It’s Tuesday, December 3, 2019, and time for Science in our Homeschool classroom! I would like to ask you to check out the Recommended Websites: . If you have used these resources let me know what you thought of them and why.
Recommended Website:
Science Sparks – Christmas Science
Age Range: 5-13 (Grades K-8, with parental supervision) We’ve recently reviewed other parts of this website but we thought with the season upon us it would be appropriate to spotlight these 20 Christmas-themed science experiments.
You’ll find experiments for the kitchen, the playroom and even outside. These are fun and there is something here that everyone will enjoy!
In the kitchen enjoy these:
- Make some spiced apple cider and explore filtering at the same time.
- Make lovely mint-flavored chocolate leaves and learn about changes of state.
- Create fizzing Christmas trees or gingerbread men.
In the playroom try:
- a Christmas themed magnet or marble maze.
- How about making jumping snowmen or Christmas trees using static electricity?
- Designing some symmetrical Christmas trees.
- Making a Christmas-themed Optical Illusion.
Outside explore:
- Create wonderful ice ornaments.
- Work out how tall your Christmas tree is without measuring it.
There is much more here including activities for younger children. Bookmark this page and use it throughout the holiday season.
Recommended Website: Thanksgiving!
Age Range: 8-18 (Grades 3-12, with parental supervision) Visit this website and amaze your Thanksgiving dinner guests with scientific knowledge of the chemical composition and scientific aspects of the feast!
At this site, you will learn The Chemistry of Thanksgiving Dinner! Listen to a 3-minute audio clip in which professors talk about proteins, peptides, alkenes, amino acids, tryptophan and more. Discover the chemistry and molecular structure lurking in your Thanksgiving dinner.
Also check out:
How Pop-Up Turkey Timers Work
How does this little device imitate a thermometer?
Everyday Mysteries: Sweet Potato or Yam?
Learn the scientific difference between a sweet potato and a yam.
The Chemical Make-Up of a Potato
Discover the chemical content and nutritional value of a potato. Do green potatoes really contain a deadly toxin?
Recommended Website:
Age Range: 5-10 (Grades K-5 approximately, with parental supervision)
Check out the website published by the American Chemical Society where you can download lesson plans with activities that teach chemistry and physical science.
When you get to the website, choose from
- Kindergarten Lessons
- Grade 2 Lessons
- Grade 5 Lessons
In kindergarten, you can investigate the weather – What makes it rain or snow? What is wind? The second grade lessons include Float and Sink, Heating and Cooling and more. And in fifth grade, students can conduct experiments with M&M’s in water, and much more!
Be sure to check out Educational Resources from the top menu as well. This site is a great way to introduce chemistry and physics through engaging activities.
The Science of Cranberry Sauce
Find out why cranberry sauces that use the same ingredients produce different results. Why does one become a gelatin?
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
