Chocolate Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 28, 2007

History
Long before the Hershey's bar and even before Columbus discovered the New World; the people of Mesoamerica enjoyed the cacao bean. Read more about it here:
http://www.helium.com/tm/186438/before-hersheys-before-columbus
Discussion Questions:
1. Where did the history of chocolate start?

2. __________ were the first to eat chocolate.

3. The sweet pulp of the cacao plant tasted like ___________ or melons.

4. The ___________ used the cacao bean as currency.

Explore

Learn how chocolate is made:
http://www.hersheys.com/discover/chocolate.asp

Geography
Take the Hershey’s Challenge: http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/2007/02/hersheys-challenge.html
Journal

Imagine that you have just been named marketing directors for the Hershey Chocolate Company. The company has a new chocolate bar coming out, and you must decide how to make it, how it should be packaged, and what it should cost consumers.
Create a poem about chocolate. Be creative!! Write your poem inside this candy shape: http://www.abcteach.com/free/c/chocolatekiss2_m.pdf

Health
Compare two different candy wrappers. One of them needs to be a chocolate wrapper. Write down the serving size, calories, total fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, and protein for each wrapper. Compare your two wrappers and tell why one is better than the other.
Science
Try this chocolate lab:
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceExMeltingChocolateMO68.htm

Math Challenge
Don’t forget to take the math challenge to win prizes!
http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/2007/02/math-challenge-feb-28.html

Feel free to forward this lesson plan!
Free Homeschool Lesson Plans

http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com/ (k-3)

http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/( 4-8)

Math Challenge Feb 28

The Oompa Loompas are floating down the chocolate river. It is filled
with 72 gallons of liquid chocolate. How many cups is this?

Email the answer to kellys3ps@sbcglobal.net

Hershey's Challenge

1. Where is the Hershey’s corporation located (City, State)?
2. What is the capital of this state?
3. What is the Longitude and Latitude of the answer to #1?
4. What hemisphere is it located in?

Polar Bear Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 26, 2007
Today is Polar Bear Day!

Read about how the Polar Bears live at the San Diego Zoo.

http://www.helium.com/tm/184434/diego-founded-animals-housed

Discussion Questions:
1. Compare early zoos, which housed animals in cages, with modern zoos. Which do you think are cheaper in the short run?
2. Over a longer term?
3.Which provide a better view of the animals for visitors?
4. Which are better for the health and happiness of the animals?


Check out the Polar Bears of Polar Plunge in action http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/ex_polar_bear_plunge.html

Journal

DESIGN YOUR LAIR

Everyone needs their space -- the stuff in that space makes them feel comfortable and at home. Think about what it would be like to have to live in one room for the rest of your life. You can't leave it and all of the resources needed to keep you alive must be brought in. What kind of "space" and "stuff" would you need in the room, your habitat, to allow you to live in comfort?

Science

POLAR BEAR ADAPTATIONS

When designing habitats for new zoos, it's important to pay attention to the physical adaptations that make an animal successful in its natural environment. The polar bear has several adaptations that make it an incredible hunter able to withstand the intense cold in the Polar Regions. These adaptations include a thick layer of fur, about 11 cm of blubber, paws that help it paddle, and keen senses of smell and vision. These bears are exceptionally strong swimmers.

Another of the polar bear's adaptations for living in extreme cold is the black mottled skin underneath its fur. Scientists think the fur - which is actually transparent, although it looks white - acts like optical fibers that concentrate solar energy down to the black skin to help warm the bear.

