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Simple Heat Conduction Experiment with Air is Not Oxygen!

February 11, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

How many of you parents are extremely comfortable with teaching science? And I mean extremely comfortable.

If you’re not, you’re not alone! I’m not much of a science buff myself. I got good grades in it as a kid, but I haven’t really ever been interested in it. (Except for astronomy. Astronomy is awesome.)

So when it comes to teaching science, I find it hard to get a good grasp of the concepts so I can teach them to my kids. And that’s why I was thrilled to get a chance to review a great science book and try some of the activities, including a simple heat conduction experiment!

Read on to see why I loved this book and to see one of the included hands-on activities!

Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for this post and I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Simple Heat Conduction Experiment

Science Concepts for the Non-Scientific Parent

As I mentioned earlier, I’m not super comfortable with science. And what’s worse – I’ve forgotten most of what I did learn in school. Fortunately, I’ve recently gotten a copy of the book Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned … But Probably Didn’t! and I have to say: It. Is. Incredible.

It’s a thorough overview of several scientific concepts, including light, heat, animal behaviors, and more. So it’s a good introduction or re-introduction to the same things you and I learned in school.

I had so many “Ohhhhh!” moments reading this book. For example, when Dr. Morelan talks about heat, he explains that you can generate heat through physical or chemical reactions. And for a physical reaction example, he tells you to rub your hands together (warming them) and then wave them in the air (cooling them).

Now did you ever think of that as friction or an example of how heat is generated? I didn’t!

And the book is written in a witty, conversational manner that just makes sense. I actually found my husband reading it later. That’s how good it is.

Simple Heat Conduction Experiment

After I read the section about how heat is generated with the kids, we tried one of the experiments in the book to observe heat conduction in action.

What is heat conduction? It’s how heat travels from one object to another. For example, when you touch something made of metal, it feels cold, right? Know why?

Because the metal is sucking the heat out of your body! For real! Just another thing I learned from Air is Not Oxygen. (Seriously, buy it now. You’ll be glad you did.)

It turns out that metal is an excellent heat conductor. And to test that statement, the book recommends experimenting by comparing to two other materials to see which one conducts heat the best. We took butter and spread it onto a plastic spoon, a metal spoon, and a pencil.

Heat Conduction Experiment Supplies

Then we stood all three up in a glass and added hot water.

Conducting Heat Conduction Experiment

Like so.

Heat Conduction Experiment Setup

And slowly but surely, the butter on the metal spoon began to soften.

Heat Conduction Experiment Stage 1

We watched with bated breath…

Observing Heat Conduction Experiment

Until it finally melted!

Heat Conduction Experiment Comparison

The butter on the pencil softened, but the butter on the plastic stayed fairly firm.

Heat Conduction Experiment Stage 2

Yep. There’s no doubt that metal is the best conductor of the three. Science works!

Heat Conduction Experiment Stage 3

This whole experiment took about half an hour. And most of that was spent in the observation phase. It was a really simple science experiment and a great way to “see” science in action.

And I finally understand what heat conduction is!

Heat Conduction Science Experiment

To brush up on science concepts and give your kids a chance to try a fun and simple heat conduction experiment, get your copy of Air is Not Oxygen from Amazon!

For more science fun, check out my It’s Science board on Pinterest!

And you can get even more ideas for teaching all kinds of homeschooling subjects, including science, in the book “The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas” from iHomeschool Network!

The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas by iHomeschool Network

Filed Under: Curriculum Reviews, Science Tagged With: book reviews, science, science experiments, simple science experiments

Simple STEM Challenges with Hands-On Engineering!

July 29, 2015 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’ve set a few homeschooling goals this upcoming school year and one is to include more STEM learning with the kids. My biggest problem is that my passions include literature, writing, and dance – basically everything that is the opposite of STEM….lol.

