Showing posts with label homeschool science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool science. Show all posts

Magnifier Lamp for DIY Crafting, Sewing, Drawing, and Reading

Magnifier Lamp for Intricate Art and Sewing DIY Projects


I was given a magnifier lamp for review. All opinions are my own.  
This post contains affiliate links. Click, make a purchase, and I get a small commission.

Brightech is an LA based lighting company that specializes in awesome magnifier lamps. Who needs a magnifier lamp? You do! Your grandma does when she's quilting, you do when your trying to thread a needle, artists do to make intricate designs, homeschoolers need one for science investigations, jewelers do when doing beadwork, your grandpa does when he's trying to do his favorite crossword puzzle, the possibilities are endless. No more magnifying glass. A magnifier lamp is the perfect tool for DIY crafting, sewing, drawing, and reading!


Magnifier Lamp for DIY Crafting, Sewing, Drawing, and Reading


If you have a budding artist, this magnifying glass lamp is the bomb! The light is adjustable. Just grab the handy handle and move it to the desired position. The light flicks on with the press of  a button on the top of the magnifier lamp. Get your own lamp here: Brightech Magnifier Lamp.


magnifier floor lamp



Whether it's light or dark, your magnifier lamp is there to help! We currently use it for artwork, but we are anxious to try it for homeschool science investigations and when my tired, old eyes need to thread a needle. You can even get these magnifier lamps with a rolling base. Wish we would have made that choice, because they are sturdy, durable, and somewhat heavy.


lamp for artists


magnifier lamp for sewing projects art projects crafting



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Magnifier Lamp for Crafting, Sewing, Drawing, and Reading


So, how would you use a magnifier lamp? Tell us about it in the comments. 



Recommended:

Homeschool Art Projects

For ambient lighting try this Amber Glass Sconce.

Get your own lamp here: Brightech Magnifier Lamp.




Visit Telescope Indiana: IU Link Observatory

Homeschool Science Field Trip: Visit the Link Telescope


If you are looking for something different to do in Indiana, visit the IU Link Observatory Telescope between Mooresville and Martinsville, Indiana. It's a one tank trip from most places in Indiana, and it makes a great homeschool science field trip. Psst... It's not just for homeschoolers and science junkies. Architects, historians, and gardeners will love it too! Keep reading to find out why.





The Link Observatory is a magnificent piece of architecture in a beautiful setting. It sits atop a hill adjacent to a Daffodil garden. Completed in 1939, for Dr. Goethe Link, the domed structure is made of local wood from the property. The dome swivels for a panoramic view of the night sky. Until the 1980's the observatory was used for astronomical research. However, as the the city lights of Indianapolis grew, it made star viewing increasingly difficult.





The adjacent Daffodil garden is the perfect setting for a family picnic, to catch up on reading, to walk your dog, or to paint the gorgeous landscape. The day we visited, an artist was painting a lovely watercolor painting of the dome.







And this happened in 2018, Indiana native, David Wolf, electrical engineer, medical doctor, and astronaut, joined the Link Observatory Space Science Institute staff as Chief Science Officer. Dr. Wolf works with the Institute on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educational programming, public engagement, and fundraising.






Link live events take place at area libraries. You can also invite them to do a program at your school, camp, or other event. Check the Link Telescope Event Calendar for activities at the observatory and within the surrounding communities. The Link Observatory is free to the public on the 1st Saturday of each month for night sky viewing and the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm for daytime tours of the telescope and facility.


















We visited on a free Thursday. The docent was full of fun facts, science humor, and shared the interesting history of the observatory. It seems Mrs. Goethe planted and cultivated the Daffodils. There are several different species, still blooming after all of these years. 


Tips for your Visit:

Don't expect anyone to greet you at the door. Just walk in and head up the steps to see the telescope.

If you visit during the day, pack a picnic lunch. You can tour the facility in under 20 minutes, but be sure to let the guide share the telescope's history with you. We even got a demonstration of the dome pivoting around its track.

When you're done, head over to Martinsville to visit the Martinsville Candy Kitchen or the Martinsville Farmer's Market.



