Home school tips?

we homeschool our kids too. they are 11 and 13 now. both are girls. we have found alot fo good stuff as far as science goes and history on pbs.org. it has been a great site. also if you type in free stuff for science teachers great list come up with all kinds of ideas that are cheap. we got a crystal making kit from hobby lobby for the 11 year old last year and she loved it it was like 20.00 and well i think that was the best kit we have got yet for her. also look around for knex sets. ebay has them. they are really cool you can make ball drops and all kinds of things hubby and the kids love them. he plays with them for hours and hours with the kids. granted i have had a whole fairground in my house from it. they make roller coasters, ferris wheels all kinds of things with them and they all move and work. the kids stuck the poor hamster in there a few years ago. now they get there little dolls and stick them in it and play at times they think its funny.

Oh yes I homeschool my daughter and my son is starting a kindergarten prek program mix. I use the Abeka because everything comes with it and I love it. I have done extra activities and art projects. I have a schedule that we stick to. Try different things. Stuff that she likes to do. If she is more quiet then just reading or what ever. Since I have 3 kids I take breaks between subjects and do snacks and playtime. So our school time can last a good part of the day but they have fun. There are lots of websites that you can get free printouts for coloring, art projects. Go on field trips and try a co-op in your area. Find other people that homeschool in your area that always seems to help too.

Hi Shelly, I recently wrote an article about rock candy and how it is not only a good science project, but fun to eat when you are finished. I'm including the article here so you don't have to search the URL. Hope this helps. Oops. it wouldn't let me paste, so I'll try to write it here. You will want her to do more research, I'm sure as this article does not go into why the crystals form and she will need to understand that. Read all of these instructions before starting. How to Make Rock Candy With so many choices at the candy counter, rock candy is no longer a poplular choice. It can still be found in specialty stores behind glass counters. It can be appealing with it's rainbow of colors formed into little glass like rocks stuck to sticks or string. If you have young children, this can be a fun project to share with them. If you have school age children this is a great science or 4-H project. And then, of course, they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. What You Will Need Clean glass jar 1 cup water 3 cups white sugar Butter knife or wood skewer Cotton string Large mixing bowl Tablespoon Making Rock Candy Step 1: Cut a piece of string long enough to tie around the butter knife and hang into the jar, but not touch the bottom or sides. Step 2: Pour the water into the pot and bring it to a boil on the stove. Step 3: Add the sugar to the water (a little at a time)while stirring. When the sugar will no longer disolve and is visible at the bottom of the pot, the sugar water is ready. Step 4: For clear rock candy, use the sugar water as it is. If you would like colored rock candy add a drop or two of food coloring and stir. Step 5: Pour the sugar water into the jar. If the child is too young, the adult should do this part as the water will be hot. Be careful when getting to the end of the sugar water solution. Do not pour the undesolved sugar in the jar, but discard it. Step 6: Put the butter knife into the jar, letting the string fall into the sugar solution. Step 7: Cover the jar with a paper towel and place it in an area that will not be disturbed by any vibration (the top of the refrigerator would NOT be good). Do not seal the jar with plastic wrap or foil. The air needs to be able to circulate. Step 8: Check on the rock candy in about a day to see if the first formed crystals are taking place. If possible, take a digital picture each day so the child can show progress in their report. Step 9: When the crystals have stopped growing, remove the string rock candy from the jar. Lay them out to dry on a paper towel. Tip: If you decide to attach something to the bottom of the string to hold it down, don't use a fishing weight as they are lead and toxic. Look for something in the kitchen. If no crystals grow on the string it is because you did not get the solution saturated with enough sugar. Good luck and have fun with her.