Edible Atom

Just found this tonight at the following link-- this is in the plans for tomorrow.


Title - Edible Atom
By - Matthew Besman
Primary Subject - Science
Secondary Subjects - Science
Grade Level - 4-6
A great lesson to use while teaching atoms and the periodic table is the Edible Atom Lab.

Supplies:
Lots of candy...
Large sugar cookies, M&M's, skittles, marshmallows, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, sprinkles, frosting, popcorn, raisins, jelly beans, plates, napkins, milk (optional)etc.

Set the candy in bowls at different stations in your room or on each lab table. The object of this lab is for students to choose an element from the periodic table and design the atom complete with protons, neutrons, electrons and if you get really crazy you can have them add mesons, quarks and gluons. I found that if you limit them to any element with an atomic number of 8 or less it makes the lab work much smoother.

Before the student atom creation can be eaten, the student must make a labeled drawing of their atom and give all information of the element on a 3x5 index card. (Atomic Number, Atomic Mass, Symbol, Element Name, 1 use for the element, metal, non-metal, or metalloid) After you check that all info is correct... then it's eat 'em up time.

My kids loved this lesson. They never had so much fun learning about atoms and elements. You could also do this type of lesson with molecules.

Atoms: Protons, Neutrons and Electrons, OH My!

We're learning about atoms. We built our own carbon atom on the wall with plastic balls and velcro. We wrote "nucleus" on the nucleus and used sticky note tabs for protons and neutrons. The other balls are the electrons orbiting the nucleus. We can remove the protons, neutrons and electrons and create atoms of helium or hydrogen, too. Click on the picture below to see it in full size.

Bananagrams

This is a really fun word game! We found it at AC More today. It is like scrabble in a way- but without the board and points-- very portable! I think it will be easy for us to bring with us on our trips to the hospital.

here is the link: Bananagrams

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Around the World Night

As you can see, the boys did the project on their own. They learned a lot, of course. Joseph even learned to type his facts on the computer. This is a first for him!

Joseph Completes the Flag

Joseph finished making the flag of Honduras. He wrote a bit on it, then spent the time to type it! The project is slowly coming along. We found another coin from Honduras today, as well.

Sean finished the map

Sean made the final additions to his Honduras map today. He drew this free hand. He did make squares on the cardboard to help with drawing. We are impressed with his artwork! Click on the picture to see a larger view. Joseph is still working on his flag. He told us al about the history of the Honduras flag this morning. Whew. He's been researching.

Honduras Project

We are participating in Around the World night next Friday. Every family chooses one country and makes a project and brings food from that country to share. This year, we picked Honduras because dad is a pilot and flies there a lot. Joseph likes the money that dad brought back.



Sean drew a map of Honduras. He started by drawing squares with a ruler (like graph paper). The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa. Our dad flies there and also flies to San Pedro Sula. If you click on the picture, you can see a larger image and read the map. The countries that border Honduras are Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. We think Sean did a great job with the map...he's still working on it.

Flat Stanley

Our friend Alayna sent us her Flat Stanley in the mail. he arrived today and is ready for adventure. We started a blog for Flat Stanley, too. www.alaynasflatstanley.blogspot.com
We love all of the Flat Stanley books. If you have never done a Flat Stanley Project, check out the blog. We've enjoyed all of our Flat Stanley adventures and sent one out a number of years ago. Our Flat Stanley went to a Broncos football game and came back wearing a cowboy hat and boots. Too cute.

Around the World Night

Every year,we participate in a local homeschool event called Around the World Night. This year, the boys picked Honduras. We're working on our project for next week. We've been digging up information on Honduras for some time and Joseph found the money that dad brought back from Honduras. Everyone is supposed to bring a dish from their country to share. Honduras' largest exports are bananas and coffee. Gues what we're brnging? Dad brought back coffee on his last trip.

Everyone is busy at work on their portion of hte project. Joseph is trying to draw and color the flag and Sean is making a map on cardboard, then I will help him attempt his first ever 3-D map of Honduras. Not sure how it will turn out.

If you live in the Piedmont Triad and would like information on Around the World Night, send me an email and I'll get you in touch with the coordinator.

Tower Fun

Joseph finished his school work early today and got out the blocks. He was determined to build a tower using them all. After the tower was finished, he removed one of the base blocks and it did not fall down! We were all amazed. Maybe he will be an engineer when he grows up. I really enjoy just watching them play and create things all on their own. No curriculum needed.

Joseph putting on the last piece. It is not as easy as it looks! He used odd shaped blocks near the top, too..... WOW!

Bunny in the Garden

Spring hs been beautiful this year. The boys have been exploring the garden and playing with the bunny. Always watching for black widow spiders! Last year we found at least 8 or 9 black widow spiders in our yard. Tulips are blooming like crazy! The cherry tree and my lilacs are also in bloom. Joseph bought Henry a harness and has fun running around the yard with him.

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Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Prayer Altar

We visited a group of sisters a few weeks ago who had a chapel in their house. Joseph wanted to build a chapel in our house. We settled and let him design a prayer altar. Here are a few pictures. We have to build a kneeler of some sort. Joseph is working on ideas for that.

Opera Education

The Piedmont Opera website has excellent materials for children. Opera vocabulary, writing activities and post performance questions for various operas.

Piedmont Opera Education

Tonight is Student Night at the Opera here in Winston-Salem at the Piedmont Opera. We've been going to student night for 3 years now and have really enjoyed it. Two of our boys are excited about going to the opera tonight. The yougest has been dancing around chanting, "I love the oerpa! I love opera night!" Tonight we will see Die Fledermaus. I am sure it will be fantastic.

If you don't live in our area, check with an opera theater near you. I have found that many have student nights.

Come to Jesus: A Kids' Book for Eucharistic Adoration

We love this book! Come to Jesus: A Kids' Book for Eucharistic Adoration by Anne Flanagan,FSP

ISBN # 0-8198-1577-2