Pop Quiz -Science Experiment

It was the last week of school. Another 5th grade mom asked me what Treyson was doing for his science experiment. What?! I hadn't heard of any science experiment. Then I found out it was due in 2 days! Nice.

 I got on the internet and tried to find something that could be done quickly. Of course there were tons of ideas, but many took several days or weeks. Then I came across a popcorn experiment. I wasn't sure it was that "scientific" but it could be done in our time frame. 

We bought 3 different brands of popcorn and wanted to see which one popped the best (least amount of unpopped kernels). Treyson's hypothesis was that "Pop Secret" would pop the best, because it is a popular brand. His theory proved to be correct... by ONE kernel. The store brand (Fred Meyer) was definitely the worst and the cheapest. I guess you really do get what you pay for.

Counting kernels 

To top it off, we were informed that he needed a poster with specific requirements, as well as having to explain orally about his experiment. We put it all together to the tune of around $16! Crazy.

My favorite part was the "Acknowledgements" section;  "My mom bought the popcorn and helped me to pop and collect the data. My dad helped me print and make my display poster. My siblings helped me to eat all of the leftover popcorn." :)

I've said this before, but I'll say it again... I thought my days of homework were over when I finished school.

Not so...sooo not so.

Dr. Seuss Homework

More homework......

Treyson was assigned to do a report on a famous person. Dr. Seuss was his choice. When asked why he chose Dr. Seuss he said that it was because he liked drawing the characters in his books. (I did not know that.)

He was required to do a written report, as well as make this cube. Each side of the cube had pictures and information from his report. He was to use it as a visual aid while giving the oral report also required.

Most cubes weren't this large, but I thought that this rice box (from the cannery) worked well.... considering that the teacher wanted us to create our own cube without a pattern.

He said his oral report went well and that
"people were like 'WHOA!' when they saw how big my cube was".

Iowa State Homework

Taylee and I worked late into the night, Tuesday night. She had a state report due Wednesday. She chose to make a State Float, instead of a research paper or poster. (Although all the same information was required.)
Taylee's state was Iowa.
She learned many facts including; average temperature, population, ethnicity, crops, industry, Iowa's flag, state symbols and famous people.
John Wayne and Herbert Hoover rode on our float, both born in Iowa.

I liked the state symbols, seal and flag Taylee illustrated. They were very recognizable and detailed.

Good job Taylee. I hope WE... I mean YOU, get an A.

Homework

This school year, Taylee has had a book report and project due each month.

This month, she had decided she wanted to make a diorama.... but not just an ordinary shoebox type diorama....we had decided to make a terrarium!

Taylee is our granola, hippy, flower-child. She loves nature, creation and recycling. She's always trying to grow something, but feels she has bad luck in it. Usually a sibling or neighborhood child are the demise to her young seedlings. Undaunted, she was willing to try again.

We created little figurines and props out of "Sculpey", then gathered the supplies to make the terrarium diorama.

Take a look at this scene and tell me if you can guess the title of her book?

Hints:

It's a children's classic.

A robin helps find a key.

This character's name is Mary.

There's something secretive behind the door.

If you guessed, "The Secret Garden" you are absolutely correct!

Isn't it adorable?

Sorry, I can't play. I have homework.

This past Friday, I had to turn down an opportunity to go to, "Art in the Park", because I had homework.... oh, I mean Taylee had homework.

Her assignment was to create a newspaper, about herself. It had lots of details and things to be included in the assignment. It actually took 3-4 days to fully complete.

Included was: 3 advertisements, a letter to the editor, 2 personal stories, a cartoon strip, a single cartoon, an editorial and fantasy article about her making history as an artist.
All of them had to be typed up and then neatly arranged on a large piece of poster board. Taylee added a few photos and drew a couple of pictures to give it more interest.

I think we... oh, I mean she, did a great job.



PS- I've done more homework this year, than I have in the last few years combined... and we're only in the third week of school!!! I haven't had this much homework, since I was IN school. This is going to be a busy year.