A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Science

Science Experiment Fails

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My son has been working through Apologia Biology over this past semester. With his studies he is engaging in a wide variety of experiments. Sometimes he deigns to let me take part and it’s a hoot sharing the wonders of discovery with him. Every once in a while though he runs into an experiment that I simply can’t find the ingredients for or that try as he might, he can’t get to work properly. Highschool science is sometimes a challenge for him. What is a lad to do then?  What does one do with science experiment fails?

Science experiment Fails

Idea Spawned

I was actually a bit stymied by this until I read a blog post where a gal mentioned her son (I think) watching youtube videos for the experiments she didn’t have the ingredients for.   Brain fart… like seriously, why didn’t I think about that???  Don’t you think it’s a fantastic idea though?

The Problem Experiment, Solution One

We ran into this one experiment that my son sent me out shopping for.  He gave me a list for some upcoming experiments, one of which was meat tenderizer.  Well, I searched London for meat tenderizer going to several different stores and calling others.  One store was positive they had some and I had a delightful chat with a young man as we searched the store, but I ended up empty handed with lots of apologies. 🙂  

I had to tell the lad that we needed to figure out an alternative for this experiment.   I had a box DNA package that I had picked up a while back that had a recipe for making DNA so he used that.  This one used a different methodology so we figured it was worth a shot.  It was part of a kit that had a number of DNA related experiments in it. I’ve linked a couple of kits below that aren’t quite the same but close.  

Solution Two

The lad had some success with this kit.  I had wanted him to do a lab report with this experiment but watching his frustration I told him to choose a different experiment.  In the meantine it was most excellent that he could watch this experiment being done by another family. 

Watching this video below I can just imagine the fun my lad will have doing the plastic rock experiment. 

It has been such fun watching other families do some of these apologia experiments, and it’s a great back up for when we have science experiment fails, or simply lack the ingredients to do them properly. 

 I urge you to check out these experiments yourself, if only!  🙂   My son really enjoyed doing this experiment I found below. 

Solution Three: Failed Science Experiments

Our third solution to failed science experiments is simply to try again.  Sometimes you miss a step, or you timed something wrong, or random chance just had it not working. So try it again!  My lad did this with a mould experiment.  The first time he didn’t cut the cheese fine enough, the second time he did but thought he’d add a twist, and the third time he did it perfectly.  His crow of delight was totally worth all the effort.  🙂

There are so many good experiments out there.  Let not the lack of ingredients stymie you. Don’t get caught up in your science experiment fail.  Watch videos, try it an alternative method or simply try it all again.  Just do it, you’ll learn so much!

alphabet

Others in this Series

Two Mistakes to Avoid in Homeschool Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

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This post is sponsored by College Prep Science. Copyright 2020 by Greg Landry

Do you ever struggle with knowing how to teach biology, chemistry and physics to your homeschool children?   Learn more about how to do this in this sponsored post.  Some freebies for homeschool moms are included.

homeschool biology

Homeschool biology, chemistry, and physics curriculum, labs, and classes are the core of high school science and the thrust of middle school science as it prepares homeschooled students for high school level science. As a former college professor who has also taught thousands of homeschooled high school students, I believe that we should be careful at both of those levels to avoid two common mistakes:

  1. High school level homeschooled students who are likely to be college science majors should be taught very differently than students who will likely not be science majors and students who may not be attending college. 
college prep science

We created two separate types of classes to best address the biology, chemistry, and physics needs of each group – “college prep” and “life prep.” The depth, breadth, and pedagogy of many college-prep biology, chemistry and physics classes leave many “non-science” students frustrated, uninterested, and ultimately learning very little. I find that students in this situation often miss the big picture and they don’t have an overall understanding of the subject matter that is so critical in these sciences. They can’t see the forest because they’re lost in the trees. Our “life prep” classes are basic high school level classes, enable students to see the forest, and will allow them to learn science through the lens of their God-given interests and talents.”

  1. Ten years ago I originated the “pre” classes (Pre-Biology, Pre-Anatomy & Physiology, Pre-Chemistry, and Pre-Physics) as a means of minimizing the intimidation of high school level science and preparing middle school age students for specific high school level classes – rather than generalities such as “physical science” etc. This is a significant factor as they prepare for high school level science.
College Prep Science

The thrust of our Christian / creationist worldview homeschool biology, chemistry, and physics online classes (and lab curriculum) is to give homeschooled students access to science that is focused on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, process reasoning, data collection, and the graphical and written representation of research. We want to prepare competent, confident students for their remaining high school years, their college years, and life. 

