Secular Charlotte Mason

javascript:mox();

This is from Cori's blog and is a wonderful example of including nature studies in your family's life. By-the-way, if you spend any time outside be sure to check out Henry and his plantain story in this post. That stuff works for all types of stings and scratches you may encounter as you do nature studies. We use it just like Henry describes. 

I'd like to share this link to the NIH Office of Science Education that a friend recommended for supplementing our biology and psychology studies. I have not seen the materials myself (I just ordered mine) but they look good and, best of all, are free. It looks like there are also links at the site for doing online work (we are going to be checking out the time-lapse video of brain development). Overall, a worthwhile site to check out for supplementing K-12 science. 

javascript:mox();

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of teaching a great group of young kids about tornadoes. This entry is inspired by that experience and my own experiences of tornado season in the Midwest. The first activity I did with the group and the other activity is just an idea that came to me as I was researching.  

MAKING TORNADOES:

Prep:

1. Using pictures or illustrations from a book, magazine or website, briefly describe how tornadoes are formed. (I used The Weather Atlas by Keith Lye and the Tornado issue of Kids Discover Magazine)

2.  Ask kids what they think they should do if they are ever in a tornado. Dispell any misconceptions they may have. The key points are:

*Go into a cellar or basement if you can; avoiding any windows, doors or corners.

*If you do not have the above or you are in a car, find a waterless ditch or an overpass.  Crouch down in the overpass or lie down in the ditch covering your head and neck with your arms and hands.

*Many kids will think it is safer to stay in their house, car or garage. This activity should help convince them this is not such a good idea!

Steps:

1. Gather a bottle or jar with a lid (tall cylinders work the best but canning jars will also work), food coloring, glitter (I prefer microfine), dish soap and some small houses, cars and/or animals (Monopoly game pieces are the perfect size) . 

2. Fill the jar 3/4 full with water.

3. Add a dash of glitter, 1-2 drops food coloring (1 drop for dark colors or 2 drops for light colors), approx. 1 tsp. dish soap and the toys/game pieces. We did discover that for this activity more is not better! Too much soap, glitter or food coloring will make it hard to see the "tornado vortex". 

4. Put the lid on tightly. Check to be sure the lids are tight!

5. Vigorously shake the jar ending in a twirling or twisting motion to create the "tornado" vortex. Some kids will have to practice to get the motion just right--be persistent. Holding the jar up to light also helps show off the vortex. 

6. As the kids are observing their tornado vortex/funnel discuss what is happening to the objects and glitter inside the jar. Point out how the houses get lifted right off the ground. The glitter represents all the dirt and debris that tornadoes pick up as the get close to ground. My son suggested that the bubbles that form at the top could represent clouds. 

Note: This is also a good activity if you are just stressed. We have discovered that it is quite calming to shake the jars and just watch the water swirl around. My son called it a "psuedo lava lamp" .

TRUE OR FALSE:

1. You will need  Melvin & Gilda Berger's Do Tornadoes Really Twist: Questions & Answers About Tornadoes and Hurricanes or a similar formated book on tornadoes.

2. If you have a large group of learners it is easiest to give each of them two index cards; one that says "True" and one that says "False".

3. Now, using the book, reword their questions so that you have a true or false question. You can do this ahead of time or on the spot.

4. Ask a question and have the students hold up the index card that they think is the correct answer. Have them defend their answers to the best of their abilities discussing anything that is blatantly incorrect or is a key thing to know about tornadoes.

Note: If you have just one or two learners or want a more interactive experience try doing it as a game.

1. Using carpet squares or construction paper create a path and call it Tornado Alley. Learners start at the first square.

2. If the answer to a question is True they move forward one square, if the answer is False they move backward one square (make sure the first question's answer is "True" to get them started!) 

3. Keep asking questions until you reach the end of Tornado Alley.