Ancient Chinese religions and beliefs were a complex blend of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and lastly indigenous folk religions. These were not seen as separate, but rather as complementary. Core concepts include ancestor veneration, the concept of Heaven (Tian), the balance of opposing forces (yin and yang), and a belief in the universal energy of qi. Ancient Chinese Religions Core Beliefs……
Category: Homeschooling
Water Beads Polymer Lesson {Polymer Play}
Continuing our fun with polymers, I thought I would introduce the little ones to a very different type of polymer – the water bead. These are basically polymers which when in their dried state will absorb copious amounts of water and swell from the size of a tiny bead to the size of a marble. I……
Bark Rubbing and Leaf Hammering {Pond Study Week 11}
This week at the pond, moorhens were observed nesting and a new grey heron visitor appeared. Activities included bark rubbing and leaf hammering, engaging children with tree studies while creating unique prints. The post highlights the significance of pond wildlife and introduces creative nature-based projects linked to local biodiversity.
The Properties of Slime {Polymer Play}
In this session, children explore the properties of slime, a non-Newtonian fluid with both solid and liquid characteristics. They learn about slime’s unique structure, which consists of polymer cross-linking, leading to viscoelastic behavior. The hands-on experiences with tools enhance their understanding of slime’s adjustable consistency and self-healing properties.
How to Make Slime {Polymer Play}
After the utter joy of bouncy ball making, I thought probably slime would be a hit also. So this week I showed the girls how to make slime. Discover More! Read how we created a special science nook for our preschoolers Slime is a gooey, sticky, non-Newtonian fluid that is typically made by mixing a polymer……
Ancient Chinese Writing System {Homeschool Lesson}
Although historians can’t be sure there was ever a Xia dynasty, early writings prove that the Shang Dynasty did exist. In fact, it is here, during the Shang Dynasty, we begin our foray into the Ancient Chinese Writing System. Discover More! Read more about the Shang Dynasty as we research silk moths, write a report……
Pond Birds in the UK {Pond Study}
The post highlights the vibrant pond ecosystem and various bird species in the UK, including mallards, moorhens, coots, and grey herons. It emphasizes their behaviors and unique characteristics. The content invites readers to explore a year-long study on pond birds and emphasizes the beauty and connection developed through observing these creatures in nature.
Corduroy Book Unit
This week we started our Corduroy Book Unit. This is such a fantastic book for hands on activities, of which we seemed to do hundreds! The theme this week was, perhaps unsurprisingly, teddy bears. And, boy, did we have fun! Check out other bear themed book units! Jessie Bear, What Will You Wear? Book Unit……
The Geography of Ancient China {and Xia Dynasty}
In this post about the geography of ancient China, we explore the lay of the land, as described by Marco Polo, using our paper mache map: Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made from links on this website. Marco Polo and his route to Cathay Today, in The Travels of Marco……
Ash Trees and Lichen {Pond Study: Week 9}
This post discusses the significance of UK ash trees and the lichens they support, emphasizing their role in biodiversity. It highlights the threat of ash dieback, caused by a fungal disease, endangering both ash trees and over 500 lichen species associated with them. Conservation efforts are underway to preserve these valuable ecosystems.
Beach Themed Activities
Each morning the little ones have a one hour themed session. In this week’s hour, we did lots of beach themed activities. For science the girls made their own yellow ball from Borax and glue. In art they made some sand pictures. In their explorers’ class they discovered the joys of a beachy sensory box. And……
Yellow Ball Book Unit
Yellow Ball is one of the books from the excellent Before Five in a Row curriculum. This Yellow Ball Book Unit contains so many wonderful hands on activities. Enjoy! This book screamed out to be used to learn more about the beach so I collected any other FIAR books that were vaguely beach themed along……
Aesop’s Fables Homeschool Lesson
In this short Aesop’s Fables homeschool lesson, I will share some resources, note-pages, fable rewrites and an even shorter play rewrite! Aesop’s fables offer life lessons on perseverance (e.g., “The Crow and the Pitcher”), preparing for the future (e.g., “The Ant and the Grasshopper”), and being content with what you have (e.g., “The Dog and the……
Home-Made Baking Powder {Incredible Science}
In this continuation of our Incr-Edible Science Curriculum, we shall be applying the knowledge we learnt from our last lesson on the science of soda bread. This week, we shall be making some home-made Baking Powder. Check out our earlier posts: The Science of Lemonade and Perfecting Lemonade Why Include Incr-Edible Science in our Home School? Pin This! Whilst……
Animals and Insects at the Pond {Pond Study Week 8}
In week eight of our one year pond study we focused on the animals and insects to be found there: Our pond Read More! Introduction to our one year pond study This week we were going to revisit our tree study. I had lots of ideas and activities planned, but as we are finding out nature……