Homeschool Bits & Pieces

We have been doing a lot of fun things in school this year.  We have been studying the New World Explorers in history.  We have talked about the foods the explorers had to eat on board their boats.  We dried some turkey and made turkey jerky.  It actually turned out tasty!!!

We made spice cookies to remind us of one of the reasons to explore was to get those valuable spices!

We learned a little knot tying.  We could have used a little help from our resident surgeon on this day, but his schedule was full.  We eventually figured out the knots!!!  We discussed where each of the knots was used on the boat.

After we read about each explorers expeditions, we map their routes on individual overlays for our maps.  We will be in this stage for a few weeks--read about an explorer and chart their route.  I didn't know there where SOOO many!!!

In science, we have started on Anatomy & Physiology.  The first chapter an introduction to Anatomy and the history of anatomy.  We talked about the Egyptians and how they removed to heart prior to mummification.  We tried to mummify an apple with salt and baking soda.  It worked!  The apple coated in the salt was just a little dehydrated after a week.  While the uncoated one was a MOLDED, ROTTEN mess!!

 Just for fun the girls worked this puzzle that I found on sell at the local teacher store for $2 (marked down from $20).  SOLD!

 Next we began studying cells.  We did so many activities to learn the parts of the cell and their functions.

Then we finished off the chapter with the typical edible cell in jello!

 Lauren then logged on to an online test for our Science Book to take her test.  Lyndsey watched on and yelled out an answer here and there!!!

***Update 9/26/12*** While we driving to church tonight.  The 4 older kids (ages 14 in Honors Biology,12 in Life Science,9,6) were quizzing each other of cell facts that they had each covered over the last few weeks.  It was fun to hear them, and it proved to me that they really are understanding the anatomy lessons!  I think Tyler was shocked that Lauren & Lyndsey actually knew the answers.

Our next chapter was on bones.  We learned a lot of the bone names and practiced them everyday.   We did an experiment on the purpose of the skull to protect the brain.  The first egg was just put in container and Lauren ran around the room and this was the result...

The second egg was in the container filled with water, and the egg was fine.  We disected a chicken bone (YUCK).  It was cool to see the inside but it almost made me sick!

Scientist always record the results of their experiments...

A few bone crafts with food...

Another puzzle that I found CHEAP...

We enjoyed playing BONE SCAN ipad game!

In geography this week, we are studying the continent of Australia.  We read D is for Down Under and Diary of a Wombat and a few other books.  We listened to the sound of a didgeridoo and made one from a paper towel roll.

We made paper origami boomerangs that really worked!

We also completed a mini lapbook with the information we learned about Australia!

We have also started our music study of the orchestra.  We are learning where all the instruments sit in the orchestra and the instruments of the string section.

We are also moving right along with our math, reading/literature, spelling and grammar studies.  It is turning out to be a busy but fun year!