More experiments with Electricity

Ellie talks about Electricity

We started using some science kits made by ScienceWiz.  Both Paige and Ellie work with them at the same time - Paige helping with the instructons and Ellie doing the practical parts.

The Electricity kit includes all the materials you will need to make the activity fun and engaging.  Here were some of the favourites:

• Make a battery from lemons and coins
• Build an electromagnet
• Make an electric motor

These kits are available online but we were able to purchase them at a local hobby shop:
http://www.modellandcom/

Paige now has her own blog

Check it out at

http://paigey5000.blogspot.com/

What is Electricity?

Ellie got a toy that teaches about the Solar System.  The red ball represents the Sun which is supposed to light up when the toy turns on.  An effort to fix the bulb turned into a lesson on electricity!

My toy isn't working - let's fix it

OK. Is this battery a good one?

This one is good!  1.5 volts is normal for a new battery.

This one is not so hot

Well at least we got the Halloween flashlight working

Corel painter essentials - develop communication skills

One way the world could end is when the sun grows into a Red Giant

Paige is quite interested in astronomy and also loves art.  She is entering Grade 6. Our task is to help her to communicate her (very deep) thoughts.  This picture above shows the expected fate of earth billions of years from now as the sun reaches the end of its life.

She preferred to draw this on the computer with the captioned software and a graphics tablet.

Drawing and writing sample - a good gauge of progress

Sample work for Noelle - just starting Grade 2

We want to keep this sample so we can baseline her progress.  It is quite a challenge to get her to write. However, she is quite enthusiastic with reading and math.

Educational software titles - Some of our favorites

Mia Science

Mia Reading

Mia Math

Jump Start first grade - categorized results

We love the Mia series - Math, Reading, Science & Language .Each title has an Adventure mode or activities which can be selected.

Pros: Very interactive and animated

Cons: Only a few titles allow you to gauge your child's progress with a report

Jump Start is a tried and true educational software provider.

Pros: Great reporting feature

Cons: Quality of graphics 

Ellis Bird Farm - Experience nature and learn something too!

This was one of the best day trips we did this summer.  The Ellis Bird Farm is a great destination for exploring nature and would be appropriate for many grade levels.

Bugs and crawlies - learn about the eco system in a pond

The visitor center

Find your creature on the chart 

Scoop out your very own swamp goop

Hrmmm - can you eat any of these?

Paige at the visitor center

Ellie and the rabbits

My own pics

Close up of the rabbit - maybe the other end?

A porcupine!

Guess who?

Time to feed the sheep

Goats need feeding too, yuh know..

Aren't you a bit big to be feeding with a bottle?

"Watcha got in the bag, there?"

A big thumbs up for this attraction!

Other recommended spots on the way back to Calgary:
http://www.discoverywildlifepark.com/ - home of many "movie star" animals. Excellent grounds, friendly staff
http://www.homestylebeverages.com/berry/about.htm - ice cream, pies, lemonades with natural ingredients