January 12, 2010 by KellyH.

As we moved into the second half of Chapter 10 (Vol 1) today, we focused on moons. Using the list of questions/facts from the 6th grade science objective #3, I started Googling phrases. First, I found this site:

The Lunar Clock at TheSwordbearer.org

This site taught us how to “read” the moon and then, based on its location in the sky, tell the time. Based on what we learned, the clock in the main graphic has the wrong time if we’re reading the moon correctly.

The other site I found quite interesting is:

The Moons of All the Planets

I didn’t realize that Shakespeare had such an influence on the naming of the moons of Uranus!

We also found a site that tells you how much you would weigh on the moon. Just plug-in your earthly weight and click the button:

The Moon’s Gravity at MoonConnection.com

I would love to hear about your “great finds” online and in books! Feel free to leave a comment here, on Facebook, or on the email list.

Posted in Volume 1, Science | Print | No Comments »

January 8, 2010 by KellyH.

Chapter 10 (Volume 1) has us studying the stars. In Bible lesson 4 we talked about how stars differ, and it was suggested that we study constellations. I pulled out my Handbook of Nature Study, by Anna Botsford Comstock. Part IV covers “Earth and Sky.” I highly recommend this book for anyone with children. It’s good reading, even for adults!

After studying the charts of constellations in the Handbook of Nature Study, I assigned the following for Creative Writing: “Create a constellation. Plot it, name it & sketch it.”

Of course, my daughter created an animal constellation–a bunny. Her older brother offered to work with her, and created a stick constellation that is actually attached to the bunny constellation (gotta give them credit for teamwork, at least). These two constellations were completely made-up, and not based on any existing stars.

My younger son decided that he was going to “find” something within the existing stars. After studying the charts a little longer, he created an acorn located between Pegasus and Cygnus.

I’ve always loved star-gazing, and it’s something my children have grown up doing as well. Once the weather gets a little warmer, we’ll be turning our eyes heavenward at night once again, looking for some of the new constellations we learned about this week, as well as finding new ones… like an acorn… or a bunny, holding a stick.

Posted in Creative Writing, Science, Bible | Print | No Comments »