Beyond Co-op: Marie Curie #3

I have two more posts on our Marie Curie co-op that I didn't get posted before the New Year.  We have started a new book and I will get to that soon, but wanted to share this one first.  I got behind on posting this one as this is the same day that Joshua ended up in the hospital.  He started the day with what we thought was a stomach bug.  :-(  It was so much more than that.  I hate that he missed this fun morning, but am so very thankful that we live in a time and place where he can receive the care that he needs!

This co-op focused on two topics - the Periodic table and composers.  What a fun morning with both teachers focusing on something that the loved and are excited about!

We started with science and looking at the structure of elements in their most basic form.

 We learned about how the periodic table is arranged in families and how to read the lines and rows.  Families were illustrated by the children in lines.

 This is a fun new book that a sweet friend gave me.  It was such a fun addition to our morning (and many other days since in our house!).  I highly recommend it if you are studying this topic.  It comes with a box of cards - one on each element - that you will see if future pictures in this post.

 We learned about various elements.  Not all of them but each child took a turn talking about the element and telling something about it.  In addition to an interesting fact, they showed a picture (the cards mentioned above) and said how many protons and how many electrons.  (This was important for their position on the periodic table.)

 A picture helped to visualize the drawing of each element.

 As each one was discussed, they were placed on the floor in their order.

 An "atom" snack.  See the protons and neutrons?  LOL

 After our discussion, you can see a bit more of out table with each white piece of paper being a different element.

 We also watched some videos on the various elements.  You can find the videos here.  http://www.youtube.com/course?list=EC7A1F4CF36C085DE1&feature=plcp

 Its a listing of all of the elements in alphabetical order.  The videos are short and fun to watch!

Next it was time to learn more about composers and music.  We learned about different periods of music and the composers in those periods.  We listened to different pieces.  Also learned about some of the instruments available at different time periods and how that influenced or changed music.  Very interesting!  I love that my children have this exposure to music here as we don't do much of this at home.

 We had a polish lunch.  So many yummy foods.  We really are spoiled by our foods at co-op.  I'm not complaining at all - loving it!

 Several stews and hot foods to go along with breads and vegetables.  Delicious!

 And before running out to play for a bit, they each had a time of review to see if they remembered what they had learned about the elements.

 Taking time to place the correct number of protons, neutrons and electrons on a selected element.  Good job!
 
As always, it is an amazing time!  Very thankful for this group!

Blessings
Leslie

Book Club: The Dressmaker

We met to discuss the book The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott.  Its is a historical fiction book which begins with a young girl who is hired to be the personal maid for a fashion designer as she travels on the Titanic.  A very small part of the story actually takes place on the ship while the bulk of the book deals with the effects of the decisions made on this ship and how it affects those who make it safely home.  We found it a very interesting read and a great tie-in to the Titanic exhibit that we will be visiting in a couple of months.  

We decided to go with an elegant snack reminiscent of being on board the Titanic.  Rebecca made delightful foods for us to enjoy!  We had fruit (apples and grapes), a variety of cheeses and meats to snack on.

Chocolate eclairs and a fun bubbly drink.

Scones, Waldorf pudding (which was served on the Titanic) and delightful ices in both strawberry and pineapple.

I'm not sure why I didn't get a photo of the girls actually at the table and enjoying the foods.  It was a fun night though.

Its nice to enjoy a good book and then to also share it with friends.

Blessings
Leslie

Field Trip to Stagville

Our FIAR group took a field trip to Stagville Plantation.  It is one of the largest plantations of the pre-Civil War south.  There are buildings there from the late 18th century.  You can read more about it here at the Stagville site  

We split into an older and younger group.  The younger children started out in a group talking about various jobs that the slaves held.  They talked about this as they played a game of Charades.  

We then toured the home.  Its beautiful inside.

Great cabinet in the hallway for storing dishes.

Steep stairs.

Neat room in the attic space.

View of the garden from the Master bedroom.

The master bedroom.

This is the back of the house.  (Not sure why I didn't get a good picture of the front of the house.)

I love that children will play with whatever they find.  Rocks can be something fun.

Taking a peek into an old outhouse.

We then drove down the road to the slave's quarters.

We first walked to an enormous barn which was built entirely by the enslaved people.

The children listened and learned.

It truly is a remarkable building.  It shows that it has been standing for over 150 years!

This is the outside of the barn.

These are the homes that the slaves lived in.

Better than the conditions of many slaves, but not what anyone would want for their life.  This is such a hard period of history to learn about.  Its so very sad in so many ways.  And sad to see the effects of slavery even so many years later.  

As we finished up our tour, we decided to go to a nearby park to play.  It was a gorgeous day and a great way to end our field trip.

As always, I'm thankful to be able to learn about history in a hands-on way.  I think it is more real than just reading about facts in a book.  I hope that through learning about history that my children will have a better understanding of the past and thus make better decisions for the future.

Blessings

Leslie

Before FIAR co-op: If Jesus Came to My House

Playing a little catch-up as usual.  We just started back to school today after a long break.  This was also Christopher's first day back to class and we like to keep a similar schedule so that we can have off on the days that he is home.

We had a really productive day today!  I'm going to enjoy it as I know not all days will go so well . Probably not even tomorrow!  We'll do our best though.

This is our last Before FIAR co-op with the book If Jesus Came to My House.  We started with a devotion and the story of Jesus meeting Zacheus.  The children were enthralled with seeing the story come to life with felts.  (I use ours more often!)

We also talked about JOY - putting Jesus first, then others and yourself last.  I wanted Eliana to have a picture with the blocks since this is also her middle name.  

A cardboard house is always so much fun.  It was a great way to practice knocking at the door and inviting someone in.  Also taking turns and sharing.  

For our craft, the children made beautiful flowers.

They started with coloring on coffee filters.  They each did several of them.

Then they were squirted with water to make the colors run and look more like watercolors.

I love seeing my little princess at work!  I meant to take a picture of her with her finished flower, but forgot to.

This cute house even had a doorbell to ring!

For our snack, we had a fancier table and talked about treating our guests specially.  You can see one of the finished flowers along with our snack of apples and rice krispie treats.

Meanwhile the older kids were participating in the Mad Scientist Club.  They read a chapter in the book and then each of them brings something as a show and tell.  Lego creation, drawing, craft item, etc.  We also have a question and discussion time and then after snacks - its time for experiments!  What a treat it was on this day to have one of the Dads come and lead the activities for them!

This was an experiment to see if you could lift up another person using only your breath!  (Blowing into a plastic bag)

They all loved having a turn at this one.

This was another fun one!  Put vinegar into a bottle and then add baking soda.  The reaction of the two will blow up the balloon!  See this blog post for more details on doing it yourself.

Another fun day with friends!  Looking forward to more fun times together!

Blessings
Leslie