by Megan Bittner A wonderful part of homeschooling is drawing on your own day-to-day experiences and using the lessons to instill a life-long appreciation of learning. Casual summer lessons can be just as productive as structured schoolwork. These hot summer days often result in the perfect illustration for some homeschool science fun. Check out these thunderstorm science experiments, learn how to make lightning in a bottle, and more in this Homeschool Living. Casual Summer Lessons of Homeschool Science Why are there more thunderstorms in the summer? Learn why summer weather conditions are more conducive to the flash and bang of thunderstorms, and how they interact to create such natural spectacles. You can use simple food coloring and water to illustrate...
Around 1900, the famed Baedeker’s travel guide began listing a new tourist sight in Freeville, New York: the “George Junior Republic,” a miniature United States run by kids. The invention of philanthropist William R. George, the “junior republic” was mostly occupied by impoverished or immigrant teenagers from New York City, acting as politicians, judges, police officers, journalists, and other workers, in their own separate civic world. George thought this would instill American democratic values in Freeville’s young residents. “This interesting experiment seems to work well, and a visit to Freeville rivals in sociological interest that to Ellis Island,” the Baedeker’s guide stated. Indeed, “George’s idea caught on like wildfire,” says MIT Professor Jennifer Light. Soon junior republics were springing up...
You may know the light, cream-filled dessert as cream puffs. Some might call it profiteroles. Whatever you call it, the base of the dessert is choux pastry, or pâte à choux in French. And understanding the science behind choux pastry is the key to baking it successfully. The most important rule for choux pastry is that you must never, ever open the oven while it bakes. I know how tempting it is to crack open the oven door and take a peek. But doing so will deflate your choux pastry. A lot of people are afraid to tackle the pâte à choux, but it’s quite simple! Even my kids were able to make their own after I helped them with...
I love everything about smoothies and juices. They're healthy, they give me a daily excuse to eat my fruits and vegetables and they're portable. But most of all, they're fast! I don't know about you, but my whole household could have been up since 5 am, yet somehow, the hours between 8 am and 9 am just vaporize, in a split second. Amiright?! My sons consume at least one meal and two snacks before 9 am. But me, I'm existing—barely—on a room temperature cup of coffee. With a little bit of prep, and a few minutes to throw it together, you can avoid the "Why do I have such a headache, oh wait I forgot to eat breakfast, again" conversation...
Summer is still here and you might be running out of activities for the young people in your life. Whether you are looking for projects to tie-in with your homeschooling curriculum or just want a fun STEM project to pass the time on a hot summer day, these titles will inspire you. Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities by Kristan Lawson Try your hand at a Darwin-inspired activity with this book by Kristan Lawson. It’s a great title to pair-up with Deborah Heiligman’s Charles and Emma. Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities by Kerrie Logan Hollihan Activities are a great way to learn the principles of physics. Read...
