Ocean Unit Study: Weeks 4&5

Things are getting a little hectic these days. Family drama. Consulting work. Home school. Doctor appointments. Swim lessons. Preparing for vacation.

Basically, I just keep swimming.

Rather than write long, detailed posts each week, I am trying to stick to much more manageable goals. Honestly, I am really happy if I can manage a photo-intensive post every other week, and that's what you are getting today. However, if you want more detail, I encourage you to (re)visit my initial post describing the plans for our Ocean Unit Study.

 

In Week 4, we created our very own solar still to learn about the water cycle. We also explored why water that evaporates from the ocean isn't salty anymore.

Also in Week 4, we created some mixed-media artwork. Each of the sprouts chose an ocean animal from scrap magazines. Then they painted habitats for those animals with watercolor pencils. First Sprout chose to make a coral habitat for seahorses.

In Week 5, we continued exploring coral reef habitats by making observations about coral with the microscope and magnifying glass. I found this piece of coral washed upon a Florida beach when I was in college, and it's definitely coming in handy lately!

We also made (edible) model coral polyps. The crackers represent the hard exoskeleton that eventually forms the main structure of the reef.

In Week 5, we re-created the famous Cartesian Diver experiment. The (older) sprouts caught on to the relationship between pressure, density, and buoyancy pretty quickly. Third Sprout was a little meh though.

For art in Week 5, we are back to chalk pastel tutorials. This time, Second Sprout was inspired to make a seahorse in their habitat. I love re-visiting the same subjects with different media-- it builds a lot of experience!

Those are all of the photos I have to share for now. We are planning to condense Week 6 of our Ocean Unit Study so that we can get our family vacation started a few days early and take some extra time driving to Florida. Everyone is definitely ready for a break!

Until next time,

Just Keep Swimming!