Recommended:

Indiana: Between Camby and Moorseville on State Rd. 67 visit the Dr. Who Store and Museum

For more one tank trips and family friendly vacation ideas follow us on Instagram or check out our  Things to Do on Vacation page.

Click here to find some cool kids telescopes.



Plant and Animal Cell Lesson with Pizza Project


Pizza Plant and Animal Cell Lesson Plan


Plant and Animal Cell Lesson: Got a homeschooler Studying Biology? Hungry? Here's a fun way to learn the parts of a cell and prep lunch at the same time. Make a PLANT CELL PIZZA project. This can also be used as classroom or science fair or 4H project. We've included links to companion worksheets and learning packs. Enjoy!

 Post contains affiliate links.

Plant and Animal Cell Lesson with Pizza Project
Animal and Plant Cell Lesson Plan and Pizza Project.

We saw this plant cell pizza project at the world's best Children's Museum in Indianapolis. 

Companion Lesson Activity: Label Plant Cell Worksheet

Encouraging Moms at Home offers a great FREE Plant and Animal Cell Printable learning pack with great worksheets that include a Venn diagram and awesome charts. After clicking the link above, scroll to the bottom of their page for your free plant and animal pack download. (Recommended for 4-6 grade, but we think older kids can benefit from it too.)

Learn about Animal Cells vs. Plant Cells





How to Make a PLANT and ANIMAL CELL Pizza


The museum's program made a pizza and used different ingredients to represent the parts of the cell. We decided to make one pizza to represent an animal cell and another pizza to represent a plant cell. You can use any ingredients you choose as long as you decide ahead of time what ingredient is what cell part. 

Don't like those options for your pizza toppings? That's okay, just remove the yucky ones before eating!

Don't know what the parts of a cell represent? Get details here: What are the parts of a cell? You can also scroll down and learn about them in our ingredient list.

You can use the following items to represent the parts of a cell.


Cytoplasm: Use sauce for your cytoplasm.
Nucleus: Large and round, use a slice of tomato, avocado, or salami.
Ribosomes: Small and colorful, use riced broccoli, diced green onions, bacon bits, or shredded carrots. Sprinkle around the cell.
Mitochondria: Black, italian sausage ground beef, olive slices, black beans 
Golgi Bodies: Use red or green peppers, pineapple, or carrot swirls.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Use sliced of mushrooms or peppers.
Vacuole: Can be anything or nothing! Push a whole in your dough.
Chloroplasts: Only for plant cells. Use anything green: green peppers, green olives, or green onions.
Membrane and Cell Wall: Form a wall with sea salt, herbs, (basil or oregano) or cheese.
We used the following:


Label parts of cell with pizza toppings



  • 2 premade pizza crusts - Boboli works great!
  • Pizza sauce - cytoplasm. The jelly-like substance that suspends the cell organelles
  • Mozzarella cheese - cell membrane. The membrane that surrounds the cell and controls what substances enter and leave the cell.
  • Cheddar cheese - cell wall. A rigid structure on the outside of plant cells.
  • Tomato slice - nucleus.  The part of the cell containing the DNA.
  • Italian Seasoning - ribosomes. Organelles responsible for protein manufacture.
  • Mushrooms - mitochondria. Organelles responsible for converting nutrients to energy (respiration).
  • Sliced red pepper - golgi body. Organelle which stores, modifies, and transports proteins and lipids.
  • Pepperoni - endoplasmic reticuli. Organelles which perform several tasks within the cell. Rough ER and dotted with ribosomes, while smooth ER are not.  
  • Ham - vacuoles. Fluid-filled cavity within the cell serving a variety of purposes. The central vacuole of a plant cell maintains its pressure and keeps it rigid.
  • Sausage - lysosomes. Organelles found in animal cells that break down nutrients into smaller pieces (digestion).
  • Black olives - leucoplasts. Plant cell organelles that store starches and oils.
  • Green olives - chloroplasts. Plant cell organelles that contain pigments for photosynthesis. 
  • Celery - centriole. Animal cell organelles that aid in cell mitosis.

Bake on pizza pan according to package directions or 400 degrees until cheese melts. About 12 minutes.


