The GI Tract Revealed to Middle Grade Students

We are currently studying Apologia: Anatomy and Physiology. This week's topic was the digestive and renal systems. We did not have an experiment in the book that was ideal for a group of kids so we went online to look for something that would illuminate the process of digestion a little better. We did find an interesting demonstration here, and it goes something like this--each part of the demonstration is supposed to simulate what is going on in the digestive process. This is what it looked like. The photos speak for themselves.

Food enters the mouth (a mixing bowl)

chewing

adding saliva

the bolus moves into the stomach through the esophagus

food is mashed up in the stomach with...

bile to break down fats

and stomach acid

at this point, it's getting a little stinky

Okay, here we go...

into the small intestines

eww...this is kinda' gross...

Oh, gross!

Girls, wait! Don't you want to see nutrients be absorbed?

So the boys are left to handle the absorption of nutrients

.

Grossed out, but still having fun with it...

Look out, guys! We have a gag-er!

I present your lower intestines!

and the final product...

If you would like to do this experiment, you can find it here on squidoo. It was extremely gross, but we laughed so much it was well worth it! I don't think the kids will soon forget the experience.

Week 9: Enjoying Fall's Last Beauty

This week my husband took Monday off to extend our weekend and take us all hiking in Shenandoah National Park. We didn't want to miss the color that is always so spectacular in October, so we drove out in the morning, hiked, drove some of the skyline drive, took in a sunset, and came home, exhausted! It was a gorgeous "October Skies" kind of day, though the leaves were perhaps a tad past peak color, and definitely past at the higher elevations, but it was still gorgeous. Molly hung in there for the whole 5 miles. I won't say that she didn't complain at a few points, but she was a trooper, and I'm pretty sure that more family hikes like this are in our future.

The sky really was this blue and the leaves this yellow--no Photoshop!

Dad and his hikers

A rare instance of me in front of, not behind, the camera

Explorer extraordinaire

This is my Father's World

The rest of the school week was fun. In science we talked about digestion and all its implications, which of course the kids find both humorous and gross. We finished our studies of WWI and will pick up with prohibition and the roaring twenties next week.

Matty and I took a bold new step and went to visit  a Cross Fit class with a friend. Holy Moly! I have never been so sore after a workout of any kind, but in this bizarre kind of way I am enjoying the feeling. Matty absolutely loved the Cross Fit Kids class and is dying to go back. He is also very sore. I went back today for another "beat down" (as my bff calls it) and, being the glutton for punishment that I am, signed us up for a year. I won't deny it--I really hate exercising, but I hate feeling fat and lazy even more. I figure if I am going to be miserable, let me be miserable for a short time, get the job done, and pass the extra time enjoying the results.

I am posting our science experiment photos in a separate blog post. They're just too gross--funny, but gross--so if you are not into the gastrointestinal tract and all its amazing features you I will not subject you to looking at the experiment and it's lovely results. If you love seeing kids have a great time doing science, then pop over to that post. I know for sure it is an experiment the kids will not soon forget.

Well, happy weekend. Time to batten down for hurricane Sandy.

Wordless Wednesday: Winnie Wonders What to Do

Week 8: The Week in Pictures, with a History Focus

This week we were playing a bit of catch-up in history. I have allowed ourselves to move a bit more slowly this year with Tapestry of Grace than last year, and by doing so have been able to get other things done such as science and more geography. Writing has been a leap-ahead in terms of skills development, so this has taken more time. This being the case, we decided to take a week and work all of our lessons around a history theme, that being the final years of WWI and America's involvement in the Great War. Matty wrote a chronological narrative of some of the events in which America was involved, and Molly completed lap book mini-books about the things we have read concerning the topic. We took a day for a Kennedy Center NSO concert and afterward took a short jaunt up the road to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Friday we took the day to go visit my Mom and sister's family, and picked up some fun new experiences there, as well!

Matty's WWI timeline page

Molly's Unit 1 lap book so far

Molly's 3-D mini-book depicting the Christmas day soccer game between Germans and British soldiers in WWI, as described in the story War Game.

The serendipitous Kennedy Center picture for which my friend was reprimanded by the ushers

!

Graffiti wall in the American History Museum...fun!

Legos are more fun when they aren't your own. (also at the American History Museum)

A pit stop at Starbucks--waiting for treats.

Learning to drive Uncle Mark's boat!

She'll have her captain's license next week...

Spending time with Nanny!

Week 7: Short and Sweet

After last week's post about reflecting on the first part of this term and how much more at ease we are, we were further blessed to have an extra-long weekend and some wonderful time with family and friends.

Last Friday evening we "christened" our new patio with a fire in the fire pit and invited friends over to make pizzas. They settled in and stayed late and we laughed and joked and laughed some more. On Saturday morning when I woke, I felt refreshed and happy and wonderfully content. It struck me that as we are working hard on doing all that we should to care for ourselves and our families, that time of refreshment and fellowship with friends is as vital to our well-being as good sleep, food, and time to play and reflect. The weekend continued with cleaning chores and laundry, church, Sunday afternoon football and a family movie night. The boys made us girls the most delicious nachos I've ever tasted! Monday we went on a hike in chilly, overcast weather. Once home I made homemade hot chocolate for my kiddos, and their satisfaction was evident!

We had a visit from my bff and godson this week, so that left us only two days for lessons and one for co-op, so we focused on science and reading this week. We learned about our muscles and how to keep them healthy, and read our history assignments, but will cover the discussion questions on that next week.

It has been a good week. I am learning that real rest and relaxation leads to more productivity during the working hours. Even though we only worked three days this week, those working hours were focused and well-spent!

Learning how to use the microscope

Looking at muscle tissue under the microscope

After a productive day of school--clean up time!

Molly completed her first cursive assignment!

Modern Dick Tracy