Investigate how polar bears keep warm in their natural habitat in this science lab:

http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/2007/02/polar-bear-science-lab.html


Polar bears are in danger. Learn why.

http://www.helium.com/tm/184518/polar-trouble-polar-bears



Don’t Forget the Math Challenge!
http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/2007/02/math-challenge-february-27th.html

For more Free Homeschool Lesson Plans

http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com/ (k-3)

http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/( 4-8)

Math Challenge February 27th

Four polar bears went skiing. They decided to have a race to see who the fastest skier was. Pierre came in 5 seconds after Julien. Andre came in 5 seconds after Pierre. Mario came in 11 seconds before Andre. Julien finished in 20 seconds. Who won the race?
Bonus question:Who came last? (Worth an extra ticket)

Polar Bear Science Lab

OBJECTIVE

Investigate how polar bears keep warm in their natural habitat.

MATERIALS
black and white sheets of construction paper
3 thermometers
2 non-fluorescent lamps

PROCEDURES
1. Place a sheet of black paper and a sheet of white paper under a light source. Put a thermometer on each paper so that the light will shine directly and evenly onto each. The light source should be 12 to 20 cm away from the paper. Do not turn on the light yet.

2. Record the temperature for each thermometer (in celsius) in the appropriate column of the data table below. Use the third thermometer to record the ambient room temperature.

3.Turn on the light. Collect temperature data every 30 seconds for five minutes. Record the data in your table.

4. Once you have collected the data, graph your data with time on the horizontal axis and temperature on the vertical axis. Be sure to label your graph and include a key for the different conditions you were testing.




The New Zoos: Polar Bear Picnic


Polar bears at the San Diego Zoo spend their days frolicking in the water, following scent trails, playing with toys and generally having a great time -- all in the name of enrichment. Unlike the zoos of yesteryear, where animals spent a lot of time pacing in their cages, today's zookeepers try to make zoo life more like life in the wild. Keeping animals healthy and happy is the priority of zoos today, as they focus on long-term survival.

Curriculum Links
Related Frontiers Shows and Activities
More About the Polar Bear Plunge
Activity 1: Design Your Lair
Activity 2: Polar Bear Adaptions



CURRICULUM LINKS

ANATOMY/
PHYSIOLOGY


BIOLOGY

adaptions EARTH
SCIENCE

polar ecosystem LIFE
SCIENCE

mammals PHYSICAL
SCIENCE

thermal properties




RELATED FRONTIERS SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES


Science Safari (Show 702): Ways of the Wild

The Wild West (Show 601): Model Planet


MORE ABOUT THE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

The San Diego Zoo, founded in 1916 with 50 animals collected from menageries and kept in cage-like enclosures, has pioneered many innovations. The zoo's Polar Bear Plunge exhibit is a prime example of the revolutionary thinking in wildlife management. Designed to simulate an arctic summer, the Polar Bear Plunge holds 130,000 gallons of water cooled to 55 degrees F. It's stocked with fish and kept clean and cool. The bears also have grassy areas for napping, a sandbox for digging and a special salt-water pool. This habitat provides not only a space, but also an enriched environment tuned to the bear's physical and behavioral adaptations. This type of "natural" enclosure reduces anxiety for the bears and increases the value of the zoo experience for the public.



ACTIVITY 1: DESIGN YOUR LAIR

Everyone needs their space -- the stuff in that space makes them feel comfortable and at home. Think about what it would be like to have to live in one room for the rest of your life. You can't leave it and all of the resources needed to keep you alive must be brought in. What kind of "space" and "stuff" would you need in the room, your habitat, to allow you to live in comfort?

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the difference between what is essential to survive and what is desirable in an enriched environment.

MATERIALS
paper
ruler
colored pencils or markers
other art supplies, as needed
PROCEDURE
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. Write "essential" above the left column and "desirable" above the right column.


Under the "essential" column, list all of the things you need to stay alive. This list would include the absolute minimum items like food and water. In the "desirable" column, list all the items you would like to have to make your stay comfortable and to keep you from getting bored.


Compare your lists with those made by other students and discuss.


Draw a blueprint of your ideal habitat. Make sure your drawing incorporates as many items on your lists as possible. Label the key components and the dimensions of your room. You may prefer to design your habitat on a computer.


