A while back my kids got me addicted to Fruit Ninja. And although it is a fun little diversion, it is not really a learning game - and I love when my kiddos play learning games! So, today, I found Factor Samurai!
It is very similar to Fruit Ninja - only you slice composite numbers and try to avoid prime numbers.
Your child can select from a variety of levels from Grasshopper for beginners (which features smaller numbers) up to Master.
In this instance, your child would slice the 8 which would in turn break into 2 and 4, and your child would have to slice the 4 as it is another composite number. Super fun, and your kiddos will have no idea they are learning!
That is if you are unlike me, and you don't become addicted to it yourself!
Best part? The app is free at the itunes app store!
Nova has some amazing Earth Science resources for your older kiddos to check out.
The following NOVA resources will introduce students to the mysterious and sometimes violent functions of our planet. They will have an opportunity to explore ideas and concepts ranging from seismic shifts that cause destructive earthquakes to volcanic eruptions large enough to affect Earth's fluctuating climate and vegetation.
If your child is working on comparing and contrasting two of anything (books, math concepts, habitats, etc.) you may want to try using two paper plates for a fun way to present a venn diagram.
Head on over to CurrClick to download this freebie from Evan Moor. I don't know how long it will last, so head over and save it to your computer now. The download features activities for Kindergarten - 6th grade including:
I found these great free printable math and science posters for your older homeschooling kiddos. You can print them out, stick them in a sheet protector and have your child stick them in their binder/notebook/ or lapbook they are completing.
Scott Foresman has free online grammar and writing handbooks for Grades 1 - 6 on their website. Simply click on the grade level, select a lesson, and print out the pdf file associated with that lesson. This resource will make your lesson planning easy and will also save you money! Love it!
My boys absolutely love the poems at Giggle Poetry so I knew they would make a great writing prompt. I had them choose a poem and then finish these sentences:
1. I like/dislike this poem because….
2. This poem reminds me of…. because….
3. When I read this poem I felt…..
4. Some interesting or strong words that the author used were… I liked them because…
5. I would recommend this poem to…
I think that it is very important for my kiddos to be up to date on the current issues facing our country. The best way I have found to do this is by showing my older kids a 10 minute daily news program called CNN Student News.
You can stream the program straight from the internet, or use iTunes to download the daily podcast. It's simple to download: Open up your iTunes, go to the iTunes Store, type in CNN Student News, and download the current episode. It's completely free!
I recommend this program for all students 4th grade and above. It helps kids become more aware of their country and the events that are taking place each day.
Looking for a fun science project to do with the kiddos? Why not make a film canister rocket?
One empty 35mm plastic film canister and lid (You can ask a photo developing place to give you some, or you can order them HERE.
One fizzing antacid tablet (such as Alka-Seltzer)
Water
Safety goggles
1. Have your child put on the safety goggles and head outside. If you want to try the indoor version, do not turn the canister upside down in step 5. 2. Break the antacid tablet in half. 3. Remove the lid from the film canister and put a teaspoon (5 ml) of water into the canister. Do the next 2 steps quickly
4. Drop the tablet half into the canister and snap the cap onto the canister (make sure that it snaps on tightly.) 5. Quickly put the canister on the ground CAP SIDE DOWN and STEP BACK at least 2 meters. 6. About 10 seconds later, you will hear a POP! and the film canister will launch into the air! Caution: If it does not launch, wait at least 30 second before examining the canister. Usually the cap is not on tight enough.
When a seltzer tablet dissolves in water, a chemical change takes place and carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is formed. Most seltzer tablets contain a base called sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and dehydrated citric acid. When the tablet is place in contact with the water, the citric acid combines with the baking soda. Acids and bases undergo a chemical reaction when they mix, producing a gas and salt. In the closed container, the newly created gas has no place to go since the closed container is already full of air. This is like trying to add more air to a balloon that is already full. The pressure inside the container eventually escapes by blowing up the balloon, blowing out the cork, or blowing off the lid. This is the same thing that happens when you open a can of soda. You notice the fizz that it makes. The carbon dioxide rushes out, making a woosh sound.
The project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:
1. Does water temperature affect how fast the rocket launches? 2. Does the size of the tablet piece affect how long it takes for the rocket to launch? 3. Can the flight path be controlled by adding fins or a nosecone to the canister? 4. How much water in the canister will give the highest flight? 5. How much water will give the quickest launch?
If your not ready to try the experiment yourself, you can watch it on the video below:
Do you know what a canal, an estuary, and an archipelago are?
Find out with this engaging land and water forms lesson! Activity cards help students practice geography content vocabulary as they match the word, definition, and picture of each concept.
Krypto is a fun and challenging math game to give your little math wizards a chance to stretch their brains! You can try the on-line version here (it is self-checking which is nice), or you can grab deck of cards and play with the directions below:
You deal out five cards, then an additional card below. The object is to be first to figure out a way to combine the first five numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in order to come up with the last number dealt. For example, if the first cards were 6 / 1 / 20 / 7 / 8 and the last card was 5, you could combine them in at least two ways:
6 - 1 = 5 (the 6 and the 1 are used, you proceed with the 5)
20 ÷ 5 = 4 (20 from the original numbers and the 5 from the first step)
8 + 4 = 12 (8 from the original numbers and the 4 from step 2)
12 - 7 = 5 (12 from the previous step and 7 from the original numbers)
8 - 7 = 1
6 - 1 = 5
20 ÷ 5 = 4
4 + 1 = 5
Now try one for yourself: The first five numbers are 1 / 3 / 2 / 8 / 8 and the last is 10.
You can also purchase the game from the Amazon link below:
Just in time for the fall, have your child try this fun Halloween themed version of Pascal's triangle. The handout develops awareness of this important mathematical pattern in a fun way! Answer key is also included!
If your older kiddos are tackling algebra and need extra practice with order of operations, you may want to head over here to print out this free worksheet.
1. Have your child put on the safety goggles and head outside. If you want to try the indoor version, do not turn the canister upside down in step 5. 
Posts
