Layout Design Help Needed !

So I have some work cut off for me. I know the tables are too big!! They fold down easily  They can be stored away. I am use to walls being in this space. I am confident that once the layout is figured out I could make everything else awesome.  I am starting out with Practical Life and art shelves. Also there will be a larger table that can accomodate older kids when they visit the space too.


                                                                         

The shelves can be lowered and also decorated. All the sewing machines are not needed. Shelf space I don't think with be a issue.

This is the other room where the snack table with be, also a volunteer table , microwave, and a mini refrigerator. The electrician will not be able to fix it for another two weeks.

Any suggestions are welcomed! Thank you!!

Volunteer Time!

The kids have been volunteering their time by helping with Brain Builders Inc., the non profit organization that I helped to organize. The last week of August we offered activities during a Kindergarten Camp at a local school and I must say that their enthusiasm and talents went far beyond my expectations of them. We shared our love of hands on fun with over 50 kindergartners, that rotated in groups of six to the different stations that were set up.


                                                                 

 After fooling around with circuits and making lots of play doh, Ken felt confident enough to give a lesson. She did an impressive job!

                                                                   

                                                         Squishy Circuits in Action!

Kennede was glowing with excitement as each kindergartner's light came up while be guided by her. Yep, she knows how circuits work, no testing required :)

                                                                           

 DJ was the guide at the Vinegar and Baking Soda Works table. I bet you guys already know that he rocked it out, especially if you are a reader of our past homeschool blog We Don't Need No Education.

In fact he did so well that he was offered a position as a third grade teacher assistant. Way to go Donovan!!

                     

                                                                                   

Nia and my nephew Christopher guided the Make Your Own Geoboard table. It was a success, their natural encouraging voices made it possible. After they made their reflections they said that it was kinda difficult for them to complete, but when they said "you can do it" the kindergartners got the job done. Both of them agree that the kindergartners liked it, and they should have more practice in the classroom improving their fine motor skills. They did well as a team and their smiles wear sported the whole time.

                                                                                 

We all agree that we did a great job preparing the Tin Can Robot Making activity. The other activities were sewing and marshmallow tower building with toothpicks and spaghetti noodles. Fun Stuff!!

We will be starting back our regular "school routine" next week. It does make this mama feel good that the kids are volunteering. learning how to present lessons and doing a fantastic job at it. We really do love to learn!!

                                 
I am linking this post to Montessori Monday.                                 

Squishy Circuits

We had a little impromptu lesson on simple circuits today. They have mostly learned about circuits using the snap circuits kit. While they were making the play doh they noticed that we were using sugar, distilled water and lemon juice. These were all things we have never used before when making play doh. This is the first time that we discussed conductors and insulators.

                                                               

I think this weekend we will make some circuits boards using a light bulb and also one with a buzzer. I know what they will be exploring tomorrow while I am organizing :) I love impromptu lessons!

Making it Your Own

The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations - Eli Khamarov

 We help operate a non profit that is operated out of our house, it sounds crazy doesn't it?  The kids help me out a lot, especially when I want to test out an activity that I will be doing. The Marshmallow Catapult will be an activity done in one of our weekly events "Get Unplugged!" it is for ages 6-9 years old.  DJ saw the materials and volunteered for this one. I showed him the pictures from this tutorial, so he could have an idea of how to get it started.                                                             

Now I know you may have seen a Marshmallow Catapult before or heard about it. I just wanted to share our Marshmallow Catapult engineering experience. DJ's catapult kept falling apart and finally he asked can I do this another way. He went and got some tape and the catapult was working to his liking. We have concluded that no two catapults will be just alike! I think our friends who attend  "Get Unplugged!" will totally agree with us. 

We are going to make some targets too, hopefully this will decrease the amount of marshmallow eating :)

How Lip Balm Is Made

I really love experiments that makes us aware of our chemical senses. My two Making obsessions right now are making Do It Yourself Kits and Hands On Learning Kits. I put together a lip balm making activity to find out if it would be worth it to make a  boxed DIY Lip Balm Kit. I set this activity up for children who were between the ages of 6- 16, and they all enjoyed it for hours. I simply put the materials out on the table, and asked  if anyone wanted to make lip balm, they said  "Yes" and then I told them "Great- the stuff to make it is on the table".  Yes, it would of been easier to just give the kids the directions on How to Make Lip Balm, but I aim to involve discovery in our experiments.

                                                                       

They measured, read the labels on the ingredients, sniffed a lot, licked their lips, and made a whole lot of concoctions! When it was all done and over they knew how to make lip balm,, their way and that was the point. Success!