Display your ideal lair for others to view.
QUESTIONS
Did your "essential" list differ from any of your classmates' lists? How do you think your essential list would differ from one made by your parents?


What would be the difference in your quality of life between living in a room based on your essential needs versus your desirable needs?


How does this difference parallel the old and new zoos?


Compare early zoos, which housed animals in cages, with modern zoos. Which do you think are cheaper in the short run? Over a longer term? Which provide a better view of the animals for visitors? Which are better for the health and happiness of the animals?


Imagine your design is part of an intergalactic zoo where you are part of an exhibit. Would you vary your design knowing you would be "on exhibit"?


ACTIVITY 2: POLAR BEAR ADAPTATIONS

When designing habitats for new zoos, it's important to pay attention to the physical adaptations that make an animal successful in its natural environment. The polar bear has several adaptations that make it an incredible hunter able to withstand the intense cold in the polar regions. These adaptations include a thick layer of fur, about 11 cm of blubber, paws that help it paddle, and keen senses of smell and vision. These bears are exceptionally strong swimmers.

Another of the polar bear's adaptations for living in extreme cold is the black mottled skin underneath its fur. Scientists think the fur - which is actually transparent, although it looks white - acts like optical fibers that concentrate solar energy down to the black skin to help warm the bear.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate how polar bears keep warm in their natural habitat.

MATERIALS
black and white sheets of construction paper
3 thermometers
2 non-fluorescent lamps
PROCEDURE
Place a sheet of black paper and a sheet of white paper under a light source. Put a thermometer on each paper so that the light will shine directly and evenly onto each. The light source should be 12 to 20 cm away from the paper. Do not turn on the light yet.


Record the temperature for each thermometer (in celsius) in the appropriate column of the data table below. Use the third thermometer to record the ambient room temperature.


Turn on the light. Collect temperature data every 30 seconds for five minutes. Record the data in your table.


Once you have collected the data, graph your data with time on the horizontal axis and temperature on the vertical axis. Be sure to label your graph and include a key for the different conditions you were testing.
TEMPERATURE DATA TABLE TIME AIR BLACK
PAPER WHITE
PAPER
START
:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00


QUESTIONS
Did the temperature for the black paper rise faster than the white? Why or why not?


Why did you record the temperature in the room?


How does the bear's black skin help keep it warm?


Adaptations to keep warm are important in the bear's natural habitat, but may be detrimental to its health in warmer environments like San Diego. What accommodations in the zoo habitat have designers made to keep the bears from overheating?

Math Challenge Monday February 26, 2007

The Fabulous Fudge Emporium serves fudge made from an old secret recipe. Marvin is in charge of ordering the ingredients. He does not know what all of the ingredients are, but he knows that in 3 days they use 15 pounds of dark chocolate, 30 pounds of sugar, and 21 pounds of butter. When Marvin orders chocolate, sugar, and butter for 3 weeks, how many pounds of each ingredient does he order?

Send answer to kellys3ps@sbcglobal.net

Weekly winner wins a Smencil, Monthly winner wins a $20 gift certificate at Barnes and Noble. Good Luck!

Dental Health Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 26, 2007
February is National Dental Health Month!

For the Parents: Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood ailment. Here are some tips for keeping your child’s smile healthy! http://www.helium.com/tm/182340/tooth-decay-single-common

History

Legends have it that George Washington’s teeth were made of wood! Read more about it here: http://www.helium.com/tm/182419/there-stories-about-first


Using what you have read, answer the questions on this worksheet!

http://www.themeday.com/tooth_ss_worksheet.htm


Vocabulary
Use this worksheet to try learn some toothy vocabulary!
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/worksheetgenerator/archive/972332113.html

Journal
Using the formula for a well-written news article below, write accounts of how you lost one of your teeth (or make up an exciting way you would like to lose a tooth.)
Formula for a Well-Written News Article
1. First paragraph

In your first one or two sentences tell who, what, when, where, and why. Try to hook the reader by beginning with a funny, clever, or surprising statement. Go for variety: try beginning your article with a question or a provocative statement.

