Grid Art, Snake Skin Under Microscope, and Our Week In Review

The drawing assignment for this week was a grid drawing. I just couldn't get into it. Those lines drive me crazy. Caitlin did hers, you can see it below. DJ has one printed and ready, just has to draw it out. Next week should be perspective, which is always hard. If you have been following this blog, you know that on Sept 1st I posted the Earth Kids project for this month. Tonight is the results night. If you go back in the blog to the first, you will see we were all gung ho. Put all kinds of stuff in our glass containers with colored marbles. It was so pretty. I actually wanted to see if root vegetables, like onions and carrots, would grow in the water with no dirt. I use them as compost and they do grow in the dirt without even being planted. But no, after a few days all they did was rot and stink up the water bad. So we added clean water, that did not help. It was quite gross. So, last Friday, we emptied out the jars, cleaned them, added fresh water and plants that we pulled out by the roots. One of them, in the tall skinny jar, is actually a potato. If you look real close you can see a small potato starting to grow in the roots. They have stayed beautiful for the week, and just needed some new water due to evaporation. I am going to leave these and see what they end up doing. There are some flowers in there too, both wild flowers, and a rose piece we pulled out. As you can see by looking at the jar, this experiment also shows condensation, and it also covered photosynthesis.  You can't see the tiny bubbles but they are there.

Today, we finally got to dig out our new microscope and use it. Again, if you follow along, the kids had found a snake skin at the springs, and brought it home. Today we put it under the microscope. The assignment was to look at it and draw what you see. There are two different shots, they look a little different due to the magnification of each. The third magnification no one could actually see anything or get it to focus.

Osmosis Experiment Results

I forgot to take pictures of the experiment, but at first it didn't work real well.  I knew I had Iodine just could not find it.  So, we put plain water in two ziploc bags, and then put them in a jar of water.  I had Blue Kote, which I thought had Iodine in it, so we put that in the water of one jar.  Nothing happened, at all.  We waited three days and nothing.  So, I found the Iodine in the First Aid Kit in the car, and it was non colored Iodine, ugh.  We thought we would try it anyways.  So, I left the Blue Kote in the water and added a bit of the Iodine to it.  That worked!  We checked it the next day and the water in the bag was a pretty lavender color.  Diffusion was very easy to see and demonstrate.  We need to study Osmosis just a bit more, I think, to be sure both kids understand it.

I changed DJ's schedule just a bit.  I was reviewing the AP American History, and it is more in depth than I realized.  So, now he will be doing 60 min of History, instead of 30, and 30 minutes of Nutrition, instead of 60. 


Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Art Lesson 3 Drawing Hands

Our third drawing lesson, was to draw hands. Hands are hard to draw, and as you can see none of us were brave enough to try a cupped or closed hand. As you can also see, all three of us decided to draw our hands holding nature. Mine is the one holding the tangle doodle snake. Why did I choose a snake? Because, I love to do the doodle tangle art, and I dislike snakes, but mine is beautiful. The kids picked a butterfly and baby Sea Turtle. I am not sure which lesson we will do this week, but I better decide soon, lol. Tomorrow is Monday. I think in between the drawing lessons, I might add in some remakes of the Masters pieces. The kids do no have to paint in their designs, I do mine, but I do like them to color in with colored pencils. My paintings are for sale in my Etsy store, and you can find the store banner on the right hand side of this blog.

Diffusion and Osmosis Science Lab Experiment

This is my weekend to work, starting tomorrow night.  The kids and I decided when I have to work, and nap, they will do independent work while I am asleep.  In the morning we will set up the Osmosis and Diffusion lab for DJ's Marine Biology.  Caitlin will also participate and discuss results.  The one in the textbook, I did not have all the supplies, so I am going with this one.  DJ records all his findings in his notebook.  Then we will check our Earth Kids project for this month, and I think it needs some adjustments.  Caitlin will read a chapter of Black Beauty, and do a writing assignment on her blog.  I think I am going to have her write about how her day would be if she got to work on a horse farm for a day.  DJ will also be doing a writing assignment on his blog, about his Summer Vacation.  I have located some essay topics for 9th grade, and he will be having them assigned through the year.  He will also be finishing his hand drawing Art project, so I can share them all here on the blog.

