The Wright Brothers

Propeller plane stuck in a tree.

Ian was intrigued by a short story we read about the Wright brothers and how they invented the airplane.  So, we read more books and learned what made the Wright brothers' glider successful: lift and control in three dimensions (roll, pitch, and yaw).  Ian asked me why the Wright brothers kept trying after their first glider didn't work, which led to a discussion about trial and error, frustration, and determination.  The Burgess brothers enjoyed flying their own gliders and rubber band propeller planes made from balsa wood kits.


Books:  The Flyer Flew!: The Invention of the Airplane by Hill;  Flying by Gail Gibbons;

Reference Books:  The Wright Brothers for Kids by Carson;  "Wilbur and Orville Wright" in What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know by Hirsch

Garbage, Garbage, Garbage!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Garbage, especially the trucks involved, is a popular topic at our house.  The boys help sort recycling and take out the trash.  They also help compost food scraps and yard waste.   Ian can describe in detail the different trash collection methods he has observed in Montana, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

This week we took a tour of the Centre County Solid Waste Transfer Station.  First, we watched a front loader and snaggletooth loader move and compact garbage.  Next we went to the recycling center, where workers were sorting and baling cardboard.  We also saw bales of aluminium cans and shredded newspaper.  We didn't get to see how steel cans are separated from aluminium cans with magnets, but the kids experimented with magnets and cans at home.

Books:  Here Comes the Garbage Barge! by Winter;  Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow: A Compost Story by Glaser;  A Day in the Life of a Garbage Collector by LeBoutillier;  Recycle! A Handbook for Kids by Gibbons;  Where Does the Garbage Go? by Showers;  Garbage Trucks by Tourville;  Buried in Garbage by Kalman

Videos:  Totally Trucks: Garbage Monsters;  Mighty Machines: Lights & Ladders

Rocks

Rocks from the garden and rocks we made.

Rock Activities:

• Rock Sorting  (Small Wonders by Garrett & Thomas)  Characterised rocks from our yard.  Hardness was tested with a fingernail, copper penny, and common nail.  We discovered that some of the rocks bubbled underwater.  
• "Rocks Aren't Forever" Puppet Show (Small Wonders by Garrett & Thomas)
• Made "igneous" crayon rocks by breaking up crayons and melting them in the oven.
• Made "sedimentary" rocks by mixing sand, plaster de paris, and water.

Books:  Re-Cycles by Ross;  If You Find A Rock by Christian;  Let's Go Rock Collecting by Gans

Videos:  Eyewitness: Rock & Mineral

Early Farm Life

Ian's weaving project.

Last week we joined a homeschool tour of the Pasto Agricultural Museum.  The museum collection includes rare and unusual farm and household items used before electricity and gas-powered equipment were available.  One of the gadgets used dog power to wash clothes AND churn butter at the same time.

At home, Ian learned to weave on a simple loom, and the boys learned how to play jacks.  We still use an apple peeler/corer tool similar to one we saw at the museum.  Ian said he also wants to have a hand tool that pits cherries. 

Books:  Old-Time Toys by Kalman & Schimpky;  Ox-Cart Man by Hall;  Historic Communities: Tools and Gadgets by Kalman;  American Tall Tales: Johnny Appleseed & Rip Van Winkle by Rabbit Ears (audiobook)