2. Second/Third/Fourth paragraphs

Give the reader the details. Include one or two quotes from people you interviewed. Write in the third person (he, she, it, they). Be objective -- never state your opinion. Use quotes to express others' opinions!

3. Last paragraph

Wrap it up somehow ( don't leave the reader hanging. Please don't say...."In conclusion" or "To finish..." (yawn!) Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase.
• Use active words (verbs that show what's really happening.)
• Take notes when you interview. Write down quotes!
• Tell the really interesting info first!


Science

Learn what each of your teeth is called. http://www.edhelper.com/teachers/teeth_Teeth.htm


Label these teeth http://www.edhelper.com/teachers/teeth_Teeth1.htm


Learn about what causes tooth decay with this fun lab. http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Body_Systems_and_Senses/BSS0007.html

Math

1. Children have 20 "baby teeth" which are later replaced by permanent teeth. What is the total cost to the Tooth Fairy for a child whose teeth have an average value of 75 cents each?

2. The Tooth Fairy has 10 quarters. If she gives 3 children 3 quarters, how many quarters will she have left?

3. John had 20 baby teeth; he has lost 2/3 of them. How many teeth has he lost?

4. The Tooth Fairy flew 500 miles in 5 hours. How far did she fly in 1 hour?

Pyramid Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
Special Pyramid Edition

The pyramids have fascinated people since they were first built. Read more about them here: http://www.helium.com/tm/179426/pyramids-egypt-fascinating-breathtaking
Discussion Questions:
1. Where were the pyramids built?
2. Why were they built?
3. What are the two theories about how the pyramids were constructed?

Take a tour of these majestic pyramids!
http://www.guardians.net/egypt/pyramids/tour_the_pyramids.htm

Pyramid word search
http://www.touregypt.net/kids/wordgame10.htm
Science
How did they do that? Learn how the Egyptians were able to build these mighty pyramids:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/egypt/class/they.html

Here’s a lab that demonstrates the process:
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/ASPIRE/12.html


Math

THE GREAT PYRAMID
The largest Egyptian pyramid is the Great Pyramid at Giza. It stands today about 450 ft. high, and it has a square base with sides about 755 ft. long. It is made up of two and a half million stone blocks, each having an average weight of about 2.5 tons.
1. Write a numeral for the number of stone blocks used to build the Great Pyramid.

2. On a building, a story is about 10 feet high. About how many stories high is the Great Pyramid?


3. Find the area of the base of the Great Pyramid. (A = l x w)




4. About how many 160 ft. by 360 ft. football fields does it take to cover the base of the Great Pyramid?




5. The Empire State Building weighs about 365,000 tons. Find the weight of the Great Pyramid in tons and compare it to the weight of the Empire State Building.



6. A compact car weighs about a ton. Five quarters weigh about an ounce. What can you think of that weighs about a pound? Why do you think so?



7. Choose an appropriate unit (ounce, pound, or ton) for the weight of each item.
a. pencil b. yacht c. large dog


d. bicycle e. tomato f. computer

Here is a math lesson on pyramids:
http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/pyramids.html



Build a model of the Great Pyramid, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/geometry/model.html
You will need to use your math skills to scale the pyramid down - you will need to make the pyramid 3,000 times smaller than it really is!

Journal
Pretend you are an ancient Egyptian, part of a pyramid work crew. Write a story describing the building of a pyramid.

20 Questions to Get Kids To Think

1. Why?
2. If that is true, what might follow?
3. How do you know that?
4. What is your point?
5. What is the reason for saying that?
6. Is it possible that...?
7. Are there other ways of...?
8. What are other ways we could view this?
9. Can you briefly summarize what you just read?
10. What/Who was important in the story? Why?
11. Explain your answer.
12. Can you state examples and explain why they are important?
13. Do you agree? Why? Why not?
14. How did you arrive at your answer or solution?
15. What are your "thinking" steps?
16. What facts support your view?
17. Can you think of other facts not given?
18. Can you apply these ideas to other situations or information?
19. Can you add information to the subject? Explain
20. Contrast the information with what you already know.