So I was excited to try the book “Hands-On Engineering” from Prufrock Press! If you’re unsure how you can set up STEM learning at home, this is a great resource for simple STEM challenges!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

Simple STEM Challenges with Hands-On Engineering

In “Hands-On Engineering“, you get complete teacher instructions, project descriptions, internet resource links, and student activity sheets. It’s almost a no-prep solution to planning STEM activities. 🙂

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

The resource is described as appropriate for grades 4-7 and I can see why. Some of the projects are fairly detailed and require a good amount of critical thinking from kids. But I decided to use it with all three of our school-age kids – just to see.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

The teacher resources are fabulous. There are diagrams, explanations, Internet links, and summaries that give you a good background of each activity.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

We settled on the Build a Catapult challenge from the book, and that involved getting an understanding of how a lever works. I drew the same diagram from the Instructor Key on the board and we talked about the essential parts of a lever.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

Then the kids sketched their own diagrams. Afterward, we used some of the internet links listed in the Teacher’s activity sheet for the catapult activity.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

We watched a video showing how ancient catapults (or “onagers”) were assembled and we talked about some of the advantages and challenges they posed for armies in battle. Then it was time for the kids to build their own catapult!

Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Math!
Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

One thing I really like about “Hands-On Engineering” is that there are no detailed instructions on how to build the item in question. As a result, the kids were forced to try various methods, brainstorm ideas, and cooperate. Among the list of available supplies were rubber bands, clothespins, popsicle sticks, and plastic spoons.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

What really impressed me was that, of all three children, Pooh (our almost seven-year-old) was the first to build a working catapult!

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

We rounded up all of the pennies in the house and, before I knew it, it was raining pennies from heaven…lol.

Simple STEM Challenges - Look! We're Learning!

Look at that face. That is the face of a boy who is extremely pleased with himself.

Once Pooh figured out the basic design of a catapult, the other kids made their own. But then they started hitting the chandelier in my dining room with their pennies, so they were banished to the living room. After all, engineers have to learn to work in all kinds of environments. 😉

I loved Hands-On Engineering and I’m looking forward to making more of the projects with the kids this school year! If you’d like to try to build a catapult or any of the other simple STEM challenges in “Hands-On Engineering“, check out the book for yourself!

Filed Under: 2015-16 Curriculum, Curriculum Reviews, Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschooling, STEM for Homeschoolers Tagged With: book reviews, engineering, homeschooling, stem, stem for homeschoolers

Exploring Mexico for Kids with Pack-n-Go Girls Books

June 23, 2015 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

Hi everyone! This week our Laugh and Learn linky is going global!  We’re sharing a review of one of the entries in the Pack-n-Go Girls Books: “Mystery of the Disappearing Dolphin.” We decided to use the book as a springboard to exploring Mexico for kids!

As you might know, Tina and her family live in Mexico, so be sure to head over to her blog Los Gringos Logos (listed below) if you want to learn even more about the country. 😉

In addition, we’ve all chosen our favorite posts from last week’s linky. Read the features and then check out the newest parenting and homeschooling posts below!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Exploring Mexico for Kids

Exploring Mexico for Kids

When I read the description of the Pack-n-Go Girls book series, I knew it would be a great fit for Tigger. She loves to read, she loves learning about world cultures, and she really loves books with female characters. Win-win-win! 🙂

Mystery of the Disappearing Dolphin

Naturally, we started our lesson by reading the book.

Exploring Mexico for Kids with Pack-n-Go Girls Books

I have to say: It’s a very well written book. Izzy, the lead character, is traveling on a sailboat with her mom and dad. They’re docked in Barra de Navidad, Mexico, where she’s made friends with Patti, a Mexican girl who lives nearby.

After Izzy’s uncle, who is uncomfortable with other cultures, comes to visit, the trip takes a turn for the worse, especially when Izzy is accused of stealing a handmade glass dolphin from the local market. We talked about the value and beauty of handmade items with the kids. Coincidentally, a dear friend of ours just returned from Mexico last week and brought our kids some handmade toys.

