Rocks and Minerals

One of my friends is teaching Physical Science, which includes the Rock Cycle.  Kids should study Rocks and Minerals.  I’ve taught Earth Science several times—honestly, not my favorite subject.  But, it’s important.  Kids like to learn how to identify rocks and minerals.  Clemson’s guide is excellent.  It begins by asking if the item is even a rock.  Here’s my tip: have 15 or 20 rocks from a set where they have been identified. Start with these introductory activities: observation of minerals, salt, Epsom salts, table salt, calcium chloride, compare the color of the mineral with its streak,

 Clemson’s guide uses typical tools: iron nail, unglazed tile, a magnifier, a penny, UV flashlight (fluorescence),  vinegar, a magnet, and a piece of glass.  (Here is an elementary introduction.). Here are several fun labs.).  This set has a huge mix of rocks, minerals, geodes, and fossils.  There are several tests to perform: density, (This lab uses density by displacement.), Moh’s harness,  Streak test, luster, cleavage, fracture,  color, magnetism, reaction with acid, striating, odor, and fluorescence.


Here is a good general mineral identification lab.  Here are detailed instructions for the tests. (This is another excellent guide.  It’s a college level guide.). Use a mineral ID flow chart. 


What are we going to do?
1. Use a magnifier to observe the crystal shapes of sugar, table salt, Epsom salt, copper sulfate, and calcium chloride.
2. Take each sample and make observations: color, luster, odor, layers, etc.
3. Test for hardness.
4. Test for streak.
5. Use vinegar to see if any of the rocks bubble.
6. Take the density by displacement.
7. Test with a magnet.
8. Test with a UV flashlight.
9. Use this table and density chart to identify the minerals.
10. Make Epsom salt and alum geodes.
11. Smash geodes.
12.  Collect rocks outside.

Weather Science: GLOBE

GLOBE is an international environmental program sponsored by NASA in the U.S. and by UNESCO in many other countries.  Over 36,000 schools around the world participate.  GLOBE has hundreds of activities.  Don’t be overwhelmed.  Instead, look at GLOBE Weather.  There is a detailed teacher guide, student activities, a bundle of protocols, , and resources, such as this cloud chart.  The tools and models are easy to replicate.  I’ve used GLOBE protocols and resources with my science classes.  I had quite a bit of training; the issue for newbies is the sheer volume of resources.  So don’t drown, start by reading over the Weather materials before examining the other protocols.  If you like GLOBE’s content, try these weather related projects.

Human Biology: update

Anna needed time to finish two formal lab reports.  She finished the second today for me to edit.  Anna is juggling several classes; we have some flexibility.  Next we are doing a

several molecular activities.

Brit Lit Update

We’ve been a bit side-tracked.  Anna and Angel needed time to work on their essays for Taming of the Shrew and Othello.  Anna finished her rough draft: she and I spent two classes this week editing her draft.  The girls are reading Romeo and Juliet.  They watched Westside Story eons ago.  I have several fun activities planned.  Angel is out of town.  We’ll catch up when she returns.

The girls finished their grant proposal.  Let’s see if the library wants to send off their proposal!

Lacie: Still wandering in the wilderness 11/21

This week we FINALLY finished Robinson Crusoe’s final exam.  Lacie took a nomenclature Test in Chemistry, too.  Yesterday the take-home Chemistry Test occupied the morning; guitar and Algebra took up the afternoon.  This afternoon we need to do more math before we can test.  Next, we are finishing History to prepare for this mid-term exam.  Lacie is working on WBE at home—with brief instructions.  I gave her another two hundred Latin vocabulary words to use to make note cards.  I’m serious about the number—I wrote out the vocabulary in Henle for the semester.  Lacie started reading Oliver Twist.  She was side-tracked by The Blindside.  We want Lacie to read for pleasure.  My husband, Rob, suggested sports novels.  I think it worked too well!  Again, one day at a time.

After Chemistry, Lacie needed to work on balancing equations.  She did that after Chem and after lunch until 3:00.  Then she did more Algebra.  Good new!  She has a good grasp on balancing equations and is starting to understand simplifying and solving algebraic equations.  Yeah!  BTW, there are a few errors in the solutions key for Saxon Algebra 1.  My husband and I do some of the problems to check for errors.