Heart Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 23, 2007

February is National Heart Month, and today we will learn all about this amazing organ!
To put it simply, your heart is a pump that moves liquid from one place to another. In the process, your blood supplies oxygen to your entire body. Learn more about the heart here: http://www.helium.com/tm/177121/moment-begins-beating-until


Discussion Questions:
1. About how big is your heart?
2. In an average lifetime, how many times does the heart beat?
3. How many cavities are inside the heart?
4. What is the largest vessel called?
Science
Learn more about the heart with this interactive website:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/activities/circulatory.html

Try this science experiment to learn how to take better care of your heart:
http://www.mediaworkshop.org/armory/health_nutrition/heart.html

Heart Worksheet
http://www.childrenheartinstitute.org/kidsonly/heartflw.htm


Math
1. Using the resting heart rate you found during the science project, how many times does your heart beat in one day?
2. Using your rate, estimate how long it would take for your heart to beat a billion times.
3. Estimate the number of times your heart has beaten.
4. The American Heart Association has a value called average maximum heart rate. Find this value by taking 220 and subtracting your age. What is your average maximum heart rate?
5. When you exercise, you should try to have your heart rate in the target heart rate zone. This zone is between 50% and 75% of your average maximum heart rate. What is your target heart rate zone?

Journal
It is important to keep your heart healthy. Write a list of 10 things you can do to keep your heart healthy.

George Washington Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 22, 2007

History
On this day in 1732, George Washington, our first president was born. Interestingly enough, George Washington was home schooled! Read more about George Washington here: http://www.helium.com/tm/175420/george-washington-first-president


Discussion Questions:
1. Who was the first President of the United States?
2. How did George Washington receive his education?
3. When did the Continental army have their first victory?


Journal
"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."
- George Washington

What kind of qualities do you look for in a friend? What kind of person would not be your friend, and why? Write a few sentences in your journal explaining your reasons.

Current Events
George Washington was the first leader of the United States, but there are lots of different types of leaders. Can you name:
- Leader of the town or city in which you live

- Leader of the fire department of the town or city

- Leader of the police department of the town or city

- Leader of the largest store or major business in the town or city

- Leader of the local newspaper

- Leader of the state

- Leader of the country

- Leader of another country


Geography/Math
George Washington Teaches Map Directions. If students follow "directions," they'll have a picture of George Washington. Use this activity to learn/reinforce cardinal direction points (north, east, south, west) and ordinal direction points (northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest).
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/dailylp/dailylp/dailylp056.shtml

You may need graph paper
http://incompetech.com/beta/linedGraphPaper/graph.pdf

Art/Math
George Washington was the subject of a very famous painting George Washington Crossing the Delaware. You can see the painting here: http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/gw/el_gw.htm

Discussion Questions:
1. What is composition?
2. Who was the painter?
3. The painting is 12 feet high and 21 feet long. What is the perimeter? (hint: the sum of all 4 sides)
4. The painting is 12 feet high and 21 feet long. What is the area? (hint: Length X Width)




Reading Fun
Even presidents have their secrets! Check out this website to answer presidential secrets.
http://pbskids.org/wayback/prez/secrets/index.html
Presidential secrets worksheet http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/dailylp/dailylp/pdfs/dailylp053.pdf

Pet Care Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 21, 2007

History
Today is Love your pet day. Read the following article about pet care:
http://www.helium.com/tm/174143/sharing-bring-years-enjoyment
Discussion Questions:
1. You should be able to care for your pet for their _________.
2. Your pet should wear a ________ with an ___________ tag on your pet that includes a clearly written name, ____________and ________________.
3. Spend time with your pet each day ____________, and giving love and __________.

