Balloons

A friend suggested that we get our kids together to do some experiments. She had three in mind that all used balloons. We stayed with the balloon theme and ended up with seven fun experiments. Nothing serious, just some fun experimenting!

We started by creating static electricity. They had a lot of fun with this one.



Next we tried the "skewer through the balloon" experiment. This was cool! The kids predicted the best locations for the skewer to enter and exit the balloon. Unfortunately I didn't have any of the thin wooden ones so, we had to make do with a metal shish kebab skewer which proved to be a little more challenging. It took a few tries, but finally worked. The kids figured out that it was best to put the skewer through the area with the least amount of stress on it.



Here's a good one to demonstrate the difference between expansion and contraction. Since I didn't always have my camera at the ready, my pictures aren't the best, but you get the idea!



Check out this video for demonstrating centripetal force. The kids enjoyed this one and it could be expanded on in a variety of ways; different sized balloons, different objects, etc...







All kids love a chemical reaction. Try this simple one for blowing up a balloon.






And my personal favourite, the balloon hovercraft. It definitely helped to have another set of hands available to help stretch the balloon over the top. Very neat.



Next theme....lemons!

Couldn't resist!

In order to manage homeschooling this year while still working as a teacher two days a week I've traded child care services with two other friends who are also working. It's working out great. The kids are getting time with their friends, I don't have to stress about who's going to watch the kids and the kids get another adult for a teacher. On Thursdays, their 8 year old friend comes for the day and boy are we structured! These are pictures from our day. Luckily Mickey didn't have to go off to gymnastic! The kids did 6 hours of learning. Our friend's mom had sent his work along so he worked on that (mainly english and math) while I bounced back and forth between my two and helping him. It was especially good for my two to see what he was working on and he was able to read some of his compositions to them and share his ideas.

I got out an old desk I had. My unschooling friends are probably having convulsions right now! The desk was actually my dad's desk from grade school. It would be at least 70 years old. Mickey fell in love with it and she was pretty cute sitting in it.


In the afternoon we worked together on our Story of the World and our art lesson. While we may have very structured days, they don't all look like this! Trust me! We've had three field trips in three days and there was no in house learning but a lot of learning was still accomplished. I guess I am an eclectic homeschooler.