March 27

The Doiley

I’ve been restoring antique linens that I inherited. Oh, how I wish I knew which hands crocheted each one. The beauty of these doilies is remarkable and what a fun way to learn math! The maker would also need excellent fine motor and focusing skills. They remind me of the intricate patterns in snowflakes. Many of the doilies I have are larger than these and in a variety of shapes.

Learn more about the history of the Doiley from Junkbox Treasures here and Wonderopolis here. I cleaned my vintage linens with Mama’s Miracle Linen Soak, an amazing product that has removed all the brown storage stains. What is the science?



The doilies were popular during the Victorian period. In one of the videos I watched, the antique dealer stated that doilies are making a comeback!

Related Posts

Paper Cuttings

Snowflakes

March 18

An Invader

How would you describe a squirrel? Words such as persistent, acrobatic, determined, and trickster are my first thoughts. I remember my dad waging war to keep them off our bird feeders and to his frustration, with little success. My favorite attempt was when he greased the pole, but these clever rodents were still able to reach the birdseed. My backyard is wooded, so I use suet feeders which until today had not attracted squirrels. It was entertaining to watch him try to reach the seed. Watch the antics here.

Staring Contest

Go here to view full screen. A fun engineer mentor text! Identify the character traits of the main character.

Related Posts

Baby Squirrels

Busy Squirrels

Balance and Squirrels

Sleepy Squirrel

March 4

Volcanoes

Last fall after visiting Santorini, Greece, I wanted to learn more about the geological history of this remarkable area.


Santorini is in a small circular group of islands (archipelago) consisting of overlapping shield volcanoes in the Aegean Sea. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history occurred in approximately 1620 BC, destroying the advanced Minoan culture. A caldera, a large bowl-shaped volcanic crater, where the mouth of the volcano collapsed, was created as a result of this massive eruption. It has filled with water over time. The caldera is easily visible when you stand on the cliffs in Santorini. Two small islands lie inside the caldera which is the largest in Europe. To read more, go here.


The volcano has erupted nine times in the last 2000 years, the last in 1950. Vulcanologists believe it could erupt again.

Watch full screen here.

One of our tour guides pointed out how clouds form around the caldera. Why?

The ground was littered with volcanic (igneous) rocks when we hiked the Fira-Oia along the clifftops overlooking the caldera.

My husband and I visited Antigua, Guatemala for a family wedding about a year ago. Go to this post to learn more: Volcanoes in Guatemala

Related Posts

Thermal Energy (Volcano/Caldera in Yellowstone Park)

Volcano Science Lab

Rock Cycle

Mineral Lab

A Volcano Metaphor

October 26

Hot Air Balloon Ride

After breakfast one morning in Amboise, France, we heard the balloons before they came into view. We were excited to watch them because we had plans for a hot air balloon ride the following day.

Eight of us met our pilot and his assistant while it was still dark and boarded the van to drive 30 minutes to an open field in the Loire Valley. Their experience was evident as they skillfully pulled the basket off the trailer, unrolled the balloon, and inflated it with air using a large fan. Then they turned on the burners to heat the air because hot air rises. They prompted us for assistance as needed. So peaceful and no better way to watch the sunrise over the French countryside.





No photos of us in the balloon because as soon as the eight of us crawled inside, we lifted off and after we landed, we were asked to immediately disembark.


We helped pack it all back onto the trailer.

This is an elementary video, but it accurately depicts our experience. Go here to view full screen.

A hot air balloon pilot is also called an aeronaut. Go here to view full screen.

For older students:  “This is the true story of one child, Peter Wetzel, and his family, as they risk their lives for the hope of freedom in a daring escape from East Germany via a handmade hot air balloon in 1979.” (Amazon)

Thanks to Starrmatica for the following two book suggestions:

“John Jeffries, an Englishman, and his pilot, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, a Frenchman, want to be the first. On January 7, 1785, they set out to cross the English Channel to France in a balloon.” (Amazon)

A Voyage in the Clouds: The (Mostly) True Story of the First International Fl... - Picture 1 of 4

“More than a century before the Wright Brothers invented their plane, Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier sent a flying machine into the skies—a hot-air balloon with three animals in the basket.” (Amazon)

Up and Away: How Two Brothers invented the Hot-Air Balloon by Jason ...

It is on my bucket list to visit the Alburquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Go here to view full screen.

Previous Related Posts

Blimps

Solar Balloon Lab

Parade Balloons

To integrate art, task your students or children with designing a hot air balloon. Use the following coloring book for inspiration.