Pizza Plant and Animal Cell Lesson Plan


Vegetarian? Make your plant cell vegetarian. 
Squash slices could replace pepperoni. 
Onion slices could replace sausage.

Want to get Creative?
Use kitchen shears to cut your ingredients into shapes to match those in your biology book or the lesson links mentioned above.


fun way to learn the parts of a cell


Have younger family members? Grab some white paper and make placemats showing the parts of the cell based on the page from your biology text or the videos and worksheets above.

Watch the process of making animal and plant cell pizzas on YouTube.





Recommended:

More online Science Lesson Plans 

Learn about Stalactites and Stalagmites


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homeschool Plant and Animal Cell Lesson with Pizza Project





Recycle Wax Candle Science Fair: Babybel Wrappers

Science Fair Project: Make Candles from Recycled Wax

Need an idea for a school science experiment worthy of the Science Fair? This recycled wax project makes a cool 4H project too. If you like to tinker and experiment with different ways of doing the same old thing, recycle wax from Babybel Cheese wrappers into candles! Just imagine- the power goes out and you've got plenty of cheese, but no candles. No worries. We've got you covered. You can make candles from scratch at home. Enjoy!



Recycle Wax Candle Science Fair: Babybel Wrappers Experiment


This post contains affiliate links.


Planet Study: Mars

Learn about Mars with Online Lessons and Worksheets

Mars. The planet all ages love. Is there the possibility of life on Mars? Will you have the opportunity to live on mars? In this Mars Planet Study, we've compiled a series of online lessons and activities for kids from preschool to high school. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.


Planet Study: Mars Lesson Homeschool


France Country Study with Worksheets

French Lessons and Worksheets for Homeschool or Classroom


If you homeschool like we do, you're probably teaching several grade levels at once. For this France Country Study Lesson, we've found worksheets and activities that work for toddlers to tweens to teens. Scroll down for Videos on the French Revolution, French Word Search Printables, Famous Artists, Art Projects, and Games they play in France. School teachers, you'll find fun classroom activities and worksheets that work in a classroom setting too. Enjoy!


This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links for your convenience.


France Country Study with Worksheets.
France Country Study with Worksheets.




Learn to speak French for Free with the Duo Lingo App or these French Language lessons.

This French Flag bookmark craft project from, Start at 5, works for preschoolers to high school.






For Elementary and Middle School, Make a Passport like this one from De Su Mama.




Make a passport printable worksheet.
Printable Passport Activity from De Su Mama.


Make an Eiffel Tower with bits of colored straws like this one from Cutting Tiny Bites. While this craft activity is fun for elementary, it also aides preschoolers in fine motor skills.



Eiffel Tower Kids' Activity.
Eiffel Tower Kids' Activity.


French History Lesson

The French Revolution











The French Revolution on BrainPop. (Must have password.)

Online Educational Game: French Revolution Time Zone X Game

French Revolution Worksheet for Middle School and High School.

Choose a Famous French Scientist and write a Biography.



Games from France



Hopscotch: This game is played outdoors on a flat, paved surface, but you can paint an old sheet or use cardboard squares to play indoors. You can also purchase a hopscotch board for indoor or outdoor play. Each player needs a small item to toss onto the hopscotch squares. Rocks or quarters work well. Not sure how to play? Get the rules to hopscotch.


Petanque: How to Play Petanque





La Semaine or "The Week"  is  played with 1 or more children with chalk and a pebble (pennies work too). Use the chalk to  draw seven squares in a row. Label each square with a day of the week.

Now, a player throws their pebble into the Monday box. If they miss, it is the next player's turn. If they hit it, they must jump on one foot to get to the stone, pick it up while still standing on one foot, and then jump back to the start.

Players repeat for each day of the week (seven times). Repeat the task every time a mistake is made. For example, they trip or hop on two feet. Game is won when one player covers all squares and makes it safely back start.

French Cricket You will need a Cricket bat or tennis racket and ball. Players stand in a circle. The first player stands with their feet together, defending the 'stumps,' which in French Cricket are the batman's legs below the knees. Now, the players in the circle take turns to bowl at the 'stumps' and the batsman must hit the ball away from them. The bowler gets clever to distract the batsman.


