If you’ve ever opened a nappy/diaper and noticed the mysterious gel that forms when it gets wet, you’ve seen super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) in action. These tiny polymer “balls”—similar to the science kits sold as water beads—are remarkable for their ability to absorb many times their weight in water. They’re used in nappies, fake snow powder, gardening, and……
Tag: Homeschooling
The Rhythm of the Pond {Pond Study – Week 13}
As we reach the middle stretch of our year-long pond study, I’ve noticed a quiet shift taking place — not so much in the pond itself, but in us. The children have grown more at ease here. They no longer rush to spot something new or tick off a species list; instead, they seem to settle……
Blueberries for Sal Book Unit
“Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey is a beloved children’s classic that follows little Sal on a blueberry-picking adventure. This book unit includes hands-on activities inspired by the story, such as crafts and cooking, fostering family bonding and learning about nature. The story’s charm endures, celebrating curiosity and simple joys.
Ancient Chinese Currency {& Qin Dynasty} Homeschool Lesson
In this homeschool lesson, children explored ancient Chinese currency, focusing on cowrie shells and the unified round coins with square holes from the Qin dynasty. They engaged in crafting replicas and learned about the Qin’s significance, including its centralized government, standardization of currency, and the dynastic legacy impacting Chinese history and culture.
Night-time Pond Visit {Pond Study: Week 12}
This week, we experienced a magical spring night visit to the pond, revealing serene reflections and nocturnal aquatic life. Many creatures were active, while fish rested. The peaceful atmosphere, enhanced by a pair of honking geese, highlighted the unique charm of nighttime at the pond, encouraging further explorations and studies.
Play with Me {Book Unit}
Play with Me, a 1955 children’s book by Marie Hall Ets, imparts lessons on patience and kindness through the story of a girl trying to play with animals in a meadow. Beautiful charcoal illustrations complement the narrative. The book earned a Caldecott Honor, highlighting its quality in children’s literature.
Ancient Chinese Religions {Homeschool Lesson}
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……
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……