 

Hot Air Balloons Colouring Book - by The History Press (Paperback), 1 of 2

August 7

Unexpected Discoveries

I walk with expectancy, not knowing who or possibly what I will encounter next on my woodland hikes or neighborhood walks. Is there wildlife around the turn or peering at me from the tree limbs (if I would just remember to look up.) Each discovery is a gift, a memory to treasure, a smile waiting to happen. Grateful.

I hope I live life this way too, excited to discover what adventure or sweet moment awaits.

Just a few of my latest discoveries….

I happened upon the doe first and a few steps later, I realized why this nervous mama was stomping her hoof in warning. Go here for a previous deer post.


Tree frogs are always a delightful surprise!

I spied this dead Eastern Hercules beetle lying on the path, as if it was donating its body to science. Go here to learn more about beetles.

I tried to rescue this millipede from the hot summer sun. To learn more about millipedes, go here.

A box turtle was unable to climb over the street curb, so I gave it a lift up. Go here for a post about turtles.

A yellow-bellied slider startled me when I was trying to capture a photo of a dragonfly. Learn more about sliders here.

So many dragonflies darting around the ponds. For a previous post about dragonflies, go here.

While watering my plants, a little toad hopped out from the leaf litter. Go here to learn more about toads.

July 3

Updated Fireworks Post

I originally wrote this post about the history and science of fireworks last year, but I’m reposting with a few updates. Happy Fourth of July!

I watched fireworks at my sister’s home in Kirkwood, MO. As I watched this impressive display, I wondered about the history of fireworks and how the colors and shapes are created. Check out the links below to find out more.


Click here to learn more about fireworks from Steve Spangler.

Click here to watch the following video in full screen. Click here for the Safeshare link.

Go here to watch full screen.

April 30

How to Improve Your Photographs

Because I desire to be a lifelong learner, I am studying how to improve my photography skills. A Run Wild My Child blog post (for which I am an ambassador) shared helpful suggestions for taking better pictures of your kids outside with your phone.

Recently, I completed a class, Basics of Nature Photography, at Chattahoochee Nature Center with Eric Bowles. I am reviewing previous photos and practicing the following composition lessons I learned:

In your imagination, divide your photo into a 3×3 grid. The focus of your photo should be where two lines intersect (Rule of Thirds) or generally off center:

Look for S cand C curves to engage the viewer and create motion but try not to let the curves move off directly into a corner of your photo.


Attempt to capture an animal looking toward you.

If you capture an animal in profile, leave space in front of the animal in the direction it is moving.

Use the rule of thirds and place the horizon line in the lower third or the upper third of the composition depending upon where you want the viewer to focus. Don’t place a horizon line behind someone’s head and it should be straight.

Explore framing your subject.

Shoot your photo from different perspectives. Try shooting up or down on your subject.

Diagonal lines can draw your eye to the subject or create movement.


One more hint: If you have people in your photo, don’t cut the subjects off at joints – knees, wrists, and ankles for example. I am sharing nature photos on my Instagram account. I hope you’ll take a minute to check it out! (@pbright2)

March 8

Run Wild My Child

I’m excited to share that I have been invited to be an ambassador for Run Wild My Child. Click here to visit their amazing site! It is filled with engaging and creative ideas about spending more time outdoors with your families. My readers know that is also a passion of mine! I’m looking forward to learning from these kindred spirits! Follow them on Facebook and Instagram too!

Don’t miss the treasure hunt on April 22 with real prizes! Click here for additional information.

February 18

Let’s Hunt for Hearts!

It’s all about love in February! Let’s celebrate by searching for hearts in nature. Having an intention when you walk always sharpens observation skills. If you find one, please place it in the comments. I’ll be adding more as I discover them too.

Also check out Run Wild My Child’s blog post here about collecting hearts in nature and the great cause it supports.

deer track




Someone found this heart before me!

Click here for a favorite classroom activity to build community using hearts. Little Hearts, Finding Hearts in Nature looks like a fun story to read prior to or after your search. Click here to read a summary.

Little Hearts: Finding Hearts in Nature by [Charles Ghigna, Jacqueline East]

February 15

Volcanoes – Guatemala

My husband and I traveled to Guatemala for a family wedding. As we approached Antigua, about an hour drive from Guatemala City, the volcanoes provided a striking backdrop to the former capital. Agua (water), Fuego (fire), and Acatenango (two headed) are the three volcanoes that tower around the colonial city, but Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes in all.

Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, explodes several times an hour (strombolian activity). The last major eruption was in June 2018.

Contrary to what you might think, an active volcano benefits the land around it. Guatemala is one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables in Central America because the mineral deposits from volcanic eruptions enrich the soil. Click here to watch the following Study Jam about volcanoes.

Click here to view full screen.

Click here for a previous lab about volcanoes – always a favorite!