Journal
What does Responsibility mean to you?
What are THREE ways you can show your parents you are being responsible?
Do you have a pet? Write an autobiography of your pet (or make one up if you don't have a pet; there will be a lot of pretending in this exercise). Your animal must speak for itself, so use "I" instead of "he" or "she". Tell one of the best adventures your animal decides to embark upon.
Reading

Read "Dr. Dog's Rx for Sick Kids" http://www.bestfriends.org/atthesanctuary/humaneeducation/crdrdog.html
about a Sheltie named Alar who visits a hospital and helps sick children. After you have read the story, brainstorm different ways in which animals can help people. Use this worksheet to brainstorm http://www.eslflow.com/Visio-brainstorm_worksheet_cluster_diagram.pdf.



Why are therapy dogs like Alar successful at helping people? What characteristics does Alar have that help him relate to people in a hospital?
Read "Dr. Dog's Rx for Sick Kids" http://www.bestfriends.org/atthesanctuary/humaneeducation/crdrdog.html
about a Sheltie named Alar who visits a hospital and helps sick children. After you have read the story, brainstorm different ways in which animals can help people.

Why are therapy dogs like Alar successful at helping people? What characteristics does Alar have that help him relate to people in a hospital?
Reference Skills
Print out the following questions and take them to the library to practice your reference skills. You can also search on-line!
1. Find a book about your favorite animal. Write down the title, author, and call number.

2. Find a book about caring for pets. Write down the title, author, and call number. Look in the table of contents. Pick one pet and write down one fact about caring for it.

3. Find a book about training dogs. Write down the title, author and call number. List five things dogs can be trained to do to help them be better pets.

4. How many non-fiction books does your library have about cats? Find one book about caring for cats. List three things a cat needs to be healthy and happy.

5. Use the encyclopedia. Look up the entry for "Horse." Find four parts of a horse, and write them down on your paper.

6. Find a book about pet birds. Write down the title, author, and call number. List three birds that are kept as pets.

7. List as many "working with animals" careers as you can find. Find a book about one of them. Write down the title, author, and call number.

8. Find a book of poems. Copy a short poem about animals, including the author's name.

9. Find a book of Native American stories about animals. Write down the name of the book, author, and call number. Write down the names of three animals that are mentioned in the book.

10. List the magazines about animals that are in your library. Read an interesting magazine article about animals, and in your own words, write a paragraph that describes what the article was about. Write down the name of the magazine, issue and date, and the title of the article.

Math
How much does a pet cost? Use this worksheet to figure it out http://www.bestfriends.org/atthesanctuary/humaneeducation/crmoney1.html

Astronaut Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 20, 2007

History
On this day in 1962 John Glenn orbited the Earth in the Friendship 7 Space Capsule. He was the first man to orbit the Earth. Read more about John Glenn here:

http://www.helium.com/tm/171943/glenn-pilot-world-korean

Discussion Questions:
1. What wars did John Glenn serve as a pilot in?

2. John Glenn was senator of what state?

3. John Glenn was the oldest astronaut at what age?


Journal
Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut? Check out astronaut school http://edspace.nasa.gov/astroschool/ and see if you do.
John Glenn was the oldest astronaut. Pretend you have been recruited to be the youngest astronaut and write about what a trip to outer space might be like.

Reading
What Happens on a Shuttle Mission? Read here to found out! http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/columbia2003/whathappensshuttlemission1.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. Name 2 experiments conducted in space.
2. Student’s suggest some of these experiments. True or False ?
3. Where do astronauts sleep?

