Science Explorers and Library Co-op

Every other Tuesday we now have a Science Explorers meeting with friends we’ve met through Relaxed Homeschoolers of NH. We are currently working our way through the human body and last meeting we explored the Digestive System.

Listening to a story

Eating cookies and doing project.

The baggie represents the stomach filled with pretzels and cereal.

Adding orange juice to represent the digestive juices.

Holding the "stomach" contents up to the light to see how the digestive juices help break food down. 

 

A model of the digestive system

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On Friday we had library (little) co-op, which Tania and I hosted.This was our first little co op of the new school year as we had taken a break over the summer. We changed this up a bit and now will be doing monthly science themes. It was decided for the month of September to do an oceans/marine animals theme. It runs for 2 hours and we break it up into two 45 minute sessions with 30 minutes used for playtime, set up and clean up. 
For my 45 minutes I decided to do a few different "experiments" and activities with the kids.
*I forgot to take pictures during the first hour of this co op.*

First we did an activity on sink or float. I brought in a bucket filled with water and picked 10 little items from around my house such as a pen, crayon, medicine cup, eraser. ect . I set each kid up with a chart numbered 1-10 and they each could pick up an item, show it around, and as group, guess whether the item would sink or float. I also brought my kitchen scale so that they could weigh each item and make an educated guess. The kids were really into it and make some pretty good guesses.

Next we did the age old float an egg experiment. I filled 2 pitchers of water about half way. I had the kids add sea salt to one of the pitchers. We ended up with a pitcher of salt water and one of fresh water. Then I had the kids guess in which one of the pitchers an egg would float.

Finally, we did an ocean in a bottle. The kids each took turns adding blue water, baby oil, sand, and shells to empty water bottles. Once closed they could mix and slosh the water inside the bottles and the separation of the sand, water, and oil is suppose to emulate the ocean. *We got real sand from the beach and it may not have been such a good idea because the dirt in the sand made the water and oil pretty dirty so the end result wasn’t pretty to look at. So next time, we’ll just do it without the sand. But the kids thought they were cool, so that’s all that counts.
This is what that was suppose to look like:

The ones we did were not so pretty.

 
When Tania took over, the kids made their own aquariums:




This project carried us to end of co op. While the kids where working on their aquariums, Tania was using her superior sewing skills to make the kids sock octupi. Here is Hayzel’s:

Hayzel LOVES him, and I had to pry it out of his hands while he was sleeping so I could take this picture. Thanks Tania!

The kids seemed to genuinely enjoy all the activities we did, and I'm so relieved. Its a little daunting to host a co op for the 6 and under crowd because you never know if they'll be interested or not.
Now I don't have to worry about anything for the next month as far as little co op is concerned. For big co op, its my turn to host next, so yikes! Another worry.

Haverhill Library Tour

On Monday 09/17 we went with a group of friends on a tour of Haverhill Library.  Hayzel learned how the books are classified, how to check them in and out, and how to use the online catalog system. They have a pretty cool electronic system and I had library envy because Salem’s library hasn’t upgraded to that system. Hayzel and I picked up a few good tips. It was a pretty interesting tour.

Ms. Alyssa was a great tour guide!

Learning how to use the self-check out.

They had a pretty cool self sorter

After completing a scavenger hunt, he got a bookmark.

First Day of School 2012

September 4, 2012 was our first day of Kindergarten here at Oak Ridge.
We had a few outside activities planned as well as some sit down work.
First on the agenda was a photo session at Kiddie Kandids for Hayzel’s 5 year old pictures.

Yes, I know I’m 5 months overdue, but I did that on purpose. I swear. I like to wait for the end of the summer so he can show off his stupendous tan.
See:

Here is his entire outfit.

Here are some of the proofs:


Afterwards we came home for a few hours to some school work. Hayzel worked on Language Arts using T4L and did a few worksheets that consist of words with the –sh sound.



Next we went with C and J to a new friend’s house for a Young Explorers meeting. Young Explorers is a science club made up of other homeschooled children in southern NH. The meeting was originally supposed to take place at the park, but the rain kept us indoors. The host, Rachel, did a presentation on Blood. Pretty interesting. Hayzel behaved really well and paid attention throughout.

See the tan? Flawless.

The kids had a great time and met some new friends.

Finally, Hayzel and I went to the library to return some books that were due and played around for a bit.


We also picked up a few books on oceans, tidepools, and showing respect;  all of which are subjects we will be learning throughout this month.
Here is a pic of our library loot:

A great start to what will be a great year!

Park and Library

The summer days are winding down. We’re trying to soak in as much warmth and sunshine as possible.
On Tuesday, Hayzel joined C and J at the park.









During a game of hide-and-seek, we had a wardrobe malfunction.

He was very sad about that, because he has been favoring those sandals lately. Shortly after this, we left the park and headed over to the library, which is right down the street. I found a lone sandal in my car and improvised.

The kids spent a good hour happily playing in the children’s room.








During this visit, I picked up this book to read out loud to Hayzel:

This book holds a very special place in my heart. I give it credit for introducing me to my love of reading. My  3rd grade teacher started reading this book to us and didn’t get to finish it before the school year was over.  I had to find out the ending, so with the help of a librarian I took out my first library card that summer. I also remember it was the only book I took out that day. Ever since then, I have never borrowed just one book in a single visit to the library.
I can’t wait to share this special book with Hayze, and hopefully he likes it as much as I did.