What you’ll need: The chart provided below, printed out, or paper and pencil, a calculator, a website, book, or another source of spring flower names
What to do: Choose 5-10 of your favorite spring flowers (common or scientific names) and figure out the number value for each word.
If you need a little help with Spring flower names, Names of Flowers can help you out, but feel free to look for names on your own via other websites, books, and any other resources you want to use. If you did the Wildflower Project, many of those flower names can be used.
Begin by writing down your flower choices. If you use lined paper, rather than the chart provided below, you will need 3 line: One for letters, one for their number value, and one to leave blank so letters and numbers do not get mixed up together.
Next, either print out the chart provided, or make your own letter to number values.
Often times, A=1, B=2, C=3 is used, but you can use A=26, B=25, C=24, or you can use any values you want.
Write the name of the flower you want to figure out the value of, then write a number value under each letter. Write the total value on the value line.
When you are done, compare the name values.
Which one has the highest and lowest value?
Does the longest word have the highest value?
Does the shortest word have the lowest value?
Do any have the same value?
Example:
Copy and save the Flower Values graphic below and print it out if you want.
As the weather warms up, and nature starts to awaken from its slumber, the beauty of the season begins to burst free. Much of that beauty is reoccurring in the form of wildflowers that can be found on the roadside or in private and public gardens. If you enjoy the colors and smells of Spring, you may find these activity suggestions inspiring enough to grow something on your own.
#1 As wildflowers bloom on the roadside, in your yard, in public gardens, or in your neighborhood, take pictures, and then spend some time learning how to identifying them.
#2 Collect different types of wildflowers when possible, make a flower press, or learn how to preserve them. Think of some ways you can use the flowers: Cards, pictures, scrapbook pages, writing/drawing journal, wildflower identification cards, nature journal, poems, display them in a vase, etc.
#3 Grow your own wildflowers in an selected area, as a garden, or in a planter. By growing your own, you can keep track of what you have planted. Collect seeds at the end of their growing cycle and save them for the next growing season. Label them clearly so you know what you are growing.
#4 Take some time to sit and enjoy wildflowers. Observe the insects and other creatures that come to visit. Take pictures/videos, draw or write about them. What do they do? How long do they stay?
#5 As you learn about the wildflowers you identify, find out how they can be used. Which ones are edible and/or medicinal? Learn about the rules of collecting them in order to ingest them.
For example: You will not want to collect wildflowers on a roadside that has been sprayed with chemicals, or has a lot of car traffic, because they are not edible or usable medicinally. Also, some wildflowers need to be collected carefully and boiled to be enjoyed.
Most public gardens will ask you not to pick or cut flowers.
Tip: Grow your own wildflowers in areas away from the roadside if you would like to ingest them.
If your tree has leaves, or needles, observe how its structure looks and consider how it formed, to the best of your ability. Observe new growth when possible.
Watch as your tree bursts to life with flowers, seeds, and/or leaves. Notice if the flowers have a smell, what the pollen looks like, how the seeds or fruit form and disperse. Notice how the leaves form and grow. Take a fully matured leaf and make a stamp print of it, draw it, or take a picture of it. Back and front.
Observe parts of your tree through a microscope.
Use a small microscope or a magnifying glass to get a closer look at your tree.
Where is your tree located?
Is it close to your house? It is in the shade or full sun?
It is in a neighbor’s yard?
In a park?
What Can You Look For?
Does your tree have buds on it?
Are bugs crawling on it?
Does it have a nest?
What birds visit your tree?
Do other animals live in it or hang out in it? If so, who comes to visit?
How does the weather effect your tree?
What does your tree look like with ice/snow?
What happens when it rains?
What happens when it is windy?
What does it look like on a clear, sunny day?
The more you observe your tree, the more you will learn. As your tree changes with the spring season, notice how it blooms and grows.
Exploratorium: Chocolate – Discover…..The sweet science of chocolate. This is an excellent place to begin your study of chocolate!
Science Museum of Minnesota: Where are cacao trees grown? Find out here. Field Museum: Chocolate – Just for Kids: History, activities, process of making and much more. Cornell University:Chocolate: Food of the Gods. There is a lot of information about chocolate on this site. Includes the history of the product, how it grows, health information and much more. Washington Edu: Discovering the Sweet Mysteries of Chocolate – Brief history and the science of chocolate for kids.
The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club: Chocolate History Timeline – Chocolate History Timeline from 2000 B.C. to 1938 WW II. Hershey: Our-Story – Discover Hershey: There’s more to Hershey then meets the eye. Find out who Milton Hershey was, and how chocolate is made.
Cadbury: Discovering Chocolate – The Great Chocolate Discovery – This article discusses how chocolate was discovered, how ancient Mayans and Aztecs used it, and its introduction into Spain and Europe.
Chocolate.org: Chocolate and the Aztecs – History of chocolate, the Aztecs, and the Spanish: Introducing Cacao, Meet the Aztecs, The Aztecs Were Followers, and Chocolate Lives On.
ICCO: International Cocoa Organization: The Chocolate Industry – Who are the main manufacturers of chocolate in the world?
FranW.com – Chocolate Activities – I offer more chocolate related posts, including resources and recipes such as a chocolate egg cream, chocolate covered pretzels, lip balm, bubble bath and a hot cocoa base here. Homeschool Share: Chocolate Unit Study – Free unit study.
Homefires: Chocolate Curriculum – This curriculum was designed for groups or individuals. I wrote it, I hope you enjoy it!