  •  “College prep” online classes for students who will likely be college science majors
  • “Life prep” online classes for students who likely won’t be college science majors or likely won’t attend college
College prep science

– Homeschool Biology – College Prep (9th-12th) – Two Semester Class
– Life Prep Homeschool Biology (8th-12th) – Two Semester Class
– Homeschool Chemistry – College Prep (10th-12th) – Two Semester Class
– Life Prep Homeschool Chemistry (9th-12th) – Two Semester Class
– Life Prep Homeschool Physics (9th-12th) – Two Semester Class
– Homeschool Human Anatomy & Physiology (9th-12th) – Two Semester Class

– Homeschool Pre-Anatomy & Physiology (6th-9th) – One Semester Class
– Homeschool Pre-Chemistry (6th-9th) – – One Semester Class
– Homeschool Pre-Biology (6th-9th) – One Semester Class
– Homeschool Pre-Physics (6th-9th) – One Semester Class
– Homeschool ACT Prep Bootcamp (8th-12th)​

College prep science

In the words of a homeschool parent…

“Greg, …what you did for our daughter will have far reaching effects. You showed her that learning can be enjoyable…”
Thankful in Indiana
Jim H.

Note: These online homeschool science classes also include lab experiments and graded lab reports in Professor Landry’s virtual homeschool science laboratory. Students attend class weekly (either live or by recording), turn-in homework, and are tested on a regular basis. These classes are all inclusive and provide students with an enjoyable, comprehensive science experience.

College Prep Science

Homeschool dad, scientist, and former college professor, Greg Landry, offers live, online homeschool science classes, Homeschool ACT Prep Bootcamp, the Homeschool Mom’s Science Podcast, in-person two day science lab intensives nationwide, freebies for homeschool moms, and student-produced homeschool print publications.

We are All Greta

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Raincoast FTC

Valentia Giannella wants to inspire us to take action just like Greta has.  Together we can work to save the world.   Therefore she put together a book called We are All Greta. I took the time to read it back when I was really sick for a week.  Today I take the time offer my review for you. 

we are all Greta book review

Who Is Greta?

Greta is a 16 year old girl from Sweden.  She was an ordinary girl, enjoying life until she was 8.  At that time she noticed her parents disliked waste of electricity, food and water.  She learned about climate change and how it was affecting the planet.  By 11 years old she became depressed and was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and selective mutism.   She became very focused on climate change, so much so that she did a Ted Talk on the topic. 

What I am Reviewing

We are all Greta: Be inspired to save the world, written by Valentina Giannella is 128 pages long, written with middle schoolers in mind.   It is filled with infographics, charts, illustrations and treaties to encourage us to treat the world better in a variety of ways. 18 chapters round out We are Greta along with references and a bibliography. 

we are all Greta table of contents

The Details about We Are All Greta

18 chapters round out the pages of this stiff paperback book.

Chapter 1 tells us who Greta is and why we should care about her words.

Chapters 2-16 talk about different aspects of living the world and how they relate to climate change.   Topics include such things as living in cities, fossil fuels, water, plastic and more.  No specific action is suggested in these chapters. 

Chapter 17 gives ideas about specific things a person can do.

Chapter 18 defines words and gives links to sites. 

we are all Greta
we are all Greta
we are all Greta
we are all Greta

Pages that are coloured are ones that are encouraging action.   Turning of lights and appliances you don’t need.  Not replacing things if you don’t have to and other such advice. 

we are all Greta

Thoughts

We are all Greta is a thought-provoking book, guaranteed to get youth thinking about the world we live in and how to a thoughtful part of it.  We do need to not be wasteful or thoughtless about what we do.

My problem with the book is this.  I don’t believe in climate change.  I just don’t. So when I read books like this an inner part of me scoffs at the poor science and the fear-mongering it provides. But that said, I appreciate books that work to create thinking individuals.  People who can look at how to create sustainable agriculture with open eyes.  Individuals who can better ways of handling the waste we produce… from reducing the amount we make to better utilizing the remains of society. 

With that thought in mind, yes, please do read We are all Greta.  Stop and think about what is being talked about. Then go read some opposing opinions.  Do some indepth research.  Come to your own conclusions. And think.  Just think. 

disclosure

Gather Resources for High School Science

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We’ve talked Elementary School science and middle school science, how about today we tackle resources for high school science?   Might as well eh?  It only makes sense to finish the series!  Today I thought I would Gather Resources for High School Science.

