We’re embarking on our explorations of the Winter Solstice, Advent time, and how humans have experienced the natural Sleeping Time on our planet over the course of our existence. Last night, we watched the 1994 version of Alcott’s, “Little Women” together. Lily seemed to enjoy it, though it was a bit longer than her attention could […]
Inquisition You Say?
Today we talked about the Inquisition – specifically where Spain was involved. The purpose of this exposure was to give Lily the opportunity to ponder what can happen when a group is granted absolute power, and maintains it through violence and fear. The Spanish Inquisition is often cited in literature and history as an example […]
Out of Africa, Or….
It started with the Croods… and then we watched a variety of videos (noted below) that explored the origins of humans, potential adaptations and various “types” of human through the last 40,000 years, and even explored a couple existing societies that we have collectively determined are the closest representations we presently have of a previous […]
Electrons – Continuing Elemental Exploration
Always in Motion As you know, electrons are always moving. They spin very quickly around the nucleus of an atom. As the electrons zip around, they can move in any direction, as long as they stay in their shell. Any direction you can imagine — upwards, downwards, or sidewards — electrons can do it. Electrons […]
She Asked… Oil
She asked about oil, where it comes from and how it gets processed so we can use it in cars, etc.. We have spent most of today exploring how crude oil has formed, how it is extracted, refined, and finally delivered for our consumption. We’ve also talked about fracking for natural gas, the uses of […]
Titanic, Hindenburg, H2O, and Plasma
We began our day talking about H2O, then discussed the Titanic, then the Hindenburg, then Mark Twain, then helium, then steam and how the Titanic was powered, which led to evaporation and the water cycle, and how snow is formed. We then studied snow under the microscope, and then onto the Plasma ball and conductivity. […]
Just Another Day to Cherish
Our yesterday, with the 7 year old: Breakfast over the Lego Movie in Hindi She built a snowcat while watching and eating, I worked on cleaning out our greenhouse/workshop and prepared the yard for the impending freeze. By 11am we were discussing the angles cut into pieces of wood (trim) that I was […]
The Year She's Carved Out
This is the first year Lils has had refined enough motor skills to manage the various tools necessary to carve a pumpkin independently. How excited she was yesterday, and again today, as she got to tell her friend all about her carving adventure. Last night she came bopping down the stairs, pumpkin in arms, lit and […]
Atmosphere & Americans
Yesterday, Lily inquired, as we were on our way to our Alamosa group for play and discovery, about the atmosphere and global economics. She indicated she understood the concept of the water cycle, mostly. Though I think she is skeptical at just how cyclical the whole thing is, but mostly, she questions where the water came from […]