On this past Wednesday, we started our third year of our Run/Walk Club.  We had to cut it down to only one day a week this year, but it also serves as a nature walk, and socialization with friends.

It has been a good and complete first full week of school.  

Fanning Springs, Underwater Pictures, and 4H Project Books

Today, was my Father in Law's last day with us, before he goes back to NY. We decided to take him to Fanning Springs, and as you can see on a Monday we had the place to ourselves. Unfortunately it started to thunder pretty quickly after we arrived, and we only got about an hour to enjoy the springs before we had to leave. DJ and Caitlin did get to use the underwater camera we got for them. I can not wait to see how those pictures come out. I haven't used a disposable camera in at least 20 years, or had to have one developed. Grandpa Ed said his goodbyes about 4. Now we have to get ready for the first 4H meeting of the year. Tonight is election night. DJ will most likely be Vice President by the end of the day. He has decided he wants to take guitar lessons with 4H, this year, but no shooting sports. He loves the shooting sports, but it is not a convenient day or time. I am still waiting to hear about the Marine Ecology and when those classes will be held. Both of them have picked their project books. DJ will be starting with Life in the Sea, and Caitlin with The World Around Us 4H Wildlife Book 1. Because we are outside so much, I decided on books that will just come naturally to how we learn and spend our time. If you are a fan of the Charlotte Mason style of learning, 4H and their project books might be perfect for you.

Blue Springs in High Springs

We had a change of plans today. We were going to take Grandpa Ed to Blue Springs on Monday. But, the weather was not looking good for Monday, and the Santa Fe River is beginning to flood. So, we took him to Blue Springs today. It is funny. Every time Grandpa Ed visits from NY, the springs are flooded. This time we beat the flooding. The Santa Fe was flooding parts of the springs. We could not get to Naked Springs, or Lil Blue Springs, but the main Big Blue Springs was still clear, blue and beautiful. We had a wonderful time, and Grandpa Ed finally got to get into the springs. Tomorrow we chill, use the pool, and watch some football.

Last Visit To Saint Augustine Beach For This Summer

My Father in Law, made it safely from NY last evening. We went out to eat to O Sole Mio, in Newberry, which was delicious as usual. It was late, so he only visited for a bit. Today, we took him to Saint Augustine Beach. He loves the ocean, and it was a beautiful day. It was exactly high tide when we got there, so the waves were high, and rough. The guys had a blast getting beat up in the waves, while Caitlin and I enjoyed to more calm waters at the edge. We found some more cool shells, and went to dinner at Outback Steak House after. Everyone is tired, and ready for bed.

Tomorrow we will hang at the house, swim in the pool, and Dairy Queen for ice cream. Oh yeah!

Four Science Experiments on Tuesday

The Marine Biology textbook has several experiments, in each chapter.  This is the lab component of the curriculum and is required in the state of Florida.  Caitlin also had two experiments from her T4L Science lessons.  Since I can not share the actual copies from the book, I will try to find examples similar to what we did, so you can do them in your Science lessons.  The first video is a cloud video, and has nothing to do with experiments.  If your child is learning about Weather, it is a nice video.


I could not find a video for the Marine Biology experiments. So, I will give you a basics of what we did. Experiment 1: The Expansion of Solid Water. You need a bottle of water, a marker, and a freezer. Fill the water bottle about 3/4 of the way full. Mark the spot where the water is with the marker. Put the bottle in the freezer. Make your hypothesis of what you think will happen. Record your findings after the water has frozen.

Experiment 2: Removing the Salt from Salt Water. We have actually done this one before, but it is part of the requirements, so we did it again. You need a pot with one cup of water in it. Turn on the stove and heat the water, but do not boil. Add two tbsp of salt to the water and stir until dissolved. Pour the water into a pie plate or other container. Set outside, usually takes a week or more depending on temperature. Make your hypothesis of what will happen. Record your findings after. Try this in the Winter months also, to see the difference in the results.

