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science for kids

Books Teaching Evolution in Your Secular Homeschool

by Ashley Mullen Leave a Comment

We are heading into our fourth year of homeschooling, our second year using an all-in-one curriculum, and our first year with all three kids officially in school. It’s also our first year starting school in August instead of sticking with the public school year here in Saskatchewan.

Books Teaching Evolution in Your Secular Homeschool

Books for Teaching Evolution in Your Secular Homeschool

*This post does contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy for more information on them, and why I use them.*

As we are starting early, we’re starting light this summer, working our way slowly into our routine. I’m planning on starting with teaching evolution. Our secular science curriculum does not cover it, so this is the perfect time for us to read some great books.

Books for young elementary aged children.

I got a few books from the library that I just loved. I got four books on evolution for kids, that explained evolution to children in a way that they can easily understand.

I Used to Be A Fish – a boy is inspired by a pet fish and fueled by imagination to tell a whimsical version of his own life story, which mirrors the process of human evolution. Children—and adults—will love the absurdity of this tale.

Grandmother Fish – Told in an engaging call and response text where a child can wiggle like a fish or hoot like an ape and brought to life by vibrant artwork, Grandmother Fish takes children and adults through the history of life on our planet and explains how we are all connected.

Our Family Tree – Open this family album and embark on an amazing journey. You’ll meet some of our oldest relatives–from both the land and the sea–and discover what we inherited from each of them along the many steps of our wondrous past.

One Day A Dot – Starting with one tiny dot and continuing through the Big Bang to the rise of human societies, the story of our universe is told in simple and vivid terms. But the biggest question of all cannot be answered: Where did that one dot come from? (This is one evolution book that my kids request again and again, they love it.)

Books Teaching Evolution in Your Secular Homeschool

More books for teaching evolution.

These are more books on evolution for kids, but more for the 10+ years and older age group than young kids. These are really just as great as the books mentioned above. I would still check these out with your younger kids, give them the information that they can understand. I don’t believe in limiting books based on an age level, kids can learn so much from any book.

When Fish Got Feet, Sharks Got Teeth, and Bugs Began to Swarm – Take a fun, fact-filled trip back to Earth as it was 430 million years ago. Then, watch as continents drift and oceans take shape.

Who was Charles Darwin? – About 100 illustrations and a clear, exciting text will make Darwin and his theory of evolution an exciting discovery for every young reader.

Darwin and Evolution for Kids – By encouraging children, parents, and teachers to define the differences between theories and beliefs, facts and opinions, Darwin and Evolution for Kids does not shy away from a theory that continues to spark heated public debate more than a century after it was first proposed.

Filed Under: Books, Books for Homeschoolers Tagged With: Books for Homeschoolers, books for kids, evolution for kids, science for kids

Hands on Science Experiments for Kids

by Ashley Mullen Leave a Comment

I am a hands on person, and while I love reading, I love doing too, experiments that is. My kids also love doing too, they in particular love for hands on science experiments. They are all about reactions, preferring the bigger ones.

Hands on Science Experiments

Hands on Science Experiments for Kids

We have been having  lot of fun over the years doing different science experiments, from those that are great for toddlers to those more appropriate for older children.

Baking Soda Eruption – This is a simple, fun for toddlers experiment.

Elephant Toothpaste – My toddler loved this one too, he was easily able to pour the in

Walking Water – Fun for everyone, but not a fast paced entertaining one.

Mento Eruption – This is a fast paced one. Everyone, toddlers to adults will enjoy it!

Making a Cloud in a Jar – The one is for older kids, say 5+.

Making it Rain in a Jar – Again for older kids, this is a great way to learn about rain on a rainy day.

Looking for them all in one place? I have a printable PDF you can download. In the download you will get all of these written out with the ingredients required, and instructions, one sheet for each experiment.



Hands on Science Experiments for Kids

Filed Under: Experiments, Kids Activities Tagged With: hands on, science, science experiment, science for kids, scientist, summer science

Volcano Experiments for Kids

by Ashley Mullen Leave a Comment

Have you and your children exploded anything lately? Or ever? When I say science experiment, Austin (my oldest) asks if we can explode something. I wonder if I should worry about that or be proud that she wants to learn about interactions of different things.

