Beyond Co-op: Thomas Edison #4

I'm behind on this by about two weeks so may be posting two close together.  :-)  We typically meet every other week.  This meeting we covered chapters 9-12 in the book.  We choose to focus on a couple of these lessons.

First, we talked about communication and the various forms used throughout time to communicate with one another.

 One of the aspects of the story that we found really interesting was the fascination that Tom had with the telegraph.  Below is a picture of a homemade telegraph!  (Love the inspiration of some people as I know I wouldn't ever have done this!)

 The children learned about morse code and each had a sheet identifying the code for each letter.  

 We were also incredibly blessed to find that one of the families in the group actually had several of these that we could (gently) use!Of course, they each eagerly awaited their turn to try out the telegraph!

 As a group they worked on decoding a number of words in order to get the hang of it.

 I just thought this was a fun picture taken in a mirror.

 We listened to morse code on a couple of web sites to hear what it would sound like, then the children were split into small groups.  They had a clipboard with several sheets of paper.  One with the code.  A blank piece for writing on.  A third sheet contained words that they were to type out for the others in their group.  (Each child had different words!)

 They did a great job with this and really had fun with it too!

 For snack time we focused on the garden veggies that Tom and his friend grew and sold to make money to fund his laboratory.  (I'm not wanting this to give my guys any ideas!  LOL  Yes, they have asked about having their own lab.  I'm not as trusting or nice as Mrs. Edison was though.)

 The second half of the morning we focused on advertising.  We first talked about advertising and what it was.  What forms it takes and how it affects people.  The children were again split into groups of 3 or 4.  They each chose a kitchen utensil/tool out of my bag.  They were then to make a commercial for this item.

 They spent time working on the script and practicing their commercial.  Then it was time to perform.  It was so much fun to see what they did with their time.  The first group had a "pickle grabber".

 The second group chose a steamer.

 The third group a cutting board.

 They were all creative, funny and convincing - in their own way.  It was another fun morning!

Here are a few websites that my sweet co-teacher used for those who may also be tackling some of these lessons.

http://www.philtulga.com/morse.html
http://www.edisongreen.com/kawa/rotc.wav
http://chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/pertel.htm

Hope you are finding joy in your days and peace in your heart!  God loves you!

Blessings
Leslie

FIAR Art and Talent Show

This is something we have done for years - though not every year.  It started as just an art show and last year expanded to include music.  This year it also included one song, a poem and a reading.  Its a neat opportunity for our children to have a chance to share their work and/or talents and to enjoy those of their friends.

 We were blessed to be able to host our event at a local music store with a separate room.  This was really great for those playing the piano and it was a real treat to have a piano duet!

 Eliana was proud of her picture of the Yellow Ball.  It reminds me that I really need to do more art with her!

 The art was displaying on tables around the room.  There were drawings, painting, sculpture, carvings, weaving, mixed media, and more!

 I really enjoy seeing all that they do.  It's fun to see things that tie into FIAR lessons that we have done too!

 There was a lot of talent to enjoy in this room!

 I especially like seeing the children sharing their work with each other.  We all like it when someone appreciates our work no matter what our age.

 I wasn't able to get good photos of the musicians based on where my seat was located.  I did get a group  photo though!

 Eliana wanted a turn on the piano too.  She loves music!

 Friends looking at the 3-D scrapbook that Rebecca made me for Christmas.

 More art to enjoy!

Another fun day with friends.  So many things to be thankful for.  God gives so many gifts and they come in so many different forms.  I don't always take time to stop and appreciate things like I should.  Days like this are a good reminder to me to slow down and enjoy.  (Not always so easy though when chasing an active little girl!)

Thanks friends for sharing your children and their work!  I look forward to doing this again next year!

Blessings
Leslie

Beyond Co-op: Thomas Edison #3

This was our second formal gathering, but I'm counting it as the third since I posted about our visit to the one-room schoolhouse.  We were covering Chapters 5-8 (and one lesson from 9).  The kids first talked about  pollution and buffers.  They learned about the great job that plants do in protecting our environment and of course talked about helping to take good care of it themselves.

 Can you see what we talked about next?  Can you read the chart?  Yes, it's recognizable even without getting a close up view.  It's the periodic table of elements.  I love that this topic was covered in a fun and interesting way.  This is not something that I would have tackled in any depth at this age.  I am thankful for co-op because many topics are covered that wouldn't be otherwise - and in such great ways!

 The children were attentive and interested in the topic.  Science is such a great hands-on topic and a wonderful one to share in a group!

 We learned about the structure of an atom - specifically the protons and electrons.

Each child was given a paper with a different chemical symbol on it.

 They were then to draw the electrons.  They learned how many went in each layer around the protons.  They also learned that when the "complete number" (8) was not found in the last layer, that the cells would be attracted to other elements that would complete them and make them "happy" (with 8 electrons).

 In order to illustrate the combining of cells, each child was given the opportunity to be a cell.  They then had to find another element with which they could join in order to be "happy".

The ties on the sides of the "cells" could be used to join the cells together.

What a great way to experience science!  I love co-op and am thankful for the opportunity to be in one.  Thanks Vickie and Vivian for a wonderful day!  More soon on our next co-op adventure!

Blessings
Leslie

Book Club - In His Steps

Just a quick note for anyone that may be following our Book Club posts.  This month we read the book In His Steps by Charles Sheldon.

The book is about a turn of the century church/town that is radically changed when people take a vow to live life as Jesus would.  They ask themselves "What would Jesus do?" before making a decision.  This is a classic book that I remember reading in college.  I enjoyed it again a second time.  It's always a good reminder to have a filter like this to use when making decisions. 

As an aside, isn't it funny that none of the girls have the same cover on their books?

Next month ... The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

Happy Reading!

Blessings
Leslie

Cupcakes & Friends

Going to combine a couple of things here.  Rebecca received a book for Christmas on making cupcakes.  Really cute cupcakes!  She has had fun on a couple of occasions making them.  I know she would like to make them more often.  (Can be tough with a diabetic in the house!)  She has enjoyed making them with friends a couple of times too.

This was her first try.  Snowmen.  Aren't they cute?!!!

 She made these with a sweet friend and they made different expressions on them.  Can you see them?  Happy.  Surprised.  Serious.  I love them!

Here are the artists!

Here is the birthday girl before enjoying the treats!

 We were able to go to VA to spend time with our dear friends there.  While we were there, lots of fun was had by all!  (I unfortunately was too busy having fun to take many pictures.)  Rebecca and Hannah have been friends all of their lives.  We were blessed to live beside our friends for 7 years.  We are thankful for our visits, though wish they could happen more often!

The girls had fun creating in the kitchen.  This time they chose to make flower cupcakes.

Don't they look great?!  They  made each petal and decorated it with sprinkles!

Here is a platter full of flowers.  

Playing in the snow was also a hit!  It wasn't much snow left by their standards, but by ours - it was great.  As Roger said, we sometimes sled on frozen leaves.  This is great.

 Always fun to play games with friends.  Actually, most anything can be fun with friends.  Even the most mundane of chores is made lighter with the conversation, laughter and enjoyment of a friend.  We are thankful to be blessed with many precious friends in our lives!

One last note on the cupcakes.  Rebecca is interested in selling cupcakes.  If you are local and interested in purchasing cupcakes, she is able to take orders.  She has many themes to choose from as well.  We haven't figured out pricing (and suggestions?).  Just wanted to offer in case there was interest.

Hope you are having a fun-filled week!

Blessings
Leslie