21/22 - STEM

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Science

Last fall, the kids attended another farm day at Heritage Farms. They helped harvest sunflower seeds to be used for dye, were able to have hands-on experience with some of the farm animals, and check out the plants growing in the greenhouse, among other activities.

We began our second vegetable garden. We learned about winter sowing and each child planted their own seeds in miniature greenhouses (milk cartons). We tore up an old tree stump in the yard to make room for our garden beds, which meant we were up close and personal with the ecosystem beneath the old stump, and were able to observe tiny organisms that lived within the trunk and roots including insects, grubs, worms, and different fungi. We also began a compost pile, and these experiences led to lots of conversations about the decomposition, ecosystems, soil, and how to better care for the environment. 

We also took a few field trips to the zoo and the girls enjoyed many books about animals (listed in their booklists). Chase wants to be an "animal doctor" when she grows up!

Kept a bird feeder and recorded a few birds that frequented it.

Observed the planets and stars in the sky, noted how their positions changed, and identified stars versus planets. Began a course in astronomy but put it away for the remainder of the year.

Countless YouTube videos and documentaries about science.


 

Books read/used:

Paddle to the Sea
Among the Pond People (Chase)
Among the Meadow People (Chase)
Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock
Cardinals, Robins, and Other Birds 
North American Wildlife
Animal Encyclopedia

Math

We utilized Kahn Academy for much of the school year, but at the beginning of 2022, Austen preferred to use a workbook. Austen and Chase had access to their own math workbooks and did about one or two pages a day, while River continued to use Kahn Academy and decided on his own to start 7th grade math course, which he has been working at his own pace and thoroughly enjoying!


 



Played the following games that focused on STEM/logic skills:

Pokemon Labyrinth
Chess
Multiplication Bingo
24
Proof!
Remember Eckolo
Multiplication Bingo
Bird Bingo
Ocean Bingo
Ticket to Ride
Clue
Prodigy Math online

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