Beyond Co-op - Helen Keller #1 and #2

We have started another round of co-ops in our Beyond group.  This time we are studying Helen Keller.  We started with a study of the eye.  This is what led to our first Beyond co-op group years ago when Christopher was in Beyond.  I wanted some friends to dissect an eye with me and thus our co-op began.  Its fun that we have some of the same moms - and younger siblings - in this group.    

The morning began with talking about the various parts of the eye and the function of each part. 

A form detailing the parts of the eye.  (Sorry its sideways!)

An experiment in seeing how the pupil reacts to light.  Covering your eyes and then opening them to expose them to light.  The other student watched what happened to the pupil.

Then they did an experiment to try to locate the "blind spot" in the eye.  They are looking at a spot and moving the paper closer to their face until one of the spots "disappears".  Pretty neat.  You can look here to see some experiments.

Next the kids found this assortment of items on the table.  They each chose an item which represented a part of the eye.   Their task was to line up in the correct order.

Yes, they were successful!

The next activity had each child with a label on his/her back.  They had to figure out what they were and then line up in the correct order.  (Love all the ways of learning this information!)

Snack included an "eyeball".  LOL

We watched a video clip of an eyeball dissection before trying it on our own.

Then it was time.  They kids were told to get into pairs.

This is not a pair I would have selected.  They are the youngest two in the co-op.  I most likely would have placed them each with an older student.  I would have been wrong!  They were both so careful and did a fabulous job together!!!  And had fun too!  :-)

Each pair had a cow's eyeball, gloves and a dissection kit.   (You can order everything you need from Home Science Tools,)

They understood each part from all of the games and exercises that we did earlier.  They carefully followed instructions on how to cut into the eyeball and observe the various parts.

Can you see how the lens magnifies things?

This is the back of the eyeball (retina).  Isn't the color amazing?

I'm so glad that my kids had this experience.  What a great way to learn about the eye!  I'm thankful for friends who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with our children.  This was a great 

morning!

For our second co-op, we met together to watch the film The Miracle Worker.  We used a projector and a big sheet for a screen to make it more fun to watch in a group.  :-)

Hope you are enjoying your days and learning about the wonders God has made!

Blessings

Leslie

State Fair!

Yes, I'm still playing catch-up.  Will hopefully be able to post Thanksgiving, birthday and service project pictures this week-end.  Until then, here are some more fun outings from the fall.

We love the State Fair.  We are so blessed to live close by!  Everyone was excited to go and thankful some of our friends could go with us!  We went on a week-end to avoid some of the long lines.  Roger and Christopher were both able to join us in the afternoon.  

I was thrilled to learn about a booth that had gluten free fries!!!  They were yummy and it was so nice not to have to worry about what she was eating.  We also found hotdogs she could have thanks to the owner who went out of his way to find out this information for us!

Happy girl with her fries.

Food is always a highlight of the fair.  So many things fried!  LOL

We all enjoyed sampling various things!

One of our favorite sites each year is the Farm Fresh NC.  The kids each get a basket and "pick" fruits and veggies to fill it up.

They are given a bag of treats when the exchange their crops for "money".  They also played a nutrition game.  I was excited to see the new Food Plate (replacing the Food Pyramid) that we had just learned about.  Have you seen this yet?

We looked at the exhibits and enjoyed seeing the ones entered by friends.  This picture is one that Rebecca entered.

Oh, and the rides.  We learned last year that Eliana enjoyed rides!  Can you see the delight on her face?

Group shot.

Eliana is one the roller coaster with Daniel and her Daddy.  And she loved it!

Can't you tell?

Games and wining prizes.  Rebecca and Hanna both won a "Minion"

The vote for Family Favorite would go to the Bumper Cars.  Everyone (except Eliana who is not yet big enough) loves to ride these!

My girl that likes to twirl and spin - well, the oldest one - rode on this with her friend Hanna.  They seemed to like it - but I was glad to be on the ground.

When the sun went down, the temps really dropped.  We rode a few more rides.

Eliana slept.  Soundly.  Through the rest of the night!

I can't believe that Daniel is already big enough to be on this ride!

We ended the evening with treats.  Funnel cakes.  YUM!

and NC State ice cream.  YUM!  (You can also see Hanna's cute minion.)

We left just as the fireworks were going off.  (Yes, Eliana slept through this too!)  What a fun ending to a great day!

Some things are just fun to do year after year.  This is one of them.

Blessings

Leslie

Historic Alamance

This was a fun field trip we took last month to Historic Alamance for their Colonial Living Days.  They do a wonderful job with this event and I highly recommend attending if you are in the area.

We had reason for this outing to be even more special for us as we had friends join us.  Christopher's roommate, Joe, had his family visiting.  We met in August and really hit it off.  I was so excited that they were able to join us!  It was sweet to share our day together.  I wish I had gotten a good picture of all of us.  I also wish we had been able to hang out even longer as we enjoy them so much.

We learned about how cider is made and some of the children helped with the press. 

Then we tasted some fresh cider.  Yum!

We learned about the weapons that were used.  This was a demonstration of the rifle and how it worked.

The cannon firing came later in the day.

Its always neat to see these fired.  It was a little more sobering to think about how they were used though after watching the film reenactment of the battle that took place here.

There were a variety of stations around the site with various reenactors describing how things were done during the colonial time period.  Making candles.

Making yarn.

Writing with a quill pen.

How foods were cooked and the types of food that were eaten.

Reading more about the curing and storing of tobacco.  (Can you see the large leaves in the building in front of my boys?)

Blacksmith.  His tools were very interesting to lots of little hands.

We had a picnic lunch on site and then gathered for the firing of the cannon.  Can you see that one of my boys has prepared by covering his ears already?

Fun morning!  Its my favorite way to learn history.  History is fascinating.  Its stories about people and places.  I have loved learning more about the past and the people that made a difference in how we live our lives today.  Learning by watching, exploring and experiencing is a great way to make the lessons your own instead of something that gets lost in a book.  

More of the promised pictures - hopefully soon.  :-)

Blessings

Leslie