For the Birds~(The End of the Bird Unit)

 

A few days ago my youngest finished up his bird studies from HERE.

 

 

One of the experiments he did combined physics and biology.  One raw egg, one cooked egg.

SPIN!

Stop it in mid-spin.  The egg that keeps spinning is the raw egg...know why?

And...as a perfect ending we had a wren build a nest in one of our planters on the front porch.  We have enjoyed watching the babies grow!  The good Lord has done this numerous times--sending things our way such as this as we are studying about them! 

 

Now as we are finishing up our studies for the year, he is studying other flying creatures: bats!



My First Try at French Bread

This past weekend I decided to try my hand at French bread.  For some reason it seemed like it would be difficult, and I had always just stuck with making basic white bread or whole wheat. 

 

I was inspired to try it because of this flour I purchased at Nora Mill Granary:

It is high gluten, so it would be good for French bread.  (I hoped!)

 

 

I usually use my Kitchen Aid mixer to knead my dough, but this recipe called for kneading the dough by hand for 8-10 minutes.  (What a workout.  If you ever need to get out your frustrations in a constructive way...make homemade bread~!)

I had leftover flour...I should not have put all 6 cups in.  Maybe just 5, then worked in more as needed.



The final product! I have to say...it was yummy! I divided the loaves in half so they would fit on my pan. It would have been neat to have some of those gorgeous long loaves...but I just don't have a pan that big!

I found out that making French bread is a lot easier than I thought. I think I'll switch to this during the warmer months. It is less "heavy" than the traditional bread I usually make. Perfect with pasta or salad!





Blog Post Find of the Day: Preschool Discipline with No Time Out

      If you teach preschoolers at church you will want to listen to this 20 minute PODCAST titled: Preschool Discipline with No Time Out.  Mark is spot-on.



     I had the chance to meet "Mr. Mark at the VBS Institute I attended this past January. (He led a conference on decorations for VBS.)  We had a great time talking about learning centers and preschoolers!  His blog, Mr. Mark's Classroom is a great resource for anyone teaching kids at church.

Planting a Garden in the Mountains

We recently enjoyed a week in the Appalachian Mountains on the family farm. One of my sons' favorite activity was planting the garden with their Papa. 

 

Making rows the "old school" way! 

 

 

Taking a water break.

 

 

What a gorgeous day for garden planing!

 

 Pretty special day...My boys planting garden with their Papa in the same soil their ancestors planted garden in 150 years ago....



Free Scripture Printables from Home Life

I discovered a great freebie as I was reading my Home Life magazine yesterday: Printable Scriptures!  I've been admiring these creativly framed scriptures inside the pages of Home Life...but never realized I could print them out.  Here is an example of one I really like (and it's our scripture for VBS!)...........

 

Here's another one of my favorite verses:



Happy Printing!  

TOS Review: Science Naturally~~65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!

     Who doesn't love a good mystery?  Who doesn't love a good science lesson?  Okay, maybe not so many takers on that second question.  BUT....what if you combined the two?  That's just what Science Naturally did in 65 MORE Short Mysteries you Solve with SCIENCE!. 

  

 

Brief Overview

     65 MORE Short Mysteries you Solve with SCIENCE are part of the "One Minute Mysteries" by Science Naturally. This is a follow-up to the original book, 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! They are co-authored by a father-daughter team, Eric and Natalie Yoder. This award winning  book contains 65 science "mysteries" that you read aloud to your kids (ages 8-12).  (Your kids can also read them to themselves, they just have to solve the mystery before they turn the page!)  The science mysteries are divided into 4 main sections: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical and Chemical Science and General Science.  There are two smaller sections at the end of the book: "Five More Minutes of Mysteries" and "Bonus Section: One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math."  To help you locate even more specific topics, there is an index.

    

 

What our Homeschool Thought of the Book~How it Worked for Us

     We use this book everyday after lunch.  I read 2-4 mysteries each time.  This has worked out perfectly for us.  I just leave the book on the dinner table and read a few while my boys are finishing up their meal.  After reading the mystery, I give my 12-year-old the first chance at solving the mystery.  If he is stuck, my 14-year-old will give his answer.  Some of the "mysteries" are more challenging than others, but I feel that the suggested age range of 8-12 is pretty accurate.

     There are 2 things that I have found to be of benefit to us from this product.  1) Science Review.  Since my kids are 12 and 14, they should know pretty much all the answers in this book.  It has given me (and them) confidence in knowing that they really have learned a lot about science over the years.  The review has been great to make those science concepts stick even more.  2) Listening Skills.  After the first 2 or 3 mysteries, my boys and I realized just how crucial listening skills were in solving the mysteries.  This is a benefit I did not see coming...but an area I'm glad we're working on.

     My kids look forward to these mysteries each day.  On the afternoons when dad is home for lunch, he enjoys being in on the mysteries!  I love how the Yoders have made science part of everyday life in these mysteries, and how they have become a part of our day-to-day homeschool routine.

 

 

Cost of Product

The paperback is available for $9.95.  The book can also be purchased as a Kindle Ebook, for your B&N Nook, Kobo or iPad.

Sample
Click HERE to read samples of the science mysteries. Have fun trying to solve them!

 

Additional Products Available from Science, Naturally

CLICK HERE to find other great titles like: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math, 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math and 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science.

 

 

Special Price for My Readers!

      Science Naturally is offering a special deal for the readers of the TOS Reviews!  You can purchase any three books for only $19.95 with a shipping rate of just $2.95.  The retail price for three books with shipping is $35.80 (a $12.90 savings).  Just enter coupon code 3SPEC in the shopping cart at www.ScienceNaturally.com.

Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Crew!



 



 



 



Gearing up for Colossal Coaster World VBS!

Our church's Vacation Bible School is 8 short weeks away! A lot has been happening lately at our church in preparation for the big (or should I say "colossal") week!

 

T-shirts have been designed and are we are taking orders.

 

Kids are beginning to practice the VBS theme song on Wednesday nights at church so they can perform it the Sunday morning of VBS.  (And help lead it during the worship rally!)

 

Today is VBS National Day of Prayer. Our church took time in our service to pray for VBS. We also passed out prayer reminders...each family taking one name of a VBS volunteer to pray for.

 

Registration has begun.

 

 

Here are a few snapshots of our VBS meeting room where we have had our meetings for teachers and helpers.  I just love all the bright colors this year!