Brit Lit: Romeo and Juliet

I’m prepping Romeo and Juliet. My eighth grade English teacher taught us Shakespeare.  She explained that Juliet’s nurse lost her own child, Susan.  The nurse weaned Juliet at three or four by rubbing ‘wormwood’ on her breast—like putting a bitter solution on a child’s thumb to get them to stop sucking the thumb.   I remember being riveted.  My teacher explained some of the bawdy jokes and explained the 5-act structure.  I want to do a good job with this play.  The girls have watched West Side Story.  Angel mentioned Gnomeo and Juliet, too.

   8 Great Teaching Tools for Reading Romeo and Juliet first casts Romeo as a manipulative villain.  I’m giving the girls this graphic for character studies—not the text. I plan to tackle suicide, humor, love and hate, and give the play some context.  Scroll down this site for an overview of the five act structure review.  Films and books often follow this structure, too.  Look for more once I finish rereading the play.

Brit Lit: Grant Writing Abstract for Star Struck

Today, we finished our rough draft of the abstract and basic budget in Excel.  Here are copies.
Budget and Abstract

Grant writing and budgeting are different forms of writing--almost technical writing.  But, one uses a thesaurus, edits, and revises.  The difference?  The kids are excited about a project.  They argue and get animated over ideas.  Does it consume quite a bit of time?  Yes.  Now, we are going to shop the project idea around to the librarians.  We still need to map out specific ideas and events.  Fun!

Lacie 11/11, 11/12, 11/13 update

We are doing a good job with Chemistry.  After class, Lacie worked on Algebra until Dad came for her to go to soccer practice.  I went over her Chemistry nomenclature.  She needs to finish the Chem nomenclature, study for RC midterm, and work on Composition, WBE.  Tuesday afternoon is RC and Algebra.

After Chemistry and a 20 minute bike ride, Lacie studied and studied for her Theology test.  Done!  She easily spent eight hours studying for her test.  Done!!!

Today was odd.  Lacie came today instead of Wednesday.  She completed most of the notes.  Lacie and I corrected her Chemistry homework.  All ordinary mistakes.  She and my husband spent four hours studying for her Theology midterm.  Really.  Our grandson, Paul, was off school; we spent 2:00 to 4:30 doing science experiments for next summer’s science camp with five kids and three teens.  Arrggh!   Lacie went on a bike hike.  After dinner and more study, she took her Theology midterm.

Tomorrow, we’ll do the same for the Robinson Crusoe test after Chemistry.  I added a class to Google Classroom: PE.  Lacie uses a Fitbit; the app tracks fitness.  I’m adding outings, her soccer practices, bike hikes, and Fitbit reports to the PE classroom.

More thoughts on ‘batch’ work...

Lacie is my main responsibility to home-school.  But, I’m working with Anna and Angel in Brit Lit and Anna in Human Biology—all in addition to the Chemistry Co-op class.  Only the Chemistry class is highly structured.  I’ve taught the subject for 25 years and have ideas regarding pacing in Chemistry.  Anna’s Human Biology began last summer.  Recently, she has done several labs.  Right now, she is finishing her lab reports and working on Fluids and Electrolytes.  I have POGIL exercises for her once she finishes the enzyme lab.  

I’m working with Angel, Anna, and Lacie in ‘batches’.  Anna and Angel just finished Shakespeare plays, contemporary literature (Hogarth Shakespeare), and films based on the plays.  The assignments included reader guides to complete.  Now that the background material is complete, we spent time today making comparisons, and drawing up questions for their next papers: Do contemporary film or literature capture Shakespeare.  The girls are making character studies form the plays, lit, and films for comparison.  They need to study Elizabethan social structure and marriage as an economic contract versus modern society.  It is really a project.  We plan to study one more play, Romeo and Juliet, before moving on to Jane Austen.

Meanwhile, Anna, Angel, and I are writing a STEM grant—writing with a purpose!  We are tackling this in a big batch.  We’ve spent several hours.  The grant proposal should be ready next week for approval and then submission.  Anna had to learn a little Excel to assemble the budgets.  Angel is working on the abstract.  She and I will hone it next Tuesday.  

