Have you read Bartholomew and the Oobleck?

I used to think I was familiar with most of the books written by Dr. Seuss.  However as I began to research ideas for Dr. Seuss week, I realized there are so many Dr. Seuss titles that I have not read.  I had never even heard of Bartholomew and the Oobleck.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck was written in 1949.  This book follows the adventures of a young boy named Bartholomew.  Bartholomew must save his kingdom from a sticky substance called oobleck.

This is a great book to use for creating a lesson that incorporates both children’s literature and science.

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Have your children tried to wash dirty pennies?

Most kids enjoy washing anything and everything.  My kids are in heaven if I give them a bucket of soapy water and a sponge.  They will wash everything from their bikes to the siding on the house.  It is a great summer activity.

Since we live in Minnesota, the outdoor washing project must move indoors in the winter.  My son thought washing dirty pennies would be a good substitution.  We learned that pennies cannot be cleaned with soap and water.  Therefore penny washing turned into a science project.

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Is it just me, or does going through all the papers in a child’s backpack seem like an endless task?

There are art projects, short stories, homework worksheets, lunch menus, papers to sign and return and of course the 900 fliers from Community Education about joining a class.  Don’t they know I don’t have time to take a class because I am too busy sorting and recycling papers from backpacks?

In all honesty, I do like being informed on what is happening in school.  I like seeing how my children spent their day and the type of things they are doing in the classroom.

Last week when I was sorting through the madness, I saw that they sent a home a science newsletter/short magazine called Science Matters. In this was a list of science websites for kids.  I have only had time to start investigating some of them.  The ones I have looked at so far seem great!  I decided I would share the list, hoping that you and your children would find a few you liked.

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What type of lunch trays are used in your child’s school?

My son attends an environmental studies school which will be moving to a new site next year due to budget cuts.  At the new site, there is no dishwasher in the kitchen.  This I thought was rather odd.  Just wait, it gets worse.  Since there is no dishwasher all of the students will be using Styrofoam trays.  Yes an environmental studies school filling up the landfill with Styrofoam.

When I emailed the school board about this problem they sent me a message that said not to worry because the district’s trash company burns the Styrofoam to use as an alternative fuel.  Since I have not studied chemistry lately nor reviewed the EPA’s handbook on what can and cannot be burned, I am going to have to take their word on it.

However now I have learned that Styrofoam can leach chemicals into a child’s food.  What?!?!  New York City has taken an initiative to get Styrofoam trays out of their schools due to the environmental and health risks it causes.

Why do schools use these trays?  Is it simply because they are cheap?

Tip of the Day:

Find out what type of trays are used in your child’s school.

- If Styrofoam is used, take time to read the research and studies regarding these trays and its effects on your child.

- Make an effort to reduce or eliminate the amount of Styrofoam used in your home.

- Take time to read the information from the NYC schools:

Styrofoam Food Trays

Styrofoam Out of Schools

Are you enjoying the cold weather?

If you live in Minnesota, it is soooooooo cold right now.  The other day when we got in the car to go to school my son said, “Look it is -11 outside!”  He thought it was quite an accomplishment, I was hoping the thermometer was wrong.

I realize I live in Minnesota.  I should be used to this type of weather.  However when you have kids, this weather is just a little too cold.  They do not get to go outside for recess when it is below zero.  We cannot go play in the snow because any of their delicate skin that is exposed will freeze too quickly.

So what can we do to make the most out of the cold weather?  Cold weather science experiments!

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