Snickers and Science

Anytime you can incorporate food into your science  unit, it's a win - trust me on this.

After a busy weekend and a rather long science unit spread over a two day period, the kids were getting a little antsy when we finished our rock unit last Sunday afternoon. They already learned about sedimentary rocks and made delicious sedimentary bars (aka 7-layer bars... SOOO good).  Next they learned about igneous rocks and made homemade popscicles (and I think we put in too much sugar... if that's even possible).  All they had left was to wrap up their unit with metamorphic rocks.

They watched some cute videos online and a Bill Nye episode (I LOVE him!) all about rocks.  So, it wasn't all baking, journaling, and worksheets.  But still, they were getting a little burned out.

But, I saved the best for last....I whipped out the snickers bars... 

Here, I'll explain why: Metamorphic rocks are sedimentary rocks (layered rocks) that have changed composition due to increase heat and pressure applied to them over thousands of years.. Snickers have clear definitive layers... chocolate (mmm), nougat (drool), caramel (drool some more), peanuts (grab a napkin, the keyboard is getting wet), and more chocolate... They were our sedimentary rocks.  But, I wouldn't let the kids eat them (I'm mean like that).

I made the kids draw the snickers, feel the snickers, and even smell the snickers (I told you I'm mean).  But still - they couldn't eat them.. oh boy were they whining!! 

Little Man finished his journaling first, so I brought him to the front of the room.  I asked him to tell me what sedimentary rocks were, then what metamorphic rocks were.  I asked him how we could change the snickers (sedimentary rocks) into metamorphic rocks.  "Put them in the microwave," said he.

"Let's try something else."  I brought out two heavy books and some waxed paper.  I put waxed paper on one book, his beloved snickers ontop, another layer of waxed paper over the candy, and a heavy book ontop of it all.  Then I asked him to gently step on the book, and rock side to side and back and forth.  He was applying heat and pressure!!  I think he thought I was crazy - ruining a good candy bar and all.  But what he saw when we lifted those books and waxed paper off of the candy bar was awesome... a smooshy, gooey, flat candy bar.  His eyes lit up.  "That's so cool!!  Look!!"

He showed his sisters then looked at me with his big green eyes and said "Can I eat it now?"  "Yes son, go forth and enjoy."  He said it tasted even better this way. :)

See?  Anytime you can incorporate food and science, it's a win all the way around.

By the way, the idea above was not mine (sorry, I'm just not that creative.. I steal... I mean, borrow.. other bright ideas.)  Here's where I found this unit (and the other Earth Science stuff we're doing this month) : http://www.squidoo.com/earth-science-unit-on-rock-classification  Check out her site - you'll be very glad you did!

Multi-tasking

I'm typing out this post while enjoying a delicious piece of homemade butter cream ice cream cake. Why am I sharing this?  To make you jealous? Perhaps.  To talk about multi-tasking? Yes, let's go with that...

My mom's birthday was yesterday (Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!) and one of her co-workers made her a homemade butter cream ice cream cake.  Mom told me I should try a piece, being the good and obedient daughter that I am - I am trying a piece.. at least it's almost lunch time - that makes it a little less bad..

Anyways, we're gearing up for our 7 weeks of birthdays, when my oldest daughter, youngest son, husband, and oldest son all have birthdays.  It's a fun-filled, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, hoping not to gain too much weight, 7 weeks.  I'm getting things rolling by enjoying this homemade butter cream ice cream cake (yes, I'm going to mention this cake as much as I can - it's that good!).

Switching gears now - remember the garden I mentioned in the last post?  Well it's growing more and more each day (ya!).  This weekend I harvested the ripe green pepper and used it in meatloaf, salad, and to top a pizza. My husband, Lulu, and Little Man said it was delicious - I'll take their word for it.. not a pepper fan.

I am, however, a fan of cucumbers.  And right now we have a cuke that is about 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I cannot wait to eat this sucker!!  We have three other cuke buds that look like they're going to survive the monsoon season (it's what I call August - monsoon season - we've gotten 3 1/2 inches of rain at our house since Sunday -- to put that into perspective, we got 3 1/2 inches of rain in July - the whole month of July - at our house.. I'm rambling on - I'll blame the rain). 

We also have lots of Lima bean pods that are fattening up rather nicely.  (Squeal!!!)

Remember how I mentioned multi-tasking in my first paragraph?  Well, I finally get to it here.. thanks for baring with me.

The kids started school last Wednesday and things are going VERY smoothly so far.  Ryan has done a fantastic job getting things ready for the year and redoing the school room (we've never had a room dedicated solely to school before!!).  So far they've done two units in addition to their regular work - the Olympics (of course) and Mars (of course) and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

OK, now I'm really getting to the multi-tasking thing... When I get home from work, we usually talk about the day and what the kids have done, then I start dinner while the kids start their homework (I'm in charge of math, writing, and science).  The schedule we have for now is that they begin/complete their writing assignment while I cook dinner, then we do math after dinner.  Science is reserved for the weekends (I love science, and I love weekends.. so it works out rather nicely).  

I'm not going to lie, my evenings are hectic and I frequently get overwhelmed and pressed for time.  But thankfully, the last week has been joyous!  We had enough time on Monday night to play a board game (educational of course) and enough time last night to really enjoy my mom's birthday.  I hope this lasts for quite a while!!

OK, I've finished eating my piece of homemade butter cream ice cream cake now, so I'll conclude the post. Hope I haven't made you too hungry.. ;)