Geography - Work of Air

Legoboy is humoring me in another run-through of the earlier geography work he did ages ago - now that we have new tools, I want new photographs and to test what I hope is our final edits on the albums... Ok, so it's really to get some good solid review in, but shshshsh! don't tell this upper elementary child that! He thinks he is helping me out ;)

The flask is NOT empty! And air can hold up water! 

I love Partylite candles - they burn at a low temp.
Don't use Partylite candles for this demonstration. Guess why!
Use a tealight that burns a bit hotter ;) 

I kept the flame here because the smoke didn't show up well in the photo.
See how the flame is pulled into the tube?
Use the smoke with your children, not the flame.
Can you guess what happened as I took this photo? ;) 

Sample of Banded Line Paper

Lots of people ask about "Montessori Paper" and there are some mis-conceptions about what it is:

Banded Line Montessori Paper:
(note that there are further versions - these are just 3 types)

:)

Quarter-paper

full-pages cut in half

Full page

Coconut Oil and Chocolate

Legoboy wanted me to add this to our list of uses for Coconut Oil - while he had baking noted, this isn't baking really... it is SO simple, it could be a perfect primary level cooking activity, following a simply-created recipe booklet! And OH my! The variations a child could come up with!

Glorious chocolate ;)

http://healthimpactnews.com/2012/how-to-make-irresistible-coconut-oil-chocolates/

Add 3-4 tbsp of honey or maple syrup instead; and at least make sure you have a full tsp of vanilla.

Our final version: 

Simple Coconut Oil Chocolate Candies

• 1/2 cup Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder (raw cocoa powder is preferred)
• 3-4 Tbsp raw (preferred), local (if at all possible) honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Melt the coconut oil and add the honey. Whisk and add the cocoa powder. Whisk occasionally while pouring into a silicone ice cube tray or silicone mini muffin tray. Makes 12. Cool for 30 minutes in the fridge or freezer.

Note: Time varies depending on how hot the coconut oil was when you started. If the oil is only just reached its melting stage, these will set in as little as 15 minutes.

These were just the perfect first use of our silicone shaped-trays - perfect for candies, soaps and ice cubes! A young child could melt these over a hot cooking pad, or in a pan of warm water - the coconut oil liquefies at room temperature, so you just need to get it slightly warmer than that (so the other ingredients don't harden it up while stirring and pouring). The quantity is perfect for a child's first recipe!

Delicious! Perfect for Once Upon a Time withdrawal symptoms.... ;)

Legoboy spilled some; I spilled some more. No problem!
Still delicious!

Popped out of the tray - I love these silicone trays!

Montessori Homeschool Classroom Differences

Help me build this list everyone!

I want to create a series of blog posts each highlighting a particular difference between Montessori homeschooling and a Montessori classroom (in a school). As an AMI trained Montessorian and dedicated homeschooling mom, I am bound to see and miss different things than those with different backgrounds, so please let me know! :)

• 30-35 children in a 3 or 6 year span vs. 1-8 or so in a 1-16 year span. 

1. observation - positive "peer pressure"
2. availability of materials
3. inspiration and direction of interests

• Dedicated space - ramifications in both settings
• Longevity of materials - amount of use and durability requirements
• Resource availability
• politics - administration
• amount of time needed
• (ADD MORE!)

Our first year co-op room -
designed for homeschoolers ages 3-10, attending once a week

A bit of post-atrium fun

What we do after atrium on beautiful sunny days:
Please note - the photos may be redundant, but he is NOT intentionally making a silly face or hiding his face - he actually WANTED his photo taken - and I had to take the opportunity while I could!!!