Gather Resources for High School Science

What we are doing

Some of you may know that one of my jobs is marking papers for Tree of Life.  It’s a great organization to work for. Over the past couple of years I’ve grown to appreciate the Exploring Creation with Biology textbook. I picked up the student workbook for him and that’s what he is doing for Grade Nine Science this year. 

If we didn’t have this resource on hand, I would have looked more closely at some of the resources I will share with you today. 

Physical Resources

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention G.L.O.  In real life, group classes for highschool kids.  Located in the nearby big city.  I keep wanting to teach a class with them as I’ve got the know-how.  They teach a variety of classes, depending on the teachers they get in. 

Textbooks can be picked up from a variety of sources.  Locally we have The Learning House which provides textbooks for homeschoolers.  I could also order from different companies and have them shipped out.  Just a matter of doing your research and finding companies to work with. Companies such as:  Bob Jones, Apologia, Pearson, Glencoe, or Steck-Vaughn.  What others would you suggest?

Carl Sagan quote

On-Line Sources

In interactive unit studies I introduced to you Kristen Moon Science.  She makes some great science based unit studies.   You should check them out. 

Cross-wired Science (reviewed them this past year) does a good science program. Currently they have a free program called Mighty Feathers so you can get a good taste of how they do their program. If you decide you like it and want to purchase Sound & Fluid Dynamics you can use the discount code (intime29) to takes $5 off.

MIT has open courseware.  Search for the program you want, and then run through list. From what I can tell the courses are free but you may need to buy the textbook from Amazon. 

If you want to supplement what your students are learning Exploratorium has a number of videos, activities and experiments to delight the learner.

There are some interesting science lessons at Science Net Links. It would be easy to just set a student loose to learn what they’d like here. 

Learning about the weather?  Sci Jinks has you covered.  Videos and well-written essays. 

Khan Academy has science and engineering classes for highschool. 

If you are learning about the periodic table you might find this site helpful.

 ACLS has an educational page on human body systems. 

In highschool, most any course you might want to take as an adult a highschool student could potentially take as well (depending on interest and ability).  Check out this post on wanting to learn anything for some excellent on-line resources. 

What resources would you gather for high school science?

31 days of free writes

Today’s Free Write word is Gather.  See all the write 31 days posts. 

Gather

How to Teach Elementary Science

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Wanting to do science with your students?  I love science, I find it very easy to teach, particularly in the younger years, but not everyone has a natural love of science.  The question arises: How to teach elementary science.  Let’s walk through some of the options you have for teaching science to elementary aged students.

how to teach elementary science

Nature Study

Honestly, I find nature study to be easiest way of teaching science to elementary students.   There is so much to explore and learn just be observing the world around you. 

Observe Animals

Observed the animals around you.  These can be the squirrels in your local park or the spiders and bugs inside your house.  You can visit the animals at the local zoo or at a wildlife rescue centre.   You might want to visit a friend with a rabbit/guinea pig/dog or maybe go to a dog/cat/rabbit show.

Perhaps your co-op will offer an animal class or your local library offer a photo series of animals around the world.

You might want to sit down in your own backyard, block off a section of 1 or two feet and have your children count all the animals they find.  Then you could walk down to the local stream or park and look for ducks, water striders, bugs, spiders etc.

You could easily do a  bird study by setting up a bird feeder in your backyard.  Find animals and take time to watch them, you’ll be amazed at what you learn.  

If you can, bring along your phone, or a nature study guide, or a note pad (to write down questions for later) so you can answer questions that your children have.  

An example of Nature Study

 We have three squirrels in our back yard… grey (new youngster) white and black.  Just by watching them we know that grey is a bold as brass and will probably cause trouble in the rabbitry this winter.   White is easy going and knows to stay out of our way.  She’s been around for the past two years and doesn’t cause any fuss for us.  Black will get into mischief in the summer and if I leave a bowl of grain out for him in the winter he’ll get into that but won’t bother with anything else.   Bold as brass grey is starting to chase black around but so far hasn’t ousted him from the backyard maple tree. Grey is still confined to the front yard… he is pushing hard though.   By watching them we are able to learn so much about them, what they eat (did you know they will eat green tomatoes?), how they defend their territory (or to challenge for more), and all the sounds they make.   

observing nature

Unit Studies/LapBooks

Other than getting out in nature, or alongside of getting out in nature are unit studies and lapbooks. 

