Welcome to Saturday School, my weekly look into the practical side of homeschooling. Feel free to leave a link in the comment section if you have shared any practical ideas recently! A couple weeks ago, I shared instructions for making a circle book out of paper plates, and Julie of Shanan Trail noted she would probably forget before her children were old enough for that project. So here is one based on the same idea, but for younger children.
Also using paper plates, this simple project is perfect for teaching anything cyclical. My Pre-K kids made these while learning about frog metamorphosis and here, we are learning about the water cycle. With help, even a two year old can participate.
Materials:
Two paper plates
Coloring sheet(s) of four stages of desired cycle (optional)
Brad (optional)
Procedure:
1. Divide the paper plates into quarters. Set one aside.
2. Color the cycle worksheet, or draw the steps in order in each quadrant of the paper plate.
3. Cut out each step and glue them in the appropriate quadrant, if using a coloring sheet.
4. Cut one quarter of the second paper plate out.
5. Lay this on top of the other plate. Attach with a brad if desired. It will spin, revealing each stage of the cycle for your child to explain to you.
Nothing revolutionary, but all three of my children enjoy this project.
More practical posts I have noticed:
This was intended for Thanksgiving, but Mom is Teaching’s book idea could be easily adapted for any holiday or event.
Martinzoo is detecting starch in foods.
Maybe not educational, but certainly delicious: Santa pancakes! I wonder how any interesting things children could make with a bowl of berries, pancakes and some whipped cream?
Enjoy your Saturday, and feel free to share any of your practical ideas through a link in the comments.
I homeschool my children on a small hobby farm in rural Nebraska and write about life more abundantly, from the joy of a baby's smile to the almost unbearable grief of losing a son while seeking beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3)
What a nifty Saturday School idea, Dana. The shiny brad alone would be enough to thrill my children immensely
When you do hands on projects like these and the circuit math thing you did a few weeks back, do you also read a book or two on the subject? Or do you just discuss with the children from your own knowledge base? When I read this post I immediately thought of a book we have called Down Comes the Rain. http://www.amazon.com/Down-Comes-Lets-Read-Find-Out-Science/dp/0064451666
By the way, I finally got the button for the Homeschool Network up on my blog. Sorry it took so long.
Thanks for sharing your fun rain plates
Blessings,
Jacci
It depends…these are activities I did when I was teaching so we mostly talk about them and use these activities to cement their knowledge.
Don’t worry about taking awhile getting the button up!
And thanks for the book suggestion. I haven’t read that one, I don’t think!
And I should say my three older children enjoy this! The baby enjoys trying to get into the stuff, though!
Oh, you mean I should teach the younger ones stuff.
I have really struggled this year adjusting to them being part of our lessons. Before they just played or napped. Now they want to be in the middle of it all.
Bug is doing pretty well concentrating though. Much of his work can be done independently, so it’s time for me to step up the activities with the girls. This is a nice, simple one. Thanks!
Dana, you are right! I will probably be able to remember this… and I think I have about 100 brads. When I was teaching Sunday School, we had a lesson about ladybugs and mosquitoes. I think the moral was supposed to be about how to be a good friend. Anyway, the craft we did was a ladybug whose wings opened to reveal that weeks verse. I had to buy a whole box of brads and I think I used about 4.
Hey! Another cool project! I’ve done that one, although not with a verse. I don’t think my school would have looked to kindly upon that.
We have Saturday school on Tuesdays, since that is DH’s half day at work. My dd and I do Home Ec-ish stuff, and my 11 yob goes to work with Dad, which is so cool.
We are totally into Martha Stewart right now. We have been watching some of her DVDs from the library and doing alot of holiday crafts. I couldn’t believe how many really child-friendly crafts she has on her show and website. And of course I love seeing what other HSers are doing on their Saturdays!
Thanks! And yes, I have seen some really cool stuff from her. She had a carwash made out of boxes and old bottle brushes that was really neat I’d love to make with my son!