If the batman's legs are hit, he's out. He's also out if he moves his feet at any time from the original position. If the bowler, or any of the fielders around the circle, catch the ball before it hits the ground, the batsman is also out. Everyone takes a turn until the batsman is out. The bowler who 'stumps' the batsman takes his place.  

Worksheets


Make your own French Word Search

Muguet du 1er Mai Elementary Coloring Worksheet (First of May)

Printable Language Arts French Quotes Project for Middle School and High School



Famous French Artists










Paint like Matisse with this Still Life Art Lesson for Kids.

After you've learned all about France, get a taste of their culture and celebrate by making French Recipes. Enjoy these French cooking lessons and recipes for kids.



Recommended:

French Word Search Books

How to Make a Battery Magnet: Solenoid Science

How to Make a Magnet with a Battery Wire and Nail

If you are looking for a fun and slightly dangerous science experiment for your class or homeschool, you've come to the right place! Depending on how you attempt to make a battery magnet with a wire and a nail, this solenoid science project for kids can be a lot of fun or go very wrong. Perfect, now your kids will pay attention. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

How to Make a Battery Magnet: Solenoid Science


Open Letter to Future Homeschoolers: Free Homeschool Lesson Plans Curriculum

Free Homeschool Lesson Plans and Curriculum Resources We've Tried

Disclaimer: This is my homeschooling journey story. To avoid my open letter to future homeschoolers and the homeschool haters, just scroll down to the bottom for the free homeschool lesson plans and curriculum resources. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Enjoy!


Educational Videos for Kids YouTube

Watch YouTube for School!


We like technology. Whenever possible, we use it to educate. One of our favorite sources for educational videos is YouTube! We also use Nextflix to find movies and documentaries, but YouTube has great educational videos for kids that are designed for classroom and homeschool use. We often share lesson plans with links to our favorite educational videos. So, here are the videos we make sure to include in our weekly curriculum. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience*


Educational Videos for Kids YouTube
Our favorite Educational Videos for Kids YouTube.

We stumbled through a lot of poorly animated and lame educational videos before finding a set group of YouTubers to subcribe to. The one that sold us on YouTube educational videos for kids was the SciShow.




Subscribe Here: SciShow YouTube

Hank Green is the creator of the SciShow. They talk fast, but it is entertaining. Some say the SciShow isn't designed for kids. You'll all learn something new, that's for sure. I suggest it for tweens, teens, and adults. If you're concerned, have younger kids watch SciShow Kids.





While we were watching the SciShow, we noticed another guy who sounded and looked familiar. It is John Green, wondering where you've seen him? He's a famous author! Find more about him here: John Green.

John Green wrote The Fault in our Stars* and Paper Towns*, both of which were made into movies.

Note: John Green was born in Indiana. At the time of this post, he had moved back to the Indy area. (We're in Indiana too.)

Why is that important? Hank and John created Crash Course! These are our very favorite educational videos on YouTube.

You can watch a Crash Course in U.S. History or a Crash Course in Word History or Crash Course in almost anything. They are a very entertaining way to learn about history... quickly. Subscribe Here: Crash Course YouTube for the series of all Crash Course videos.

Here is episode one, but you don't have to watch them in order.




You can  watch a Crash Course in just about anything. Here is a Crash Course in Physics. They also have psychology courses.





For younger kids, we really like Songs of Animaniacs.

We are also big fans of Khan Academy on YouTube, but if you use it to homeschool, you'll want to go to their website. You can keep track of what you've learned and what grade level you've completed. Pretty cool. Khan Academy Lessons.

Nova is awesome for older kids, but on YouTube, you'll have to pay for it. You can find older episodes on some YouTuber's channels. Best bet, search for it on Netflix.

Here's another YouTuber, that is always creating new educational videos:





If you are like us and don't get cable, you might not be able to tune into your local PBS station. Never fear, PBS YouTube is here!

If you subscribe to Education TV channel, you'll find many of the Magic Shool Bus videos on YouTube!





