Friday, March 25, 2011

Homeschool Highlights, Week 22

Science

Using R.E.A.L. Science Chemistry, we have learned about atoms and that a group of the same atoms form molecules to make an element. This week we learned that molecules can bond together. If like molecules bond together, we get a compound. If different molecules bond together, you get a mixture.

I illustrated this by making some gumdrop molecules.
22 - molecules


Of course the kids wanted in on the action too. They went a little more elaborate, however.
22 - molecules Michael


22 - molecules Audrey & Jacob


22 - molecules Alex


Socialization

That little bug that hit Alex last week hit Jacob this week, so we did not make it to church. We did, however, make it to our homeschool group field trip to the Sugar Shack where we learned all about making maple syrup.

We learned all about tree selection and tapping the tree.
spectators


3 girls


Jacob & Matthew


3 little ones


We tasted some sweet tree sap.
tasting the sap


We visited the room where they evaporate some of the 98% water content from the sugar.
Evaporator


We learned about the interesting history of tapping maple trees
group


and had a little practice drilling just the right size hole in the tree.
drilling


We had a good time, and there was even a little lull in the snowstorm that hit us yesterday so that we were able to get to and from The Sugar Shack safely.
Alex & Elizabeth


boots


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting and nice shot!
Sunny greetings.

Brownie said...

That would have been fun - tapping a tree.

I like the bud boots. I just got Blondie a pretty pair; she'll be using them for sandbagging soon.

Quirky Homemaker said...

As always, your photos are great! I've left an award for you at my blog. You can find it here:

http://heartfeltbalancehandmadelife.blogspot.com/2011/03/special-thanks-for-blog-awards.html

Michelle said...

Wow!! That looks like so much fun. I've always wanted to see that process live.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

LOVE the cute rubber boots! Great field trip! It's Maine Maple Sunday coming up here - some of the farms open to the public so show the process of making maple syrup. Stopping by from Weekly Wrap-up!

Jessy

Tiffany said...

Looks like a great week. My kids love making the gumdrop towers. Have a great weekend.

Tiffany

Lizzie said...

How fun! I love your photos.
We got to experience sugaring at Old Sturbridge Village last weekend!
Happy Weekly Wrap-up!

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

Those gumdrop molecules are fabulous! And the field trip looks like fun (and cold!).

Lora @ my blessed life said...

Love those gumdrop molecules! And what a fun field trip~I still remember a similar field trip I took when I was still in school. That fresh maple syrup was so yummy:)

Amy @ Cheeky Cocoa Beans said...

Oooohhh, it looks like it was a fun school week! Great shots! Hope everyone stays well for a long while. :)

Unknown said...

What fun! and let me know, where did you get the polka dotted wellies????

CrossView said...

Ooh! Now that's some SWEET schooling! Yummy and fun...