You take your child to the zoo and they get fascinated by tigers, or chimpanzees, or maybe the dwarf goats.   You can find a unit study or lapbook on them. My son has long been fascinated by ants and spiders and his youth I commissioned an amazing ant unit study for him.  He LOVED it.  Learned so much.  Now he raises ants and gains additional learning. 

Some places you can go for materials.

  • Amanda Bennett Unit Studies. Horses, tigers, dolphins, geckos, insects, oceans, volcanoes, seashells, caves and so much more.  Go explore, and then come home and learn some more!  (pay)
  • Homeschool Share has all sorts of unit studies and lapbooks.  (free)
  • Lapbook Lessons – Animals and science to learn and do. (free)
  • SchoolhouseTeachers.com – a variety of lessons, so many options, bug science, world of animals, curious science, disgusting creatures etc.  with over 400 lessons there’s sure to be nature studies for you! (paid)
Schoolhouse teachers

Pay Attention to Landforms, Soils and Plants

When you are out and about pay attention to landforms.  Notice the pond, the creek, the hill, the way stones stick out of the ground.  As you travel around pay attention to different trees and terrain.

When you are working out in your garden show your children what good soil looks and feels like.  Have them experiments with sandy soil, clay and good loam.   Does it make a difference if you add fertilizer?  

Help them grow a row, or start a bean plant in a container, or maybe grow some cat grass for a loved family pet.  Have your children test out if a plant will grow in the dark or what happens if light is far away from it.  Learn about phototropism and more.

When you walk through a forest pay attention to the mosses, fungi, ferns and trees.   Help your students see the different levels of a forest and then take an excursion on line and learn about the rainforest and its different levels. Expand their learning naturally. 

Additional Online Sites

There are numerous places on-line if you need more of a curriculum, or places to learn or see experiments done.  

  • Mystery Science – has open and go science lessons. Sign up for a free year of science lessons.  They have a limited number of spaces open. 
  • cK-12 – has an elementary division that you might find useful.  These are flexbooks that you can use online or download as a PDF. 
  • In the Lab of Mr. Q you will find downloadable classic science texts.  Provide a well-rounded science education. 
  •  The Canadian Wildlife Federation has put together education units to help teachers. 
  •  Nature Canada doesn’t have lessons but they are a wealth of information. 
  •  PBS learning has a number of experiments to watch and maybe do. 
  •  Canadian Geographic has a great kids area, and as an educator you can sign up for the cangeo education newsletter.  They put together some great resources!
  •  Project Gutenberg has put together an elementary geography program.
  •  Easy Peasy has an all in one science curriculum. An excellent resource for your science needs.  
  •  Guesthollow has a science and literature course. 
Online sources for teaching elementary science

Don’t forget other sources

Don’t forget to 

  • go to the library and raid their shelves for all things nature study-ish
  • Watch youtube videos
  • search websites with good information on whatever your children are interested in.
  • Easy science experiment books…. there are lots on the market.  

There is so much information available, make use of it. 

For instance, I am hopeful to get my lad into a Biodiversity weekend.   That might not work for your younger children, but I know in London we have groups that do forest school, another that takes regular walks in the local swamp, my son spent time with friends and family looking for minnows, crayfish and clams in our local streams, and of another group that does scavenger hunts in various local playgrounds.  Make use of the world around us, and do science the easy way!    Enjoy your explorations.

A book that might help you is the family adventure journal, or these nature cards.   You might want to make some crafts from the things you discover making the crafty nature journal just what you need.  I’ve pinned loads of ideas over on my nature study pinterest board.  Give it a boo, you might be delighted by what you find. 

Into the Blizzard

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Wow!   I read this book yesterday afternoon, and wow.   I’m still trying to imagine a storm as fierce as this storm of 1978.  Into the Blizzard drove me to youtube to learn more. 

Can you imagine snow deep enough to cover houses?  Waves high enough to wash houses away?   This was just a MASSIVE storm.  Into the Blizzard is the storm of men who aimed to help, heroes doing what they do, at threat to their own lives.  This is indeed their story. 