Exploring Mexico for Kids with Pack-n-Go Girls Books

Aren’t they gorgeous? I’m seriously considering placing them on the mantle and never letting them play with them all. 🙂

Exploring Mexico for Kids with Pack-n-Go Girls Books

After reading the book, we gathered around the computer to learn even more about Mexico and dolphins.

 

We took a virtual tour of La Merced, the famous outdoor market in Mexico City, so the kids could get a look at the huge variety of things that are available for sale.

 

Then we watched this video showing pictures of Barra de Navidad. Unlike Izzy’s uncle, I don’t think I’d ever complain if I had the chance to visit. It looks absolutely beautiful.

 

Finally, we watched a very interesting video from National Geographic Live about the way dolphins communicate with one another. Scientists are discovering that they have very advanced methods for cooperating and feeding. It’s a little advanced for younger kids, but you can definitely watch pieces and look at the pictures. (That’s pretty much what we did…lol.)

Exploring Mexico for Kids with Pack-n-Go Girls Books

Finally, we headed to the table to draw pictures of dolphins based on the pictures we saw. It was a great lesson, an adorable book, and a wonderful way to begin exploring Mexico for kids!

To learn even more about Pack-n-Go Girls and support the Kickstarter campaign (Open through June 25), click the image below! 🙂

Exploring Mexico for Kids with Pack-n-Go Girls Books

Now for the linky!

Come join us every Tuesday for our Laugh and Learn Linkup! You are welcome to share any Parenting or Homeschool link. You will enjoy all the great links! #LaughLearnLinkUp #Homeschool #Parenting #Blog #Mom #Bloggers

Welcome to our 38th week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!
Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning. We will pick our five favorite posts and feature them on the following weeks linkup. Be sure to link your best content and maybe we will pick you! When you link your post with us it will be featured on five blogs.

We pin our favorites to a special Pinterest board for #laughlearnlinkup – homeschool and parenting posts. Check the board out here: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina
Me and SawyerBadge

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena
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Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram

Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help moms learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids and funny things that happen. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Pinterest
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

Lindsey
mygravatarlogopic simply-lindsey-loo

Lindsey is a joyful mother, happy homeschooler, scatterbrained housewife, and passionate blogger. She writes about the joys and challenges of home educating, conscientious parenting, and “loving the simple life”. Get inspired with Lindsey at Simply LindseyLoo.

Find Lindsey at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook

Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest

Our Favorite Posts for the Week of June 22th:

Hands-on Homeschooling: Outdoor Language Arts Games

Hands-on Homeschooling: Outdoor Language Arts Games

Reduce Screen Time With These 3 Easy Steps

Reduce Screen Time With These 3 Easy Steps

10 Tips on How to Paint to Music

10 Tips on How to Paint to Music

PRE-HOMESCHOOL YEAR PLANNING CHECKLIST – 7 STEP HOMESCHOOL PLANNER

PRE-HOMESCHOOL YEAR PLANNING CHECKLIST – 7 STEP HOMESCHOOL PLANNER

PATIENCE, CONFIDENCE, KNOWING ALL THE ANSWERS – NOT REQUIRED TO HOMESCHOOL

PATIENCE, CONFIDENCE, KNOWING ALL THE ANSWERS – NOT REQUIRED TO HOMESCHOOL

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the posts above by clicking on the image.
[bctt tweet=”Come join the #laughlearnlinkup and share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post!”]

Now, let’s see your best posts for this week, so we can share them as next week’s favorites!

An InLinkz Link-up


Filed Under: Blog Hops, Book Reviews, Geography, Laugh and Learn Linky Tagged With: book reviews, geography, kids books, laugh and learn linky, mexico, reading

Hi! I'm Selena, a teacher and a veteran homeschool mom to four. I'm so glad you're here!
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