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Science Online Activities: Lessons and Games

Homeschool Science Ideas for Projects, Experiments, and Lessons


Whether you are looking for Homeschool Science Fair Projects or Ideas for Experiments these online science lessons and curriculum are perfect for classroom or homeschoolers. We gather the best games, videos, printables, and science curriculum so you don't have to. Enjoy! 


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Homeschool Science Online Activities: Lessons, Projects, and Games
Homeschool Science Online Activities: Lessons and Games.


Homeschool Science Projects, Experiments, and Lesson Ideas:



Recommended:




Albert Einstein Video and Lesson Plans for Kids

Einstein Online Lessons and Science Projects

You've probably heard of Albert Einstein. For sure, you've seen his iconic image. You know he was smart, but the true facts about Einstein will likely surprise you. Learn all about the most famous scientist in history with these Albert Einstein videos, lessons, and science project experiments for kids. We also found a Quantum Physics mod for Minecraft. Oh, yes we did. Enjoy!


Albert Einstein Video and Lesson Plans for Kids
Albert Einstein Video and Lesson Plans for Kids.


Did you know the 99th element, discovered after Einstein's death, is called Einsteinium? Learn more about it here: Albert Einstein Biography

You can learn about Albert Einstein by reading this fun book about the scientist, I am Albert Einstein, by Brad Meltzer. Scroll down to get the book through our affiliate link*.


I am Albert Einstein by Brad Meltzer.
I am Albert Einstein by Brad Meltzer.


Facts about Albert Einstein








Fun Cartoon about Albert Einstein from Brainpop.

Albert Einstein cartoon video for kids from Brainpop.
Albert Einstein cartoon video for kids from Brainpop.


Einstein Lesson Plans for Teachers.


Definition of Quantum Physics for Kids


Albert Einstein Mask Craft coming soon.



Quantum Physics Mod for Minecraft

Download qCraft Quantum Physics Mod for Minecraft







Albert Einstein coloring page with glasses.
Albert Einstein coloring page with glasses.






Science Projects:

How to Make an Electric Motor

Learn how to make an Electric Motor.
Learn how to make an Electric Motor from Education.com.



States of Matter for Kids



Learn How to Stack Liquids: Rainbow in a Jar from Steve Spangler.


Rainbow Stacking Liquids Science Experiment from Steve Spangler Science.
Rainbow Stacking Liquids Science Experiment from Steve Spangler Science.



Recommended:

The Science of Matter

I am Albert Einstein*

Electric Circuit Lesson

Universe Lesson











ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Cooking with Kids: Jake's Indiana Corny Corn Muffin Recipe for Homeschool

Homeschooling Study Natural Resources with Corn Muffin Recipe

Science? Ever had Corn Muffins with pieces of corn inside? In Kentucky and Indiana, it is a pretty common recipe. For Jake's Homeschool Social Studies project, he created a recipe using a few of Indiana's most common natural resources. Corn, of course is a number one crop. The Grandpa tried his hand at making maple syrup this year, so it found it's way into the mixing bowl too. Oh- and eggs are a natural resource anywhere. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links.


Science Lesson Natural Resources Corn Muffin Recipe
Kid Science Lesson on Corn with Corny Corn Muffin Recipe.


Kitchen Kids: Indiana Corny Corn Muffin Recipe Indiana Natural Resources
Jake's Indiana Corny Corn Muffins Recipe.

Free Printable Lesson about Corn (Download and print it.)
Free Printable Lesson about Corn (Download and print it.)



Ingredients for Jake's Corny Corn Muffins Recipe
It's easy with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix and Frozen Corn.

How to Make Indiana Corn Muffins Recipe

You will need:


1 Pkg. Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix 
1 Egg 
1/3 C. Milk 
1/4 C. Grandpa’s Homemade Maple Syrup
1 C. Corn 
Muffin pan and Paper

How to make Corn Muffins, Indiana Style:


Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
Mix the ingredients together.
Batter will be lumpy
Spoon into muffin cups, fill ¾  full.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool for 5-10 minutes.


Recommended Reading:

Hoot

Earth's Resources 

Corn by Gail Gibbons

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