While I work with Anna and Angel, Lacie has a project.  Right now, she needs to finish her notes and study for the Theology and RC exams.  She worked nine or ten hours on notes.  Last week, she worked nine hours on a paper.  We plan to finish the History material and take the midterm next.  Lacie need to learn how to study.    We invested loads of time writing notes, converting the notes into quiz cards—all before studying for her exams.  

Lacie is also working in batches on WBE.  We’ll see how this plays out.  When we really begin Latin and Grammar, I do not want the distraction of vocabulary or WBE.  

Guess what?  Lacie is starting to take charge of her studies and plan her time.  She decided to work on Algebra over the weekend to stay on track.   Yeah!  We’ll keep trying to find a balance.

Lacie 11/6/19 Notes

Update: Lacie spent the afternoon today working on notecards for RC final exam.  After Chemistry, she worked with Chris in her Chemistry class to make up a lab on paper chromatography.  Lacie usually works with one of the other students after Chemistry class Tuesdays and Thursdays while I teach Brit Lit.  At least she likes Chemistry.

Lacie is working on WBE independently.  I looked over the first six lessons and made comments.  Lacie has several articles from the WSJ.  She is reading them to determine the purpose, comparisons, or problems identified.  Lacie is working on thesis writing and outlines.  I’m using the articles to find more interesting topics.

She is working through notes.  We’re preparing for mid-term exams in Theology, History, and a final for Robinson Crusoe.  Lacie finished her study guide questions and papers for Theology and RC for the mid-term.  She is making note-cards for RC and Theology.  I’m helping her to learn how to study.  The tests are largely based on her study guides.  Which questions are most likely to be tested?  What are the major themes?  Which key events are important?  Lacie has read the material, written the study guide questions, and made Quiz note-cards.  This is a process to help her learn how to organize and review material for a test.

Tomorrow, we’ll complete Chapters 3 and 4 in History.  Then, she can rewrite all of the notes for the first four chapters and make note cards.  We are staggering the mid-term exams.  Tomorrow, we need to do Algebra, Latin note cards, and Guitar.

Lacie is reading Oliver Twist in the evenings.  We are using the same approach.  She’s reading the entire book, completing all of the study guide questions, writing the papers, and then creating note-cards.  The study guide questions force her to reread the book.  I want her to create character studies for all of the protagonists and antagonists.  I have an excellent packet for Oliver Twist we’ll use, too.  It has a bit of background about Dickens, Victorian industry, and social classes.  We’ll use Kolbe’s syllabus, notes, and assignments, too.  Right now, we continue to work in batches.

Step away from the calculators and microscopes!

Are you familiar with Good Will online?  This is where I buy used calculators and microscopes—pretty much any type of science equipment.  My laser printer, overhead projector, and calculator collection are mainly from Good Will online.  I bid on TI84 models all the time.  Right now I have over a dozen graphing calculators.  I need to step away!  Honestly?  I just bid on two TI 83s at $7.99 each and one penny shipping.

Good Will usually has microscopes.  I do have six.  However, digital microscopes work well; these microscopes are document cameras.  They plug into a laptop.  The kids focus the microscope on a slide, capture a good image, and take a screen shot.  Then the kids sketch and label the image.  Genius!  One of the kids had the idea.  This past summer in Human Biology, this was the only technique we used.  In General Biology, I think it’s a good idea to learn the parts of a microscope and how to focus a microscope.

Project Based Learning

Are you familiar with Project-based learning?  It’s a great approach to integrating lessons.  The idea is to have a large idea and loads of activities.  One popular project is Watershed Project Based Learning.  I’ve used Biology is Outdoors and Inside-out to plan watershed projects. 

Where to start?  Start with a Cub Scout or Girl Scout patch.  Try Potomac Highlands Watershed eSchool. (Click on the door to access the activities.)

For years, my students did a variety of watershed activities and projects: plant trees, install a green roof, build raised beds, bioswales, and rain gardens.  Here’s what I learned.  Let the kids lead.  Try simple activities first: Color Me a Watershed, Crumpled Paper Watershed, or Build a Watershed.  

Trouts Unlimited has an excellent education guide for monitoring a riparian buffer along a creek or stream.  The guide has a macroinvertebrate identification key; clean streams have a wide variety of insect larvae.  The greater the number and variety of larvae,  the cleaner the stream.  The macroinvertebrate key helps to identify different insect larvae.  

