Winter 2015 : Forces

Nabil, Nazreen and Nazran have received list of topics to learn over the holiday to prepare for the next term. Nabil's lesson for next term is dynamics and forces.

On Thursday, when I went to the Harpurhey Market (second hand market on Thursdays) with my husband and Nazmi, I found this precious box for GBP3 <3 .="" i="">Alhamdulillah.

It consists of equipment to conduct 40 experiments on dynamics and gravity at home for kids.

The first few experiments we did that night was on surface tension. First, we found out whether a pin can float on water surface. Yes, it can for a short while. 

  This experiment was also on surface tension.

This experiment was on air pressure. Nazran has successfully turned the glass upside down without spilling the water.

The last experiment we did that night was whether an egg can float in a salty water (a lotttttttt of salt involved in this experiment). Yes, it can float. 

Nabil was so happy to get a heads up on his lesson next term. Alhamdulillah Allah eases our journey here. We have another 36 experiments to go!

Solar System

Yesterday, I taught the kids about our solar system. It was difficult at first because there are too many components in the solar system (apart from the planets). I decided to focus only on the eight planets. (No, Pluto is not a planet anymore since 2006 - it is a dwarf planet now).

First, I showed them the arrangement of planets in the encyclopedia. Then, we watched the whole solar system moving (planets orbiting the sun, the moons orbiting the planets, asteroids come and crushed planets, etc) in the internet.

And the fun part begin. They searched for nine round-based/cylindrical items and trace the circle around it, to drew the planets and sun of different sizes. They coloured it according to the photos on the internet. Then they stick the planets on the inner side of a box. #recycle

Nabil wrote the name of each planets, cut it and stick everything onto the wall.

Tada!

Our little solar system in the kids' room. To make them memorise it easier, we listened to The Planets Song all night. It kinda stuck in my head until now.

Science 101 - growing onion in a mug

Last year, me and the kids (my sons, nephew and niece) planted a few seeds and grow some vegetables in my parent's backyard, for learning purposes. It was hard for the kids to keep track of its growth and the worst thing was our neighbour's cats keep playing on the plants' buds.

This time, I took a few mugs which my dad wants to throw away for good and grow some onions. They can see it grow and the best part is the mugs are movable. They can put it on the table, on the microwave or anywhere else in our dining hall since it receives direct sunlight.

I put bamboo sticks for them to keep track of the growth. So far so good. When it is getting bigger, shall we move it into a jug?