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We are doing LHFHG w/ 1st grade options. I was just leafing through Our Father's World and this probably happens in other science books. I came across an activity where a cricket is to be put in a cage and fed and watered for a while. This is week 13. So, by that time the crickets will be gone here in PA. It will be too cold for them. I wanted to just follow the HOD guide as written, but if I do, we'd have to skip this and maybe some other activities, due to an off season. I feel like I have to go through the science book now and make sure we don't miss something else. I just wondered how others handle situations like this.

Hi Pam! Great question! HOD makes a big effort to write their own hands-on science experiments, that can be done at any time of year, within any season, and with supplies you'd typically have on hand at home. For these reasons, experiments such as the one you've mentioned are not done, but are considered extra optional experiments you can do if you want. Because there are so many science experiments already planned in the HOD guides (i.e about 70 in LHFHG, 70 in Beyond, 70 in Bigger, 35 in PHFHG, 35 in CTC, and 35 in RTR ), we have not done any extra experiments and have found what is planned within the HOD guide to be more than enough. I had bought science kits to be done for fun 4 summers back, and as each summer has passed and we have still not completed the kits, I finally got rid of them. They had odd supplies, needed certain weather or times of day, etc., so we never did get them done - I think we did 2 out of 20. It has been a reminder to me to be thankful that HOD really does make it easy to complete science experiments on a weekly basis. So many experiments look and sound good, but that makes no difference if they don't get done. The kind of dilemma you just described here explains why HOD writes science experiments in the way they do! I am so glad you raised this question, so others can see that in order to see how the experiments part of the HOD plans will go, looking at the HOD guide itself on the experiments' days will help you envision that so much better than looking at the science books.

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks, Julie! I didn't want to miss anything. Maybe I can do the cricket activity with dd now I think she would love it. She came in one day with a yellow fuzzy caterpillar and was determined to keep it. She wouldn't touch it. She used a stick or something to push it in a jar It spun a cocoon within the first or second day. It will be some kind of wood moth, if it lives Maybe when we get back from camping, we'll look for a cricket I'm glad you explained the HOD science. We are starting in 12 days!!!! Can't wait

It also may be possible to order a cricket....we have ordered caterpillars on an 'off' season before, though not way up in PA. Just a thought....but you could definitely just go ahead and do it now too. I'm sure dd would think it's great fun!

Oh my, I'd send you a cricket - or a dozen - if I thought it could handle the trip! There would be enough for you too, inHistiming, and anyone else for that matter. Come on over and take some of the crickets from our yard, would you please?!? We live near a field of corn and pastureland, and crickets abound. Can I borrow some seashells though? They're hard to come by here. I love that with CM style education, our kiddos get to explore God's creation in their own backyards every day. You have a short countdown until you start - hooray!

In Christ,
Julie

No thanks, Julie! We have plenty, although I know out west there many more. Since the cricket project is in the science book and not HOD, I will just do it this summer while I can find one here. I just can't see ordering one, either. Sorry I can't help you with the seashells You are right about our dc being able to explore God's creation in their backyards. It also gives us the flexibility of traveling to other places to see new things and we don't have to worry about our dc 'missing school' We've been to Montana (your neighbor) since I have a sister there. I don't remember a lot of crickets, but I've seen those grasshoppers!!

I just have one other question. I apologize if this has been repeated so many times. I know Carrie's science activities basically use common household products. But I was wondering if there are any items needed, such as a scale. I saw in the science book there is an activity where a scale is used. I didn't know if Carrie's use anything like that. I just want to make sure I have things ahead of time. Maybe there is a thread with a list of items. I can page through the guide and see what is needed, but if there is a list posted somewhere, that would be easier. I guess I can search previous threads, too. Thanks for any help.

I don't think I've ever used a scale over the years (for HOD that is ). Actually, it would probably be a good idea for me never to use one. I have really not had to skip an experiment over the years, and I am the worst about looking ahead for supplies. I don't have a well-stocked house with science-type things in mind either. Wax paper, tin foil, cotton balls, glitter, those may be a few of the less common supplies I've used over the years, though they're still fairly common and often times substitutions are suggested anyway. This is why a list is not compiled. If you have your guide in hand, it would probably ease your mind to flip through the left sides of the pages and skim the science box that comes up 2 times a week in the bottom left corner. I bet you'd have most of it on hand right now! For RTR, I may look ahead a tad, but I really haven't in years past. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

my3sons wrote:I don't think I've ever used a scale over the years (for HOD that is ). Actually, it would probably be a good idea for me never to use one. I have really not had to skip an experiment over the years, and I am the worst about looking ahead for supplies. I don't have a well-stocked house with science-type things in mind either. Wax paper, tin foil, cotton balls, glitter, those may be a few of the less common supplies I've used over the years, though they're still fairly common and often times substitutions are suggested anyway. This is why a list is not compiled. If you have your guide in hand, it would probably ease your mind to flip through the left sides of the pages and skim the science box that comes up 2 times a week in the bottom left corner. I bet you'd have most of it on hand right now! For RTR, I may look ahead a tad, but I really haven't in years past. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

We've found the same to be true as Julie! HOD is truly doable (thanks to the flexible, easy to come by supply needs) by those who just open the guide and go. I LOVE this because we live out in the boonies and DO NOT make special trips to town for this and that! I don't ever look ahead and it hasn't ever been a problem. (For school anyway, dinner has been a problem now and then as my husband is not a fan of pb&j. ) We've done LHTH, half of LHFHG, Bigger, & Preparing so far and haven't ever hit a supply snag.

Kathleen

Thanks, Julie and Kathleen. I did page through some of the guide and saw how little supplies are needed for LHFHG. I'm so thankful for Carrie's activities, because I am one of those 'NOT creative' ones. I am just itching to start, but we are going camping on Saturday, for 6 days! In tents! I love it! So, HOD will have to wait until we get back. But, I know our days will be filled with science while at the park. They have nature trails to hike and an environmental center where someone will come sometimes and talk about wildlife, etc. I even got a fishing license this year! That is the highlight of our camping trip for dh.

Kathleen, you mentioned dinner. I could make a whole new thread out of that one. Whether homeschooling 3 or 1, I've not done a very good job at preparing good meals on a regular basis. Part of my problem is not planning ahead. I would love to hear how other people handle mealtime. You'd think after 28 years of marriage, that wouldn't be a problem. It's definitely better, but there is much room for improvement. I have some Taste of Home magazines, but haven't utilized them very often. Maybe for science, a cooking class for dd AND mom. That can be done year round!