Soon I will need to transition from Biology into Geology and Astronomy (Waldorf grade 6), Physics: Heat, Sound, Light (Waldorf grade 6), and Physics: Simple Machines (Waldorf grade 7). As I wrap my mind around how to present this -- through Zoom -- over the course of the next six or so weeks, I am going to put some brainstorming here. I welcome suggestions!
Biology
SC.3.4.1. Cells, Tissues, Organs, and Organ Systems: Compare distinct structures of living things that help them to survive
- my main resource here is a Montessori three-part card material
(we just finished doing the cards for Fish)
Characteristics of Vertebrates: Amphibians
The Mystery of Darwin's Frog
by Marty Crump
read Alligator by Evelyn Shaw and do the Reptile cards
read A Nest of Wood Ducks by Evelyn Shaw and do the Bird cards
read Elephant Seal Island by Evelyn Shaw and do the Mammal cards
A Platypus, Probably
by Sneed B. Collard III
watch Newborn Baby Gray Kangaroo video
narrated by Sir David Attenborough, from BBC Earth
we already read this as part of another block, but How Whales Walked into the Sea by Faith McNulty would be perfect here too
How Whales Walked into the Sea
by Faith McNulty
Geology
SC.3.8.1. Earth Materials: Describe different Earth materials (e.g., rocks, minerals, sand, soil) and explain their formation and composition
- use the Second Great Lesson as a transition to the Rock Cycle
The Pebble in My Pocket: A History of Our Earth
by Meredith Hooper
Rock Cycle Chart (PDF)
Starburst Rock Cycle Experiment (PDF)
note: you can also place the “Metamorphic Rock” in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds to turn it into magma
watch Episode 5 of James May: Our Man in Italy (1:05 - 5:05 ONLY) to see the marble quarries of Carrara in Tuscany, Italy
fun fact: a scientist told me that there ARE original igneous rocks on Planet Earth from when it first cooled... which have never been destroyed in the rock cycle... they remained as-is for billions of years
The Mountain That Loved a Bird
by Alice McLerran
what do you think are the ingredients in soil?
Four Components of Productive Soil Lesson
how much productive soil is there to feed all the people of the world?
Apple Lesson
The Hand-Sculpted House: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage
by Ianto Evans, et al.
Shake Test, p.122
we already read this as part of another block, but How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World by Faith McNulty would be perfect here too
SC.3.8.2. Forces That Shape the Earth: Describe how the water cycle is related to weather and climate
- use the Second Great Lesson as a transition to the Water Cycle
The Drop in My Drink: The Story of Water on Our Planet
by Meredith Hooper
make Oobleck and then leave it out overnight; as the water evaporates back up in the air, it will turn back into cornstarch again
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
by Dr. Seuss
we already read this as part of another block, but Pink Snow and Other Weird Weather by Jennifer Dussling would be perfect here too
Physics: Heat, Sound, Light
SC.3.6.1. Energy and Its Transformation: Define energy and explain that the sun produces energy in the form of light and heat
- discussing weather leads us perfectly into wind (physics: heat)
EnergyWorks Student Guide (PDF)
this keeps being released in new forms so I would recommend downloading the PDF now if you like it!
background reading from PDF:
Heat and Energy, pp.4-11
- "Heat Is the Motion of Molecules"
diagram: Water Molecule
"Molecules Vibrate, Spin, and Move"
diagram: Solid / Liquid / Gas
add to MLB
"Heat Seeks Balance"
"Movement of Heat in Fluids"
diagram: Convection in Liquids / Convection in Gases
"Wind is a Convection Current"
diagram: Land Breeze / Sea Breeze
add to MLB
"Expansion and Contraction"
diagram: Molecular Expansion
175 More Science Experiments to Amuse and Amaze Your Friends
by Terry Cash, et al. (WEATHER section)
- Heat from the Sun, p.135
The World's Winds, p.138
The World's Currents, p.139
Water -- Warm and Cold, p.139
practice reading a thermometer:
Thermometer, p.12 of PDF
I also really like Exploring Heat Transfer, pp.13-15 of PDF
Air and Weather V chart from vintage 1960s "Air and Weather" science concept charts
Published by the F.A. Owen Publishing Company in Dansville NY.
Prepared by Donald Nasca and designed by Cynthia Amrine.