YouTube: Chocolate Playlist– How chocolate is grown and made, chocolate art, hot chocolate recipes, chocolate modeling clay recipe and how to, factory tours, how luxury chocolates are made, and other interesting chocolate related videos. Here’s one of the videos in the list…
You can help keep this resource updated by reporting broken links to me in the comments area. I’ll get them fixed asap. If you have a chocolate related link to share, please add that to comments and I’ll add it asap as well. Thank you for your help! Connect with FranW.com
To purchase this ebook filled with 120+ great ideas that companion the days listed below, for $5, please use the following link:
Etsy: September Special Day Activity Calendar The following links will take you to a post on Funschooling and Recreational (FranW.com) Learning, Still Learning Something New, or to another site. Each is noted.
Cut out 3 large circles from poster board or construction paper, each an inch or two smaller than the other; make the largest brown (crust), the next red (sauce), and the smallest white (cheese). Glue them together.
Cut out pizza toppings from a magazine or store flyer, put removable glue on the back of each piece and store them on waxed paper until you are ready to use them.
How to Play
Have the player remove a topping from the waxed paper and put on a blindfold. Spin them around a few times and head them in the direction of the pizza. Have them stick the topping to the pizza.
Tip: Play this game while waiting for pita pizzas to cook up or for the delivery person.
Note: If this, or any other post on FranW.com, has inspired you in a positive way, or you have featured it in a blog post, please comment and link back to where it can be found! Thank you!
Have some fun with the sun by doing solar experiments!
You Will Need A hot sunny day, dark colored construction paper, various objects that won’t melt: A key, leaf, pencil, scissors, etc., crayons, cookie sheet, potholder, aluminum foil, a glass jar, tea bag, old crayons, inexpensive XX-large garbage bags, rubber bands, scissors, 25+’ string, and a wide open space
Make Solar Prints
Choose a flat, sunny location, put a piece of dark construction paper on in, then place variety of objects that won’t melt on top of the paper (key, leaves, shells, pencil, etc.) and leave it in the sun for 30 minutes or so. Compare the areas that were exposed to the sun to the covered areas.
If it is windy, place a small rock on top of lighter objects.
Make Sun Tea
Fill a clean jar with water, add a tea bag, cover, and place it in the sun for an hour. The jar may be very hot so have a potholder handy to take off the lid. Remove the tea bag, stir in some sugar, add fruit and ice to the jar if desired, and enjoy.
Refresh Old Crayons
Refresh old crayons by turning broken ones into a whole new mixed up version. You will need some old crayons (paper removed), aluminum foil, a cookie sheet, and a potholder to do this. Cookie cutters can be used to make cool shapes, otherwise you can carefully shape aluminum foil. Put your shapes on a cookie sheet, cover the bottom of the aluminum foil with crayon pieces, and leave it in direct sunlight for 30 minutes or so. Check on their progress from time to time. If the crayons do not melt well, cover the top with plastic wrap. Once the crayons have melted, allow them to cool for a bit, then grab some paper and see how they work.
Make A Solar Balloon
This experiment works best in a wide open space such as an open field, park or large backyard. Open up an XX-Large bag such as a leaf bag or something bigger, fill it with air, and close it with a rubber band. Tie a really long string around the rubber band, leave it in the sun and watch what happens. Watch the following video for another way to make a solar balloon.
Have you ever wondered where French fries got their start or how they are made for commercial use? Keep reading to find out!
French fries have been around for centuries, and while no one is exactly sure who invented them first, we do know that they originated in either Belgium or France. There’s an interesting history in the argument about who fried the potato first, and if you’re interested in learning more about it, you’ll find some information below.
What can you do with French fries other than eat them?
Experiment with them!
Experiment #1: How Long Does A French Fry Take To Decay?
You will need: Any French fry & A plate
Directions: Make French fries or purchase them from a restaurant. Then place a few on a plate and observe them each day until they decay. Try comparing a commercial fry to a homemade one.
Experiment #2: French Fry Taste Test:
What Type Of Potatoes Make The Best French Fries?
You will need: A variety of fresh potatoes, washed and dried, a cutting board, a sharp knife, olive or vegetable oil, salt, pepper and your favorite herbs and spices.
Oven proof pans, fryer, or skillet, and paper towels
Directions: Cut your potatoes into even strips. Then place them in separate bowls and toss them with a little oil to prevent them from browning while you cut the other potatoes. Cook your potatoes using your favorite cooking method: Baked, deep fried or pan fried.
If you decide to bake them, put some oil on the pan and season it before adding them to the oven, otherwise, season your fries as soon as you get them out of the oil and onto the paper towels.
Taste each potato type and choose which potato makes the best French fry in your opinion. Try different cooking methods too.
If you need them, some cooking methods with instructions can be found in the video selection.
How do you like to eat your French Fries?
Start a French fry cookbook and fill it with pictures of your favorite recipes and ways to eat them. Maybe your favorites ways to enjoy them include…
Topping them with chili and cheese. Drizzling them with gravy. Sprinkling them with your favorite herbs and spices.
Served with ketchup, mustard, mayo or vinegar.
Suggestions…
Find answers to any of the questions or things you want to know about French fries.
Find out what French fries are called in other countries.
Find out some of the fun ways French fried potatoes are served.
Ben Franklin – Historical information about Ben Franklin. Read or listen to his autobiography as well.
Nikola Tesla – Information about Tesla’s life and accomplishments. Links and videos.
Geometric Designs – Geometric Designs made from simple shapes. Tutorials, videos, and free downloads.
Fractals – Fractals in nature and design. Links and videos.
Ancient Greece – Contributions, Mythology, History and more. Links and videos.
Seasonal Foods
Apples Research Project – Facts, leading questions, information, videos, recipes, and links to other resources. Oranges – General and nutritional information, diseases, educational resources, ideas for orange peels and videos.
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