Math

Astronauts require a great deal of training before they can travel into space. Not only do they learn to maneuver aircraft, but they also learn a great deal about weightlessness and other subjects related to space and space travel. Practice your math skills here:

1. Three astronauts are traveling to the moon. The trip takes 4 days. Each astronaut wants 1 freeze-dried pear each day. How many pears do they need to pack? ____________


2. Upon landing an astronaut looked out each of the four windows. Out of each she saw 5 craters. How many craters did she see? ____________


3. Suppose she saw a total of 8 craters, the same number from each window. How many did she see out of each window? ____________


4. An astronaut is conducting an experiment with 6 plants, which he wants to divide equally among 3 sections of the spacecraft. How many plants are in each section? ____________


5. Each plant had 3 flowers. How many flowers were there in all? ____________

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Copernicus Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
February 19, 2007

History
On this day in 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish astronomer who proved the sun is the center of our solar system, was born. Read more about him here: http://www.helium.com/tm/169079/nicolaus-copernicus-polish-astronomer

Discussion Questions:
1. What year was Nicolaus Copernicus born?
2. Where was he from?
3. Before his time what kind of model of the solar system did people believe in?

Vocabulary

Heliocentric – the theory that all planets revolve around the sun.

Milky Way Galaxy – the name of our solar system.

Astronomer – a scientist who studies the matter of outer space.

Art

Model of a Solar System
Make your very own model of a solar system. http://www.umary.edu/portfolio/edu/Practicum%20Student%20Web%20Pages%20F05/Sister%20Johanna/Danielle,%20Pam,%20&%20Sister%20Joanna/Lesson%20Plan.htm


Science/Journal
THE SUN AND THE EARTH

The relationship between the Earth and the sun affects observable phenomena on Earth, such as the seasons.

1. Describe the differences between winter, spring, summer, and fall.
2. Do you know why these seasons occur? What happens to the Earth to make the seasons change? Write your ideas in your journal.

Go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/07/season.html
to find out why the seasons occur.

Draw two diagrams showing the relationship between the Earth and the sun—one during the winter and one during the summer in your hometown.
Play this game to see how much you have learned about the four seasons.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/07/popup/cosmic.html


Geography
Use the map here http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/world_cont.pdf and place a small x in the location of your hometown.
Draw additional x's next to the following places on the Earth in your diagrams: Santiago, Chile; Belem, Brazil (at the mouth of the Amazon); and Fairbanks, Alaska. You can use http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/ to help locate these places.
What do you think the weather is like in these places right now?

Use http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/ to find out what the weather is really like in these places right now. Record the current temperatures in each of these places and in your own hometown.
Math
1. What is the difference in temperature between your hometown and Fairbanks, Alaska?
2. What is the difference in temperature between Belem Brazil and Fairbanks, Alaska?

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Chinese New Year Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & NewsletterFebruary 18, 2007
I know it’s Sunday – but Chinese New Year is too good to pass up!

History
Different groups of people celebrate different holidays. While Americans celebrate the New Year's holiday on Jan 1, the Chinese New Year begins today. Read more about it here: http://www.helium.com/tm/169550

Discussion Questions:
Chinese years are grouped into sets of _____.
What animal represents 2007?
What does the color red represent?
What does the color gold represent?
What traditional gift is given to celebrate the Chinese New Year?

Journal
Chinese people believe that the characteristics of people are like those of the animal of the year they were born. Look at this link for animal characteristics. http://www.developingteachers.com/newsletterplans/feb4_2002.htm (Scroll down passed the fortune cookie info – although this is great info as well!)
Find out what animal represented the year you were born, and the animals that represent the years the members of your family were born.

Do you think the characteristics of the animal accurately represents the people born in that year?

Art
Try your hand at making a Chinese Paper Lantern at this site. You can also make your own New Year’s Banner with Chinese writing!

http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/china__dim_sum__spring_fes.html

King Tut Lesson Plan

History
On this day in 1923, King Tut’s burial chamber was opened. Read more about King Tut’s tomb:

http://www.helium.com/tm/163702/tutankhamun-became-years-years


Discussion Questions:
1. Who discovered King Tut’s tomb?
2. What year did King Tut die?
3. How old was King Tut when he became king?