SC.3.6.2. Waves: Explain how things make sound through vibrations
- discussing weather leads us perfectly into thunder (physics: sound)
we kicked off this topic with "How Good Is Your Hearing?" from 175 More Science Experiments to Amuse and Amaze Your Friends
background reading from PDF:
Sound and Energy, pp.50-54
175 More Science Experiments to Amuse and Amaze Your Friends
by Terry Cash, et al. (SOUND section)
Sound Waves, p.14
Vocal Vibrations, p.14
Seeing Vibrations, pp.14-15
Make a Sound Cannon, p.15
How Good Is Your Hearing?, p.17
Make a Yogurt-Cup Telephone, p.21
Sounds in Your Head, p.29
Make a Grass Squawker, p.38
Balloon Sounds, p.43
Noisy Bug Sing-Along
by John Himmelman
sound wave page in the back
SC.3.6.3. Waves: Explain how light traveling in a straight line changes when it reaches an object
- discussing weather leads us perfectly into sunshine (physics: light)
background reading from PDF:
Light and Energy, pp.22-28
175 Science Experiments to Amuse and Amaze Your Friends
by Brenda Walpole (LIGHT section)
practice reading a protractor:
Protractor, p.29 of PDF
bouncing light:
Exploring Light 5, pp.34-35 of PDF
"More and More Reflections" from 175 Science Experiments, p.137
you could also read The Secret Three by Mildred Myrick and do "Secret Writing" from 175 Science Experiments, p.136
make a Periscope
bending and breaking light:
"Magic Money" from 175 Science Experiments, p.140
"How Lenses Work" from 175 Science Experiments, pp.144-145
"Make a Rainbow" from 175 Science Experiments, p.154
"Color Spinners" from 175 Science Experiments, p.155
The House of Four Seasons
by Roger Duvoisin
absorbing and blocking light:
Exploring Light 6, p.37 of PDF
"Playing with Shadows" from 175 Science Experiments, p.133
Astronomy
SC.3.8.3. The Universe: Safely observe and describe the basic movements of the sun and moon
SC.3.8.4. The Universe: Describe that constellations stay the same, though they 'appear' to move across the night sky
- looking at light and eclipses moves us into Astronomy
The Day We Saw the Sun Come Up
by Alice E. Goudey
make a Sundial
Shakespeare in 100 Objects: Pocket Dial
can your child explain why you have to set the month first in order to use this?
we already read this as part of another block, but How We Know the Earth Is Round by Patricia Lauber would be perfect here too
Physics: Simple Machines
SC.3.7.1. Forces and Motion: Compare how simple machines do work to make life easier
- Last on the list! I think that moving into the Third Great Lesson -- early humans -- is the best choice here. We can go from early human understandings of lights and shadows to huge building projects like Stonehenge (recall The Story of Clocks and Calendars by Betsy Maestro) and the pyramids (recall Pyramid by David Macaulay).
Waldorf has a lovely block in 7th grade on Mechanics and they spend an entire month on Simple Machines (Lever, Pulley, Wheel & Axle, Inclined Plane, Wedge, and Screw) doing tons of science explorations.
Picture Books for Simple Machines blog post
175 Science Experiments to Amuse and Amaze Your Friends
by Brenda Walpole (MOVEMENT section)
Investigate Friction, p.104
Friction in Water, p.104
Reducing Friction... with Water, p.106
Reducing Friction... with Oil and Grease, p.107
Investigate Slopes, p.108
Rolling Along, p.109
Spin the Book, p.110
Changing Direction, p.111
Jumping Coin Trick, p.114
Make a Water Wheel, p.125
Make a Steam Boat, p.127
we already read these as part of another block, but Locomotive by Brian Floca and All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine by Monica Kulling would be perfect here too
This post contains affiliate links to materials I truly use for homeschooling. Qualifying purchases provide me with revenue. Thank you for your support!
Immersive Experience
Immersive Experience
Immersive Experience
1 comment:
This Waldorf grade 6 Physics block is often called "Sound, Light, Heat" but I've done it as Heat, Sound, Light and it worked exceptionally well. Heat travels in a different way from sound and light, and it is more intuitive so it is a good starting point. And ending with light (and the sun) is an easy transition into electromagnetism.
Post a Comment