Nature Study and TV don't usually go together in the same sentence, nor in the same paragraph. But in the winter months it really is difficult to go outside and get a good first hand experience with nature. The weather is harsh, or muddy and mucky during a thaw, and most live things are dormant or in hibernation.
So I will use more TV shows, and online programming to help my kids learn a little bit more about nature. One of the program sites I frequent often is PBS.org.
Nova had a past episode on Monarch Butterflies, and we watched it today. My daughter loves reading about butterflies and learning about them so this program was right up her alley. Did you realize that the year long migration cycle is made by four generations of monarchs? Three generations only live just over a month and then die, but the fourth generation lives about 9 months. It is the fourth generation that makes the several thousand mile migration from North-Eastern USA and Canada south to Mexico, in two months.
Most of the programming on PBS is great and educational. But a note of caution. As expected, PBS programming usually includes something that is pro evolution or extreme enviromentalism. Watch these programs first. Then watch them with their kids. Then discuss with your kids what was good and not so good about the program.
And don't ever let your kids roam the internet unsupervised.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Auditorium - Developing thinking skills through play
It's important for me that the things my kids do in school time or free time helps to develop logic and thinking skills. We watch very little tv or movies, and have no video gaming systems in the house. Most of our play and creative time is spend working on paper crafts, hand crafts, single player games, and multi player games. Very little of our free time during a school day is spent on the computer.
I am not against gaming systems, they do have their place and purpose in play and recreation. We just have very little room to store one with all the games and accessories that come along with it.
But when I find a computer game that helps to develop thinking and logic skills, while letting my girls be creative and have fun, I feel that I've hit pretty close to the jackpot. And I've done that with a game I found online earlier in the school year.
Auditorium, found at http://www.playauditorium.com/, is an abstract game that stimulates creative thinking. Each level and puzzle has no right or wrong answer, and no one solution. The game is very entertaining in that it utilizes sound and color.
Each "puzzle" begins as a single stream of light. Controls are moved around the screen to bend the stream, change the color of the stream, the direction of the stream, or the speed. The object is to direct the stream to an Audio Container, and fill the container. The container transforms the light into sound. On the levels where there are several Audio Containers, it creates a pleasing and harmonious "symphony".
The concept is simple, but requires real thought to be put into the game to solve. And usually the first attempt at solving the puzzles with multiple containers is not successful. Which also teaches to not give up on the first try, but try again.
The online demo is free, and offers hours of playtime. You can also purchase the full version for even more options and controls. Flash Player is required to play.
I highly recommend this for upper elementary/lower middle school on up. Younger ages can play too, but probably better sitting in mommy's lap as a helper.
I am not against gaming systems, they do have their place and purpose in play and recreation. We just have very little room to store one with all the games and accessories that come along with it.
But when I find a computer game that helps to develop thinking and logic skills, while letting my girls be creative and have fun, I feel that I've hit pretty close to the jackpot. And I've done that with a game I found online earlier in the school year.
Auditorium, found at http://www.playauditorium.com/, is an abstract game that stimulates creative thinking. Each level and puzzle has no right or wrong answer, and no one solution. The game is very entertaining in that it utilizes sound and color.
Each "puzzle" begins as a single stream of light. Controls are moved around the screen to bend the stream, change the color of the stream, the direction of the stream, or the speed. The object is to direct the stream to an Audio Container, and fill the container. The container transforms the light into sound. On the levels where there are several Audio Containers, it creates a pleasing and harmonious "symphony".
The concept is simple, but requires real thought to be put into the game to solve. And usually the first attempt at solving the puzzles with multiple containers is not successful. Which also teaches to not give up on the first try, but try again.
The online demo is free, and offers hours of playtime. You can also purchase the full version for even more options and controls. Flash Player is required to play.
I highly recommend this for upper elementary/lower middle school on up. Younger ages can play too, but probably better sitting in mommy's lap as a helper.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Audio Book of the Week - Hurlbut's Story of the Bible
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part One
Genesis - DeuteronomyGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part One chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Two
The Book of Joshua - JudgesGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Two chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Three
Saul - SolomonGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Three chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Four
Solomon's Son's - JohahGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Four chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Five
2 Chronicles - Ezra
2 Chronicles - EzraGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Five chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Six
The Life of JesusGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Five chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
Hurlbut's Story of the Bible - Part Seven
Acts - RevelationGo to the Librivox.com archive page for the entire Part Seven chapter by chapter playlist, or click play below to hear it from the beginning.
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