Lego Mindstorm EV3 Puppy

Jaedan's lastest Lego Mindstorm EV3 project. 

Super Blood Moon 2015

Not what we expected but I did capture the moment. 

Discovering Cells

In this experiment, we took a thin slice of cork and looked at it under our microscope. Through the lens of our microscope, we “discovered” cells, just as Robert Hooke did over 300 years ago.

We also examined our cheek cells. Which gave the boys an opportunity to do a wet mount.

Next, we examined Human Cell Mucus, Mitosis - Onion Root and Mixed Bacteria Smear slides. This week they also had lab sheets to complete and a quiz.

Below is a slice of cork under the microscope. The first and last photo above are also cork.

Keeping Busy In The Lab

Jaedan has been really busy in his makers space this week. For his electronic class he built a homemade capacitor to get a better understanding of how they work. He also has been working with Minecraft animation in his 3d software. Soon he plans to start building mods for his Minecraft Server.

Death to the Prokaryotes!

One major type of micro-organism that causes spoilage is bacteria, which are prokaryotes. The experiment we performed today dealt with the area of biology referred to as food safety. Today we canned applesauce. The process of sterilizing food in containers using heat. Using a similar method developed by Nicolas Appert.

EV3 DIY Mission Board

Jaedan sharing a do it yourself project for his LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3.

Biology Cells Prep

The next few weeks in Biology we will be learning about cells. Here are a few models I made to help us in our studies. The above are Pinterest inspired Shrinky Dink animal and plant cells. You can find more information here. Below are definition strip cards I made using Microsoft Publisher.

LEGO Mindstorms EV3: My Block

Input and Output Arduino Lesson

This week Jaedan has been learning about inputs and outputs in his electronics class. To practice what he has learned he decided to demonstrate it using an Arduino microcomputer. Which is an open-source electronic prototyping platform allowing him to create interactive electronic objects.

He also plans to design a 3D printed enclosure for it in the future. It is exciting to see him use multiple components as he learns. 

Weekly Wrap - Up: Productive Week

We had a very productive week. I feel we are slowly getting back in the swing of homeschooling. Here are a few of the subjects we covered this week.

Science: Biology

• The Characteristics of Life
• Parts of the Microscope
• Famous Pathogen: Polio

Elective: Electronics (Jaedan)

• Input and Outputs

Elective: Photoshop CC (Malik)

• Pixels and Clipping Masks

Math: 

• Multiplication (Malik)
•  Divisibility and Factoring (Jaedan)

Language Arts: 6th Grade

• Types of Sentences
• Simple and Complete Subjects
• Simple and Complete Predicates 

History/Geography:

• England
• Hungry Planet: What People Eat Around the World
• What is Religion? 

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First Blender Lesson

Ben has really been having fun learning Blender 3D software. Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation. This is his first project a coffee cup. I really love how he added all the shadows and reflections of light.

Ben was maxing out his CPU making this cup. But because he built his system he put a nice graphics card (Nvida GTX 750ti) in it. So he switch to GPU rendering which his graphics card supports. So basically he told his computer graphics card to handle all graphic programs.

Weekly Wrap - Up: I Survived

This week was our first week back after what seemed to be a short summer. We school year round but in the summer we only focus on a few subjects. For some reason I always think I am prepared for the upcoming school year until it starts. After weeks of planning and organizing I felt burnt out the first few days, But since I don't have a substitute teacher on speed dial I had to do my job. 

The boys had a wonderful and productive week. They really enjoy their new more intense classes. Hard to believe I have a 6th grader, 10th grader and a senior who is dual enrolled this year.

Math Dyslexia

Malik often experience issues with mathematics. Somehow no matter how much he tries, he struggles with the multiplication tables. We have been studying the facts for years using flash cards, songs etc.

I am aware that he has a form of Dyslexia but never thought it crossed with his math until now. It is important for math to sound interesting to him. To effectively teach I have to, adopt new techniques.

This week he practiced his 3's time table. 

Our Backyard Biology Lesson

Math Vocabulary

With Jaedan entering middle school this year I want to focus on math vocabulary. My plans are to spread the terms out over the course of the next few years as he works his way through Pre-Algebra. 

Vocabulary instruction is essential to effective math instruction. Not only does it include teaching math-specific terms such as "percent" or "decimal," but it also includes understanding the difference between the mathematical definition of a word and other definitions of that word.

You can find the above vocabulary cards here

Happy First Day of College

When I see you....

When I see you, I see a combination of your father and I.

When I see you, I see our dreams for you coming true.

When I see you, I see hope for our next generation.

When I see you, I see strength and determination.

When I see you, I see our love manifested.

Wishing you much success on your new journey. 

Happy first day of college.

Mom