Science and History Grade 2

Well school began on Monday and after 3 days we're doing pretty good with our new time-table, I think it will work even if we aren't timely.

Science
So we opened up our science studies this year with a unit on plants. So far we're learning about seeds. We have dissected Great Northern Beans and Blackeyed Peas and our field trip was to the Moe's where we got beans on our burritos and we peeled the skin off to to see the cotyledon (kah-til-ee-don) and embryo inside! I also have the remnants of our science experiment all over my computer desk here...

We have soaked some seeds in a solution of bleach and water (1 tbsp of bleach to 2 cups water) so the seeds won't mildew or mold. We then placed them in a ziplock baggie with moistened paper towel to so we can watch the embryo emerge, the roots grow down and then the leaves shoot up! We have one set on top of the fridge (for heat) and one taped to the window to see which ones will grow faster (the warm ones or the sunny ones). I'm setting up a lapbook as well to go with this unit, just because our unit provides cut outs and papers that go with it and I need somewhere to store the stuff and she'd like to be able to go back and look at it again later.

Ancient History
Here we are finishing up a unit on Ancient Greece - we opened with the Trojan War and are learning about the Trojan Horse, Odysseus, and the Odyssey. And though we won't be quite in tune with the Olympics there is also a unit on the Original Olympics and we might just pause there for a few days and explore some of the Olympic footage and info that surrounds Beijing 2008.

American History
I've accidentally opened up another can of worms and decided that we need to learn a little about American history. We're starting in 1764 with American Girl story Kaya. Learning about the Native Indians (Nez Pierce) and eventually heading down to our neck of the woods where we'll learn a little about the Creek and Cherokee Indians of GA - which will help us toward a girl scout badge Georgia Native Peoples. With that in mind we have built our Tepee in the living room, and are working on a nice set of moccasins for M and I. I may have to buck up and get another kit for S as I'm sure she'll feel left out, though I think I be able to fashion my own and just have M sew them together! :) Today we'll be reading about the "Trail of Tears."

Odd Creative Adventure
As an offshoot of History, Creative Writing, Art and other subjects M will spend the year designing a notebook around her imaginary birth place. In it so far I have asked her to share their calendar - which is apparently different from our Calendar. Their Flag which apparently looks like the British flag but is actually differently coloured

Language - we've started our way through English for the Thoughtful Child.
Math - we've dug out our Grade 2 Math book.

So there you have it... Most of what we've done the past couple days. Next week we have a few different adventures as we begin classes outside of the house.