Science: Last week we began Apologia's Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (Young Explorer Series). Lauren was especially excited about the fact that I had purchased the full color student notebooks to go with the book.
We learned a lot about cells this week. And by "we" I do mean myself included. I learn all sorts of things when I teach my kids. The girls drew cells and labeled different cell parts. What I loved about this activity was that the book broke it down into very doable parts, had a sample drawing for each added part, and had great "velcro" to help stick each organelles' job into the kids' memories. For example, the lysosome "patrols" are like the policemen of the cell because they keep the cell safe. (I won't go into more details, but the book does explain it in more detail.) Ashley remembered that one every time we reviewed what we'd learned.
The highlight of science: making edible cells using jello and CANDY! Although Lauren was bummed because she couldn't eat the endoplasmic reticulum (fruit roll-up) or the mitochondria (jellybeans) due to her newly acquired expander in her mouth.
The jello didn't hold its shape very well when we poured it out of the bowls, but I don't think we let it chill long enough. And I kind of missed the part (even WITH written directions and a picture) that you were to add the organelles while the jello was still in the bowl and THEN dump it out.
On the soccer front, Lauren had another amazing game and continues to surprise us with her aggressiveness. She was doing some pretty fancy footwork and was able to score several goals. I did not keep track of the number, but it was at least four. Last week it was six or seven goals. We're trying to balance the joy of that for her while still helping her stay humble and gracious. And Ashley is just as cute as can be running and kind of hopping/skipping down the field. She was all smiles and shot me a couple of "thumbs up" signals. 
The girls also practiced a little soccer in the backyard. DH made them some soccer goals out of PVC pipe and plastic fencing. We used the instructions from this site, but got plastic fencing rather than a real net because they are expensive. The girls had a great time! And can you tell we could REALLY use some rain? The grass in all of the soccer pictures is so brown and dry!
3 comments:
I am so doing anatomy next year. So cruel that Lauren couldn't eat the best parts.
LeeAnn did the same thing with the jello when she did it a while back. LOL Those directions must be in fine print.
Sounds like such fun and lasting learning! (It's worth those occasional few tears you experience on that way)
forgot to sign,
Love, Aunt Shirley & Grandma
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