I decided I will go back to keeping a daily log, rather than trying to keep up with it on the blog. I would rather keep the blog for fun, and interesting things to share. My Father in Law is coming, so we will not be back to lessons until next Tuesday.

Homeschool Art Week 2

I am a little late on sharing last week's Art assignment, but better late than never. The assignment last week was to use your creativity and create an animal that has never existed. I did a pink peacock, and an orange and yellow peacock that kind of looks like a turkey, lol. I painted mine in. The kids used colored pencils to color theirs in. DJ did a Blue Bear, that I love, and then he drew out one of the monsters from his video game. Awesome! Caitlin did a rainbow tiger, which would be amazing if it was a real tiger. This week we are doing hands. Hands, are hard! Stay tuned to see how we do.

Swimming for PE

Yesterday we went to the springs, for PE swimming and fun staring at snakes.  Yes, there were several water snakes sunning themselves, and the kids were quite fascinated with them. 

Today, was a full school day.  I am having a hard time getting in all the experiments.  So, I might have to pick and choose, rather than doing them all. 

Tomorrow is my day to work night shift.  So, it will be chore days before I lie down for a nap, and while I am napping the kids will have some school assignments that they can do on their own.  That way we don't lose a whole day of school, because I have to sleep.


All in all it has been a good first half week of school.

Grow Plants From Tops and Watch Roots Grow Earth Kids Project

Our Earth Kids project for September 2014 is live on our Facebook page. Join in if you want. The original idea for this was with succulents, but I decided to make it a true experiment by using various plants. Some I already knew would grow from the tops of veggies, like carrots, onions, lettuce, cabbage, etc. Some we are seeing if they will, and we even put in a flower cutting from our garden to see if it will take root. Plus how much dirt does a plant need. These plants have none, just water. This also accomplishes the experiment for photosynthesis with the bubbles produced on the items submerged in water. I was surprised to see that the potato peel and carrot tops immediately sunk to the bottom. The onion top and lemon top, both stayed floating at the top. We also added a piece of celery, one piece from the top of the stalk, and one from the bottom. Caitlin put a Phlox stem in hers to see if it will root, and DJ put in a piece of Rose stem. This project should show kids how roots grow, and they will see it, and how some veggies you just plant once and they will regrow again. A very cool and fun experiment. Plus as you can see it is quite colorful and pretty. This project will end in three weeks, for evaluation purposes. We will just let them keep growing if they are growing. They were placed out where they would get lots of sun, but no rainfall.


We have a lot of experiments to do this year. So, if your kids are hands on learners, check back often. Caitlin had another Science one today, and DJ too.

2014/2015 Daily Homeschool Schedule

Below you will see what our daily schedule will look like.  I do re-evaluate often, so it could change.  Wednesdays, starting in two weeks, will be our Run Club day in the mornings.  So, I am not quite sure how that day will look.  But, most likely will be a rotating thing with Math being a priority.  DJ has been working his way through the AP American History course, all Summer.  So, I am comfortable with 30 min classes for him and that class.  He did 9th grade Language Arts last year, but will be doing some Reading and Writing this year.

DJ Grade 9

9-10  Marine Biology
10-1030  Foreign Language Japanese
1030- 1100 Music- Reading Music and Ocarina   will be adding guitar eventually
1100-1130  Reading and or Writing  The Hunger Games book one
1130-1230 Lunch
1230-130 Algebra 1
130-200  AP American History
200-300  Nutrition and Cooking

Caitlin Grade 5

9-10  Science T4L
10-11 Language Arts T4L plus Reading and Writing with me
11-1130  Evan Moor American Revolution and Geography with me
1130-1230  Lunch
1230-130  Math Grade 56 Saxon with me
130-2  Art
2-230  Make up work, free time or other lessons chosen by me

Both kids will also be doing our Earth Kids Club, which for now is completely online.  If you want to join in, the first project has been posted.  They will be done monthly. You can find it by going to Facebook and doing a search for Tri County Earths Kids Club.  Anyone can join, it is free, and I try to make all activities so any age group can join in.