Seeds, Sprouts and Second Grade Science

Our first "science experiment" of the year! Simple seeds and sprouts. Second grade science is very similar to first grade science. The first chapter of his science workbook include information about plants and the life cycle of a seed, parts of the male and female plants etc. There was an experiment, that he skipped many lessons to get right to.

Navy bean sprout with long, strong roots, ready to plant.

Kurtis wanted to follow the experiment exactly, which instructed placing the seeds with a damp towel on a tray. I knew they would dry out, (regardless of how many times I refilled it with water!) and suggested placing the seeds in a plastic ziploc bag instead. He did not believe me, of course! In the name of science, we did both, to prove which method was best. We used what we had on hand...sunflower and chia seeds, and white navy beans.

Look at those roots!

The seeds in the bag did splendid. After only a few days there were sprouts and roots. One seed on the tray sprouted but the paper towel dried out daily. It wasn't long before the seeds in the plastic baggie, were ready to plant.

This sprout stands tall!

This is a picture of our first sprouts.

Today he took the white navy bean sprouts, which had the longest roots and planted them into his pirate garden. I hope they continue to grow well. After this, (and after digging through everything to find his 'nature journal' that had mysteriously gone missing) he drew sketches of the sprouts and roots, then sat in the back yard for some observation time of the garden, sketching his observations into his journal...which included an explosive bomb? I don't know, guys...seven year olds! I just don't know. He promptly erased it when I  reminded him that I didn't believe he witnessed a bomb in the back yard. 

I think science used to be a challenge for me? I can't really remember but it's certainly not now. I love it and everything about it. It's so exciting and I love over-lapping into other subject areas, covering the full spectrum of S.T.E.A.M! 

Into the garden they go!

Welcome to Year 19!

I wrote a similar post last year...declaring it year 17 and I was totally wrong. Don't hold it against me that I did basic math wrong.

Samuel is now in 11th grade, Bird in 9th and Kurtis bringing up the rear (kicking and screaming, literally) in second grade this year. It's been a wild ride but over all, I am happy with how I have endured and what we have accomplished. Especially when I really had to start flying solo. I have continued on this path of home-educating because I really believe it is the best form of education over all and the best way for my children and our family. It has cost us, as all good things do.

It's interesting to watch the middles interests develop and their skill grow. Both are continuing to take art as an elective. Samuel is pursuing dance more seriously. Liberty, starting highschool, is taking a-g courses, which is a college preparatory path to graduation. She says she is going to take a break from the theater program, at least on-stage but I sincerely hope she changes her mind. In the end, it will always be her choice.

Kurtis, sigh, is still Kurtis. Haha. He's enjoying every aspect of life to the fullest. It's always been a challenge to get him to sit down, but that is ok. I am not above bribery and other methods of encouraging him to cooperate. He is very bright and picks up concepts quickly so after hours of fighting with him to do a page of book work--he can finish it in three minutes flat. True story!

We had a terrific summer. Really full with lots of outdoor time. I plan to continue our weekly hikes. Middles will have their evening classes and their Tuesday writing class...so far that is it. Which is more than enough and enough to keep this momma hopping and dependent on my phone calendar!

It's the beginning of a brand new year and we usually start strong. I hope we can maintain momentum, not too fast and not too slow. A girl can dream! I don't have any great vision or expectation for this school year yet. I don't even know if I should and if this is a bad thing or not.

Back to School--Year 17

How I got here, I never would have imagined. Quite a career I've had, with out any cost-of-living wage increases, no paid sick leave and absolutely no bonuses or retirement. Sigh. I do have concerns for my future...for now though, I keep on keeping on.

The Ktbunch...at oldest' wedding last week.

Samuel is in 10th grade this year. Wow. Only a few more to struggle get through. He'll have more dance classes this semester and that should be good for him.  

Randomly practicing his hand stands.

Bird's in 8th grade and I feel very excited for her. I am intentionally challenging her more this year and hope she rises to the occasion. I've also decided to have him officially evaluated for a learning disability. I hope to have it on record, though it's been so long. As he nears college, I feel it would be beneficial to have a paper trail to follow him. I am over-joyed that he even desires to go.

Bird, in charge of the guest log at her oldest brother's wedding last week.

Kurtis is in 1st grade. He likes to pretend he can't do anything, like read. I wonder why? My oldest used to do that too but it was to get away from people who were trying to quiz him.

This sweetheart showing off his cool hair.

Working at the tutoring center this past year has really reignited my passion for education. I have pulled out the manipulatives I had stashed away, the learning toys and created games on my own, primarily for Kurtis but it's been fun again. 

I actually spent my summer vacation teaching daily boot camps the tutoring center hosted. At first I was working with 3-5 graders, then I was switched to a first grade class on my own.  That was really fun since Kurtis is actually entering first grade. I found a lot of lap books, and unit studies to go along with classic pieces of age appropriate literature, as well as free printouts to work with themes.

Everyone is feeling really positive about this school year. I know it won't be easy juggling work and the ktbunch's educational needs and demands, but as always, I am trusting God in this. He hasn't let me down so far...