Properties of Sand and Horseshoe Crabs Field Trip to Cedar Key

Today was our last Earth Kids meeting, for this school year. Next year, I have made some changes. Most lessons and activities will be online on Facebook, and once in a while a field trip. I have many reasons for making this decision.

Today, we headed out to Cedar Key, a tiny resort town on the Gulf about an hour from our home. The weather was breezy and warm, then the breeze left and it was just hot, lol. We studied Horseshoe Crabs, which surprisingly we did not see any. We always see Horseshoe Crabs at Cedar Key. The tide was coming in when we got there, and usually we are there at low tide, so that might have something to do with it. The kids also did an experiment on the properties of sand. That was very interesting. It was to complete DJ's Marine Biology project book, for 4H, but I decided to make it a group project too. Then the kids get to chill, swim, look for shells, or just walk the beach. Another thing we found, that we have never found at Cedar Key, are small perfectly polished and smooth white rocks. We have been to Cedar Key lots of times and never seen these particular type of rocks there.

All in all it was a beautiful day.

Oil Leak In The Gulf Of Mexico

I don't know how many of you follow the news, but last week there was an oil rig, that had an explosion, and fell into the Gulf of Mexico. The oil well is currently leaking 40,000 gallons per day, into the Gulf. We like many people love the Gulf, and we were just there a month ago. They are trying to contain the leak, but with no success, and it appears by the end of this weekend, the oil will start to reach the coast of Florida. This is not only an environmental disaster for all the living things in the Gulf, but the many thousands of people who count on fishing, and tourism for their livelihoods. This is just awful.


Lesson Plans For 04/29/10:

DJ:
Health: What I like about me
Math: Customary measurements, addition, subtraction, multiplication
Language Arts: Correct forms of words, writing correct sentences
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary
Cursive Writing
Sign Language: Review

Caitlin:
Skip Counting
Printing Practice
Flash Cards
Site Words
Phonics: Long A
Math: Addition

Fun At The Ocean

We had a ball at Shired Island yesterday. It is a very small state park, on the Gulf of Mexico. We have been here a few times, as it is my moms favorite place to go. It was very windy, so we were sort of cold. I am glad I had the extra shirt in the car, even though it did not match at all. The kids got in the water, and romped around, despite it being cold. I didn't find any new shells. They mostly have scallop shells, at this particular part of the Gulf, and I already have tons. I did find a cool block of shells, that formed a unique sculpture. It is on my front porch now. I will take a picture of it to share. We found some kind of critter that made these cool designs by burrowing under the sand. I wanted a horseshoe crab, or blue crab, but didn't find one, no seaglass either. If you look at the pictures you will see an armadillo. It was dead, and partially decayed. I really wanted the shell, but no one, including myself was willing to pick it up, and carry it LOL. I did get my log for our Science experiment. No, not the one the kids are walking on, my husband wouldn't carry it for me. My mother managed to not get in one single picture, not sure how she did that. I am the blonde, and my sister, and her husband have the baseball caps on. They went off to Tampa today to see friends, and we will hook up with them again tomorrow, after I grocery shop. It has gone by fast, and I can't believe it is almost time for them to go back to NC again.

Field Trip To Shired Island on The Gulf Of Mexico, Madagascar 2

Friday November 7th, was our Ocean Field trip, to Shired Island. Shired Island, is on the Gulf of Mexico, and about 1 hr from our home. It is sort of secluded and quiet, and as you can see from the pictures, a beautiful place to visit. It was 80 degrees, with no wind or clouds, absolutely perfect for a field trip. Because we went about an hour after high tide, there were tons of sea shells to pick. They are soaking in bleach water, to use for crafts. We did not get to see any Horseshoe Crabs, which are usually abundant, at this location. We did see some Blue Crabs, that had been caught, in a trappers cage. They were young ones, and can get to the size of dinner plates. We saw lots of birds, a small jelly fish, some fish, and some small crabs. The Pelican was camera shy and would not let me get a picture of it. All in all, it was a great day.

Yesterday, we went to go see Madagascar 2 Escape to Africa. It was cute, and Caitlins first trip to the big movie theater. She was good, until all her snacks were gone, and then she wanted to go home. I still think the first one was better, but this one was good too.

Tomorrow is a Half Day, and here are our lesson plans:

Writing: Write about your field trip to Shired Island
Reading: Read Chapter 5 of Pirates Past Noon
Finish Planets themed unit
Math: Division
Spanish: Food and utensils
Fire Prevention: Write about having an escape route
Science: Life cycles of animals
Arts and crafts: If time permits draw Pichu, and turkey craft
If we do not get to arts and crafts, they will be added to another day.