Into the Blizzard

What I am Reviewing

Into the Blizzard.
Michael J. Tougias.
Adaptation of “Ten Hours Until Dawn: the true story of Heroism and Tragedy about the Can Do.
Christy Ottaviano Books
True Rescue Series
9-14 years, trade paperback, 288 pages
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Heroism, Tragedy, Hurricane, Storm, Natural Disaster, True, Rescue, Ocean, USA history,

In the midst of the Blizzard of 1978, the tanker Global Hope floundered on the shoals in Salem Sound off the Massachusetts coast. When the Coast Guard heard the Mayday calls, they immediately dispatched a patrol rescue boat. But within an hour, the Coast Guard rescue boat was in as much trouble as the tanker – both paralyzed in unrelenting seas. Enter Captain Frank Quirk who was compelled to act. Gathering his crew of four, Quirk plunged his forty-nine-foot steel boat, the Can Do, into the blizzard.
Perfect for fans of the I Survived series ready for a longer form account, this middle-grade adaptation of an adult nonfiction book chronicles the harrowing journey between Captain Quirk and the Coast Guard as they struggled in the holds of a radical storm. It’s an epic tale of heroism and bravery at sea.

table of contents

The Details of Into the Blizzard

Three parts, 24 pages, 288 pages.  16 pages in the middle of the book with historical photos.   I received an advanced reader copy so I don’t know if these pictures will be in colour or in the black/white that I received. 

Into the Blizzard

Each part was highlighted with a photo of waves.  Either a one or two page photo spread.   I would be hopeful these would be in full colour as they are marvellous pictures don’t you think?  To me they show the beauty and dangers that a high sea would possess. 

Into the Blizzard cover

I found the text very easy to read, with enough technical information to teach me something, and yet simple enough to follow along well.  The men, the heroes of the story were well-defined, interesting men.   We were brought into the mind-set of just who these men were. Who they were, was an inspiration.  Men determined to do what needed to be done. 

At the beginning of the book we are shown the vessels involved in this event. 

into the blizzard

Thoughts/Recommendations

You know that Natural Disasters unit I reviewed a bit back?  This book would be a perfect complement to unit study.  It would also be a great addition to a study on oceans, heroes, or hurricanes.   It’s also a great stand-alone book, but for those looking for a living book to bring the heroes and harshness of life into reality…this book will do that job well.   I found it a good solid read.  The end result for some of the men wasn’t good, but understanding the harshness of the oceans and weather, and still they went out.   That mind-set is worth exploring and trying to understand. 

This book reminded me of just how small we are compared to the forces of the earth, and how brave people stand up regardless. 

disclosure

Space On Earth

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Did you know that space technologies don’t cost as much money as you might think? And they create lots of spill off jobs?  I know… that last was a shocker to me. How would space tech affect earth?  That’s the question that Space on Earth answers.

Space on Earth review

What I am Reviewing

Space on Earth: intergalactic facts about the world around you!
Dr. Sheila Kanani
Del Thorpe (illustrator)
Alma Junior
128 pages, trade paperback,
Grades 3-4
Reviewed for Raincoast books.

Have you ever looked up into the sky and wondered about space, astronomy and the universe? Perhaps you have. But you’ve probably never looked around you – at the sunglasses you wear or the selfies people take – and thought about space. The truth is, there is more of space on earth than you realize. . . 
Full of amazing facts about everyday innovations inspired by space travel and sections on the people who brought them to us, Space on Earth is an entertaining and fascinating look at space and the untold relationship with the planet we live on, helping children not only to feel the awe and wonder of the universe, but also to understand the reasons why space is relevant to us here on Earth.

table of contents

Details on Space on Earth

Three categories are discussed on how space tech interacts with the world at large.   Technology, health and fashion. 

One example of technology is solar power.  This was used for space travel.  Fuel weighs a lot so if they had to haul batteries up to space as well… the load would be too heavy.  Solar panels are a lot lighter and let the space craft create electricity.   Over many years the technology was adapted for use by anyone. 

Space on Earth

As you learn about the different technologies such as cochlear implants you also get to meet scientists and learn amazing facts.  Each example comes with a short biography on the scientist involved. Since there are all these details, I find this a great book. 

You’ll find simple black and white illustrations throughout.  You will find these illustrations work well with the text.

Space on Earth

Thoughts/Recommendations

I’m told that Space to Earth is for children 8 and up.  I think it would be great for students from grade 3-6.   To discover the wonderful things that space exploration has given us.  Who would have thought baby blankets for premmies would be developed, or that patients with dementia be helped, or our sound systems be improved.   Space tech making our lives better, creating jobs for people that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. 

I love that we told about the scientists and doctors who helped develop the technology. It’s a great way to expand the learning you know?  Learn about the tech, research the developer. 

disclosure