Making Homeschooling Hands-On, Engaging, Meaningful & Memorable! Be inspired by all the possibilities!! Check out our unit studies, packets and printables!
We had such a great homeschooling day on Monday. I was skeptical we’d get into the groove since we had just had my niece and nephew with us for four days. I brought in some spooky schooling, though and we had a terrific day!
I went out and bought some dry ice and we did a number of experiments. You can see suggestions from Steve Spangler science and a couple of you-tube videos here and Scientific Tuesdays.
First I dropped dry ice into the spooky skull cup Daddy bought for the kids. Then we did the one with dish soap (left) that created lots of bubbles.
We placed a coin on a block of dry ice and watched it move back and forth as the coin warmed up the ice and made pockets of carbon dioxide move past. Then we left the coin and went on to other things–only to notice later all the ice crystals that had formed on the coin.
We added warm water to a plastic water bottle and then added chips of dry ice. Then we put a big punching balloon on it and watched it inflate. The kids were intrigued by how much carbon dioxide was released. We also had a terrific talk about the different weights of gases, hauled out the periodic table and looked at where hydrogen and helium appear on the table.
We used a bubble solution to create these massive bubbles in a pot. The kids liked that!
From there we went on to some writing activities. I have a reluctant writer, but LD absolutely LOVED this Monster creative writing packet!! So believe it or not, LD and DD spent an our and a half writing and drawing! First they wrote descriptive words about a monster. Then drew its picture. Then they went on to brainstorm some questions (a monster’s name, place, etc.) and wrote a poem with alliteration. Finally they did more brainstorming before writing a story.
I absolutely LOVE the writing packet! How did you find such a great idea??? I have a little boy here who is in 1st grade and I think that would be perfect for next year! Thank you for sharing.
I absolutely LOVE the writing packet! How did you find such a great idea??? I have a little boy here who is in 1st grade and I think that would be perfect for next year! Thank you for sharing.
Hands-On Activities, Packets, Encouragement, and More!
Search Within Our Blog – Or scroll down to view the units we’ve covered!!
Hi! I’m Liesl!
Do you believe education can be exciting, inspiring, and full of joy? We do too!
I love the quote by William Butler Yeats, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." It's about getting the kids involved, engaged, and fired up about learning (while juggling the rest of life too!)
A bit about me: I have my Master's from Brown University. I have more than 20 years of teaching experience. I was a high school teacher for many years both in the U.S. and internationally and also taught for the University of Maryland before leaving to homeschool my 3 wonderful kids.
To read more about us CLICK HERE.
Homeschool Den STORE
Click on the image to find out more about the units and packets we have available.
Homeschool Teaching Strategies
Testimonials Page
how do I start homeschooling
This post has links to dozens of posts and resources both for new and veteran homeschoolers for everything from finding homeschool curriculum to general homeschool advice and encouragement.
History Units
Click on the image above to see the History Units we covered in our homeschool.
Science Units and Packets
What science topics could I teach my 5-7 year old - Homeschool Science Curriculum
Science Units
Click on the image above to see the Science Units we covered in our homeschool from elementary through middle school (and beyond!).
Below is just a small sample of the packets and resources we have available on our blog.
Earth Science Bundle
Click the image to check out our packets on Earth Science, Rocks and Minerals, the Atmosphere, Weather, Energy and More!
Units are also sold separately.
Earth Science Packet
This is one of our most popular units. It covers the Layers of the Earth, Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Volcanoes and More! It is included in the Earth Science Bundle (see the picture/link above).
Biology BUNDLE
Click the image to see our Biology Units on Animal and Plant Cells; the Biology Unit on Biomes, Food Chains, Symbiosis; Scientific Classification & Taxonomy (Domain/Kingdom/Phylum/Class, etc.); Botany - Plant Kingdom and Oceans and Oceanography.
Big Animal Bundle
Click on the image to see our Animal Bundle - including the Animal Unit, Life Cycles, the Rainforest, Winter (Polar Animals) & Hibernation, Chameleons, Wolves, Cicadas and more!
Human Body Systems Bundle
The Human Body Systems, Skeletal, Digestive, Circulatory, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine Systems and More (with lots of hands-on activity ideas)! We usually study a different body system each year.
Digestive System Packet and Activities (100+ pages)
Chemistry Bundle
Click on the image to see our units on the States of matter, Properties of Matter, Electricity & Circuits, and the Chemistry Unit (Get to know the Periodic Table in a fun way!)
Free Science Checklist – Elementary and Middle School
This is a free checklist I put together of the various science units I hope to cover in the elementary and middle school years.
Civics & Government Unit
American Revolution Packet
World Facts Packet
Do your kids know the 4 largest countries? Which countries have the most people? The longest river? This packet covers basic world and U.S. facts and also covers geographic features and land forms.
Geographic Features & Landforms (also in the World Facts Packet)
Ancient Egypt Packet
Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses
Middle Ages – Feudalism Packet
Slavery and the Civil War Packet
World War I Unit
Click on the image to check out our 100-page unit on World War I.
World War II Unit
Long A Sound Activities
ow-ou-oy-oi-aw-au Word Sort Activities
The spelling program we use:
We have used AAS for 6 years! AAS is an affiliate link.
Dozens of posts about how to create a homeschool writing workshop.
Montessori Addition Sheets with Regrouping (Free)
Dragon Math Packet
Click on the image to check out all of our fun K-2 Math Packets.
Multiplication Packets
This is one of the best values we have... more than 20 PDFs with games, activities and worksheets to learn/practice the multiplication facts ($7.00).
Homeschool Resources
Click on the image to discover some of the pages, posts and homeschool resources within our blog that might be the most useful for you including a long list of our freebies!
Rocks and Minerals Unit
Click on the image to check out our 100+page Rocks and Minerals Unit.
Simple Machines Unit
This is a fun, hands-on unit for early elementary students!
Human Body Systems Worksheet Packet
How the body is organized from cells to tissues... organs to body systems
Five Senses Unit
Skeleton Worksheets and Lapbook Packet
Spanish Store
Click on the image to check out some of the Spanish worksheet bundles we have available!
Ancient China Packet (Free)
German Store
Click on the image above to check out our German worksheets.
Free-Homeschool Planner (100+ Pages)
Homeschool Den STORE
Click on the image to find out more about our units and packets.
I absolutely LOVE the writing packet! How did you find such a great idea??? I have a little boy here who is in 1st grade and I think that would be perfect for next year! Thank you for sharing.
I absolutely LOVE the writing packet! How did you find such a great idea??? I have a little boy here who is in 1st grade and I think that would be perfect for next year! Thank you for sharing.
I best be checking out that monster pack, thanks 🙂
I best be checking out that monster pack, thanks 🙂