Letters From the Homefront

Simplified, the kids and I learned about when energy makes a change from one form to the next.  As put in our BFSU book:  First, energy always remains a form of energy. It may be converted from one form to another; it may be stored in various ways and subsequently released.  Nebel, Bernard J. (2007-11-30). Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding: A Science Curriculum for K-2 (p. 265). Outskirts Press, Inc.. Kindle Edition.  As I quickly read through this lesson, I wanted a visual way to show the kids about the relationship between the different forms of energy as certain circumstances bring about a change. I remembered this post from What Did We Do All Day , about making a quick 'on the fly' Venn Diagram, and was inspired.  (If it's hard to see, click the picture, and it should zoom in for you!) I wanted a way for them to connect the two energy forms that were changing, and this version of a Venn diagram worked well. Hoss ...

We are headed a new direction with Science as of late. I will admit here - this is not a strong subject for me. It never was, and I was really unsure of where I wanted to go with it. I have tried several things, even going so far as to scour books, trying to make it interesting and exciting - I just don't have a brain geared for a love of Science. Nor a way to make it fun! I know how Montessori teaches Science, but don't have the manuals to do so. I was at a loss, but decided to look again in to a book recommended by MBT at What Did We Do All Day? - Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (henceforth known as BFSU), written by Bernard J Nebel. An excerpt from the Introduction: "In summary, this text is designed to: provide a steppingstone-like sequence of lessons that facilitates systematic building of concepts; maintain interest by centering lessons on what children regularly experience; engage children’s own thinking in reaching rational conclusio...