I like to test water quality.  These test strips are quick, easy, and accurate.  This kit is pricier but has a bit more science.  If you plan to do stream tests, bring an armored thermometer. Attach the thermometer to your wrist with a rubber band so it doesn’t fall in the stream.  Bring pH strips to test the pH of the water. In fact, the basic equipment includes a bucket, net, thermometer, ice cubes trays, forceps or tweezers, and a hand lens or magnifying glass.  This guide explains how to catch macroinvertebrates and sort them in a tray.  White ice cube trays are perfect for sorting.

Don’t be overwhelmed.  Look at some of these ideas and decide if a big project like Watersheds might be a way to incorporate loads of science.

Here is another blog with information.

Algebra 1 Project

The graphing exercises with a graphing calculator went well.  So, I looked for other Algebra 1 projects and found Algebra Road Trip.  Lacie can plan summer trips for the family.  There are seven in her family; she’ll need to research the mileage the family van gets and the actual distances from home to summer vacation destinations.  I like it!

Algebra 1 Statistics as a Project

Lacie is in Algebra 1.  Both public and private schools include elementary Statistics in Algebra 1.  I include graphing calculator exercises in my Chemistry class.  Lacie has had some exposure.  I’m going to work through some stats exercises because they’re useful in Chemistry. This unit, Data and Statistical Anaysis is comprehensive.  This packet has the basics.


Start with Khan Academy’s Displaying Quantitative Data.  Then work through Summarizing Data.  Finally, try Bivariate Numerical Data.


The first topic is Mean Median and Mode. (with key). The second topic is Box, Stem and Leaf, and Histograms. (Key).  Then do ( Scatter plots (with key).  The last topic is Linear Regression (with key).

My husband and I work in tandem with Lacie when she learns math.  I’ll show her how to do the operations on the graphing calculator; my husband explains the concepts.

Medieval Projects

History and Art go together.  In high school, two of my teachers in History and Art were married.  We did art in History often.  Medieval History has many possibilities for projects.  The Met has a teacher resource for Medieval art.  The Walter’s Museum has a series of images with background and questions.  I want to use some of these, such as Essay 2, the Diptych with Virgin.

This mom has 12 weeks of medieval project ideas.  Make catapults!  Make a trebuchet! (Here are complicated instructions and include all manner of slinging mechanisms.  Here’s my favorite diy catapult. We nail our block to the wood plank.)


The BBC offers ideas for a Medieval Feast.  If you are planning a feast, don’t forget Medieval games.   
Take a look at this Medieval History guide from the U.K. 


What are we going to do?  I’ll start with a poster project debunking common Myths.  We’ll combine History with British Literature.  (I’m using these books for Anna and Angel.  We’ll do a few readings from this period.). I’m thinking about Chaucer bumper stickers—definitely doing bumper stickers for Shakespeare.

We won’t spend hours on any of these projects.  Instead, I’m going to add 30 minutes activities to her regular schedule.

Projects: How about some art?

Lacie is enrolled in Kolbe Academy.  Kolbe has detailed syllabi and a rigorous curriculum.  But, I want her to do more projects.  This past week, Lacie did an extensive timeline and a large mapping project of the Roman Empire.  I like to assign projects for the times when the week is disrupted, like it as this week with Halloween and All Saints Day.  We worked on the projects around events.

Two upcoming topics in History are the early Christianity and early Islamic development.  I want to insert some art.  Khan Academy has Early Christian Art and Islamic Art articles.  We’ll use these two articles for some background.  The Art of Mathematics, Islamic Patterns uses simples geometric shapes to create Islamic tiles as an art project.  We’ll start with paper tiles on graph paper and use these images as inspiration.  Several of our neighbors are devote Muslims.  I want to invite the children to make some art.

The Vatican has good information about the catacombs and early Christian art and symbols.  In Ephesus, Turkey, there are well preserved Christian symbols.  We’ll try print making.  I think we can carve images in clay or styrofoam and use acrylic paints to make prints.  

We may need Christian symbols coloring pages and Islamic art tiles to color for the younger children.        Here’s hoping this will be a fun project.  I’ll post pix when the kids do this project.