Cells

Last week in Science the kids learned about cells. We started by reading a little bit about them, learning the difference between plant cells (usually rectangular in shape) and animal cells (usually circular in shape).

 Then the kids started their lab sheet.

We had to examine an unfertilized chicken egg (which is considered a single cell) with a magnifying glass. The kids learned that an egg shell has tiny holes to allow air and water to enter and leave.

We cracked open the egg and compared it to the egg diagram, finding the parts listed and labeling them.

 Both children colored in their diagrams according to the color chart on the lab sheet.

Jayden labeled the parts of his egg.

While working on the lab sheet we discussed the importance of the yolk; how it provides nutrients to the developing chick and would no longer be there once a fertilized egg hatched.

The handy dandy iPad proved to be very useful again today. (I have to keep writing about how we use it for school so that Juan doesn't realize that this iPad is really all for me, me, me!). I downloaded an app called iCell. iCell gave us 3D views of three different types of cells: animal, bacteria, and plant.

We were able to zoom in on specific parts of the cell, as well as rotate it to give us a full view of it from all angles.

We were also able to tap on each organelle and read a description about it. Each organelle came with a basic, intermediate, and advanced description.

It is a very basic app, pretty straightforward.

I think it's safe to say Jayden really liked it.

Week 3 COMPLETE!

Last Monday marked the beginning of week 3 of school for us. On the previous Friday Jayden scored 100% on his spelling test. These are the words we worked on last week.

 In grammar and writing, Jayden worked on fixing run on sentences.

Caitlin is currently working on adding numbers 1-10.

 

She is also the proud owner of the second set of Bob Books.  She is doing very well with reading. She is constantly asking me how to spell words and sounding out signs.

One of the reasons I purchased the iPad was for the educational apps. Lately I have been devouring books on it and have been totally hogging it! I have finally decided to share it again. Last week May sent me a link to called Smart Apps for Kids, which is an amazing website that links to free or discounted iPad/iPod apps. I signed up and am now receiving daily emails for new apps! Below Caitlin is working on a puzzle.

In history we read about the Egyptians and the Nile River. We learned about the Egyptian myth explaining why the Nile flooded every year. Using our Usborne Encyclopedia of World History, we read about what Egyptians did during harvest time.

After answering questions together about the chapter we read, both kids colored a page depicting the Egyptian myth.  

  The newest artwork is now being displayed on our art line.

 

Family Fun Day!

Last weekend the Mr. had the day off. We all had a magnificent day together!

First we went to Liquid Planet, a small family operated water park. The kids went up and down these giant slides. Jayden chose the red slide, Haley's Comet, which is a 246 foot long enclosed slide. Even though it was super dark the whole way down, he went on it multiple times!

Due to height restrictions, Caitlin was only allowed on the green slide and had to be in her dad's lap. The green slide, Trevor's Time Warp, is an open slide and is 272 feet long.

Jayden continued going on the slides several times while this little lady swam in the pool. Without floats! This summer she has worked hard to build up her strength to swim without them!

Cait enjoying the lake

Jayden got on a zip line, 35 feet in the air and 1,000 feet long!!

Afterward we headed off for a couple of games of cosmic bowling. 

We signed Jayden up for football and he has insisted on exercising to prepare himself for the work he has coming up ahead. Here he is after his little workout, reading a book that May bought him.

World History

In the first chapter of our history book, we read about nomads and how they became farmers.

The kids colored a picture of an early farmer using a "shaduf" (an irrigation device).

Caitlin's work

Jayden's work

Hanging on our art line

They also painted their very own "cave art." We started with a brown paper bag and crumpled it up to represent the bumpy surface of a cave. They each painted a picture of what they would be doing if they had lived as a nomad back then.

 They used their fingers, in true nomad fashion.

"Eww mom, the brown paint looks like poop!"

As a female, Caitlin's job would be gathering berries, roots, etc. Cait's painting shows her picking blueberries.

As a male, Jayden would be expected to hunt for meat. Jayden's painting shows him hunting deer in the forest.

Of course, the art work went up on our art line!

Science

This year for science we are using R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Life. We spent last week gathering the materials for the first half of the book. I am super excited about this book! It is very well laid out, simple enough for the kids to get the gist of, and fun!

For our first unit in science we discussed living vs. nonliving, the characteristics of living things, and the difference between nonliving and dead.

For our first lab the kids had to think about the characteristics that would prove whether a bike, a human, a plant, and a rock were living or nonliving.

Our second lab of the week had us outdoors. We were supposed to find a "wild" area to study. I'm not the outdoorsy type so we chose the huge puddle in our yard. It's drying up but the whole area is muddy and full of creepy wild life. This was as good as it was going to get!

 The kids recorded their findings on their lab sheet.

We came back inside for them to finish off the last couple of questions. Jayden (aka the litter patrol) was disgusted by the amount of trash in the fields.

Jayden told me "Mom, this may not look like much fun to other people, but for me, this is REALLY cool!"