us reading and learning the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 

Junior Achievement Biztown: Update

Well the day has come and gone.  All his preparation for this one day!

 

 

He did a great job as the Security Advisor.  He presented the Safety Award to Busch Gardens that day but he tells me Met Life was a close second. 


As his sits behind me cooking mac & cheese for lunch, I have to say I am one proud mama.  I received so many compliments of his behavior and he had such a great time.  All those early mornings were worth it I suppose.




No.  I still have not updated my phone :)