Take a Look
Take a look at the inside of King Tut’s tomb
http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/bishopegyptkingtut.htm

Art

Decorating the tombThe ancient Egyptians would decorate the walls of the tomb and burial camber with hieroglyphics (signs used to write the language of the ancient Egyptians) The hieroglyphics that the Egyptians used were often prayers, spells, and stories that were carved into the walls of a royal burial chamber.
These could help the king overcome death and join the gods who dwelt in the sky, with the stars, or with Osiris (the Egyptian God of Death), in the Underworld.
Some of these pictures were thought to be so powerful that the images of dangerous animals, for example the horned viper that represented the sound "f", were cut in two so that they could not magically come alive and harm the king.
Here is the hieroglyphic alphabet and some other symbols to help you see what they looked like. http://www.idahoptv.org/ntti/nttilessons/lessons2002/mortimer1.htm
Now, make your own version of King Tut’s tomb. You can decorate your tomb and the walls of the chamber with hieroglyphics. You can make up your own or use the ones that the Egyptians used.
Math

1. If King Tut died in 1323 BC , and his tomb was discovered in 1922, how many years did his tomb go undisturbed?
2. Mummy’s were wrapped from head to foot in layer after layer of linen strips. About 150 yards -- the length of one and a half football fields -- were used. If there are 3 feet in each yard, how many feet of linen strips were used?
Science
Make your own mummy! Try this fun science experiment.
http://www.tryscience.org/experiments/experiments_mummy_athome.html

Journal
1. What would life be like with out written communication? How would we function? Are there any types of communication today that use symbols?
2. King Tut became king when he was only 9 years old! Could you imagine being king as a kid? Write a story about your life as King in ancient Egypt. If you want you can use hieroglyphic pictures in your story.
Geography
Attention Junior Cartographers! (That’s a map maker!) Help complete this map of Egypt: http://www.seaworld.org/fun-zone/fun-guides/egypt/secrets-of-the-nile.htm

Susan B. Anthony Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & NewsletterFebruary 15, 2007

History
On this day in 1820, Susan B. Anthony was born. Read a little more about her.
http://www.helium.com/tm/163654/susan-anthony-february-commemorative

Discussion Questions:

What year was Susan B. Anthony born?
How many children were in Susan’s family?
Who was Elizabeth Cady Stanton?
What amendment gave women the right to vote?
What year was it passed?
Timeline Practice:
Using the timeline worksheet here http://content.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/l/lessonplans_graphicorg_pdfs_timeline.pdf
Place the following items in order
Chronological list for time lines (other information may be included)
1820 Susan B. Anthony was born.
1851 Susan B. Anthony met Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and joined women's suffrage movement.
1869 Fifteenth Amendment was passed, NWSA was formed.
1872 Susan B. Anthony voted in presidential election and was arrested.
1892 Susan B. Anthony became president of NAWSA.
1906 Susan B. Anthony died at age 86.
1929 Nineteenth Amendment was passed, giving women right to vote
Vocabulary
Define the following words:
Minted
Suffrage

Editing Practice
Correct the passage below. The source for this edit and the answer are listed below. Don’t let your child see the link until they have attempted the exercise.

Born on February 15, 1820, Susan B. Anthony learnt early in life about the value of justice. A teacher four many years, she become active in a movement that encouraged people not to drink liquor. Since Susan was a women, however, she was'nt allowed to speak at that movements rallys. So she found other causes. She traveled the country as a speaker against slavery and for womens rights Did you no that she was once arrested for voting.
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/edit/edit0214.shtml#answer

Journaling
Write a tribute or a letter to Susan B. Anthony thanking her for her work to give women the right to vote. You may do additional research if you wish.
Math
The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a United States coin minted between 1979 and 1981, and again in 1999.
Change for a Dollar Would you believe there are 294 ways to make change for a dollar? How many combinations can you find? Using 2 half-dollars, 4 quarters, 10 dimes, 20 nickels, and 100 pennies see how many combinations you can find in 3 minutes. What strategies did you use? What patterns did you see developing?