Sci Fri: Winter Adaptations
For Fridays projects, we planned a scientific scavenger hunt involving winter adaptations in nature. We found a list from the amazing Big Book of Nature Activities and sent the kids on a photography hunt.
1. Conifer branch that will bend, rather than break, to weight of snow.
h2. Conifer shaped like a cone, to shed weight of snow.
3. Deciduous tree that sheds leaves-to preserve water.
j4. Insect sac to protect eggs from freezing (praying mantis coccoon.)
h5. Insect gall to overwinter bugs.
hWhile warming up back indoors-we played another game from The Big Book of Nature Activities: human adaptations. I prepped several cards containing pictures of body parts/functions that have evolved over centuries; tails, claws, canine teeth, goosebumps, rhinarium (upper lip). On the back of the cards, were exercises to demonstrate use: tuck in a tail and attempt to send a message by distinct wags, immerse your arm in a bucket of ice cold water and watch what happens, tape pencils to your fingertips and attempt to pick up items or zip your coat, wet your upper lip and smell items from the fridge to see if it enhances that sense...
This was a very popular game!
Homeschool chat often involves discussion surrounding curriculum; do you purchase pre-written or pick your own topics of interest throughout the year and create activities that apply. We definitely do the latter, but make careful selection of which books we keep on the shelf for reference material and ideas.
'The Big Book of Nature Activities' is one of the books that we frequently borrowed
from the library-to the point where we realized it would be beneficial
to buy. It is not your typical Nature/Craft book, but rather takes you
through a year of events that occur in North America in the animal and
plant world. Surrounding those events are games, activities and facts. Virtually no arts and crafts pages. It is very
science-based with loads of hands-on work.
Most of our year is based around 1. Nature/Seasonal Themes 2. World History/events/celebrations. With those two topics-you have plenty of organic curriculum at your fingertips. Once we look at seasonal changes, historical events, world festivals-the calendar is chocked full. From there-I research novels, games and activities that give us a hands-on experience for our theme of the week.
There is lots of repetition in themes from year-to-year, which encourages review for the older children and introduction for the younger. We also try to add new projects or allow for activities in which the outcome is never the same. In this way-we can all learn about the same topics, but adjust projects according to skill level.