Inclusive Homeschool

This site is really awesome! I think you would like it a lot. Robert Krampf is funny and he teaches you a lot of science experiments that you can do and learn, and even have some fun.

You have to be a member to see the full videos, but you can see this full video about making butter for free.
http://krampf.com/members/experiment-videos/making-butter I’m going to try it myself, and then I’ll come back and tell you what happens.

It’s $20 a year. I think it’s worth it and I think he’s cute.

Tags: experiments, robert krampf, Science

One of the best videos I’ve seen on consumption and the impact it has on the environment and the world by Annie Leonard, http://www.storyofstuff.com

A description from their website:

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns, with a special focus on the United States. All the stuff in our lives, beginning from the extraction of the resources to make it, through its production, sale, use and disposal, affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues and calls for all of us to create a more sustainable and just world.

I loved it. The fast pace is not initiated by tons of flashy images and a string of 20 second sound bytes. It’s strength comes from the veracity of the facts and statistics and the passion of Annie Leonard. It’s obvious how she leans politically, but since I lean in the same direction, I’m fine with it.

Regardless your political beliefs, the truth Annie Leonard shares about how our consumption is affecting the planet and everyone in it is invaluable. Our rampant consumerism affects everyone…and in the end, without prejudice.

More information about Annie Leonard from her bio on the website:

Annie Leonard is an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, with more than 20 years of experience investigating factories and dumps around the world. Coordinator of the Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption, a funder collaborative working for a sustainable and just world, Annie communicates worldwide about the impact of consumerism and materialism on global economies and international health.

With Annie’s first hand experience of witnessing the impact of our consumer driven society, I think Annie has plenty of room to be as passionate and direct as she is in her advocacy.

You know, much is made of “living books” in the homeschool movement, authors who write books on topics they are passionate about. I believe this is a “living video”, as the person with the passion for this subject is the one standing in front of the camera and not a narrator. It definitely comes across.

There are free downloadable pdf files - tips, invitations, taking action, group activities, discussion guides and posters to help facilitate a screening of the movie (which you can download for free, btw). The discussion and group activities pdf files make this a great homeschool resource for use in the home or in co-ops.

This movie is thought provoking and well worth watching. When Brhiannon comes home from her dad’s, we’ll be sure to watch this together and go over some of the discussion questions and activities.

Highly recommended.

Tags: environment, free resources, lesson plans, movies, Resources, Reviews-Movies, Science, sustainability, unit studies

Don’t forget, the Great Backyard Bird Count is in session now! You can still participate. It runs February 15 through the 18th.

And you don’t have to do it all four days. Just taking the time to stop once and really observe around you, to be mindful of the little creatures that share our space is worth the doing!

Tags: birds, network, Science

From February 15th through February 18th, you and your child have a fantastic opportunity to not only engage in a scientific research, but to connect with others across the continent. Adults and kids alike participate in this four day bird count, tallying their count online at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ with other science and bird enthusiasts. It’s a wonderful online collaboration.

This from their website:

Participants count birds anywhere for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time…As the count progresses, anyone with Internet access can explore what is being reported from their own towns or anywhere in the United States and Canada. They can also see how this year’s numbers compare with those from previous years. Participants may also send in photographs of the birds they see.

Sparrow

Why Count Birds?
Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.

We need your help. Make sure the birds from your community are well represented in the count. It doesn’t matter whether you report the 5 species coming to your backyard feeder or the 75 species you see during a day’s outing to a wildlife refuge.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids

They have a section just for kids, http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids that’s written directly to kids. It has clearly written directions on how to participate, various puzzles, online quizzes, coloring sheets, bird song identification, and bird guides.

My only confusion is that on the kids page the dates are listed as 16th through the 19th, which is a day later than stated elsewhere on the site. I will email the webmaster and inquire about that. I’d start on the 15th if you want to do the full four days.

We’re not studying birds right now in our science adventure, but that’s what’s so wonderful about homeschooling. We can switch our “curriculum” anytime we want, depending on what life presents us.

[Thanks to internetclipart for sparrow graphic]

Tags: birds, network, Science