One thing on our science to-do list is to make a volcano. The construction will be them with Dadda, cause he likes stuff like that, but the explosion will be all me (and them).

Volcano Experiment for Kids

Volcano Facts for Kids

*This posts contains affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase. These help to support Forgetful Momma.*

Update: Links seems to be missing? The hosting company has shut down, my apologizes. 

Before you jump into the volcano science experiment, share these interesting facts about volcanoes with your little learners:

  • There are about 1,900 active volcanoes on the earth. This means they have erupted recently or they might erupt. Some volcanoes are extinct. Over 80 volcanoes have been found in the ocean.
  • Most volcanoes happen on fault lines, or cracks in the Earth’s surface.
  • Most of the earth’s volcanoes are in the Pacific Ocean, in an area called the Ring of Fire.
  • The word “volcano” comes from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
  • Lava from volcanoes can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Volcanoes spew out ash and toxic gases, as well as lava and lava boulders.

Volcano Science Experiment for Kids

Check out how these kids use household chemicals to recreate a volcanic eruption!

Using the Volcano Kit from the video, little scientists are asked to mix chemicals to make the volcano erupt! This will be an experiment that Young Scientists will want to repeat again and again!

Science Experiment E-Book

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Magic School Bus Science Kits

Get an exciting new Magic School Bus Science Kit delivered to your doorstep every month for a YEAR! These science experiments for kids include hands-on experiments with magnets, water, bacteria, fungus, lights, rainbows, and more!


Filed Under: Curriculum, Homeschool Tagged With: affilate, educents, Homeschool, homeschooling, science, science experiment, science for kids, volcano

Apple Browning Experiment

by Ashley Mullen Leave a Comment

We love our apples here. They are always in the fridge, unless its grocery day and they have all been eaten. The one healthy snack that my kids never turn down, and I never have a problem with them having for an afternoon snack.

Apple Browning Experiment

Apple Browning Experiment

*This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*

Now with what I just said in mind, for this science experiment, I didn’t go to the apples in my fridge, we count on them for snacking. Instead I went to the apple tree just a few houses down from us.

I used a couple old cookie sheets that I had painted with chalk paint for our tray. (I knew these would come in handy at some point when I painted them a few months ago!) The cookies sheets were perfect for keeping the bowls separated and labeled, plus they would contain the mess in case they were knocked over.

We used four small apples, in four small bowls with four different coatings.

  • water
  • baking soda
  • vinegar
  • lemon juice

Apple Browning Experiment
It worked out really well, nice and even, both Austin and Brookland were able to cover two apples each, no fighting involved.

We covered them and left them, almost, alone. They were peeked in on every few hours that day, just to make sure they weren’t going any where and to see what was happening… by the girls of course.

Apple Browning Experiment
After 24 hours we checked to see what had happened. The girls weren’t sure what to expect, apples get eaten right away around here, they don’t get put in the fridge half eaten, so they didn’t know that apples turn brown when exposed to air before this experiment.

Apple Browning Experiment

The picture of the apple (fractions) below will lead you to my resource library sign up form. Once you sign up, and confirm it, you’ll have access to all the printable there including this one.

 Apple Fractions

Similar posts that you may be interested in:

Apple Stars and Blossoms

Hopping Popcorn Kernels Science Experiment

Hopping Popcorn

Filed Under: Homeschool Tagged With: apple science, Homeschool, homeschooling, science experiment, science for kids

Wizard’s Brew Fun is Brewing

by Ashley Mullen Leave a Comment

Talk about fun! I’m sure we all have pretended to make witches or wizard’s brew as a child. Now you actually can! I’m always looking for fun things to do with my kids. This is fun to watch no matter how old you are.

wizard's brew

Wizard’s Brew

*This post may contain affiliate links. You can learn more about them in my disclosure policy.*

The weather has been perfect here for this. We can get outside and make a mess! And this outside makes clean up easy as we can just hose everything down. When we did the baking soda bubbles on the kitchen floor, I had a gritty mess to clean. Opps!

This would make a fun Halloween theme science experiment. Use some spooky, Halloween colors for your food color. Orange. Black. Dark green. Red (blood).

How to Make Different Colors for Halloween:

Orange: red and yellow.
Black: 1 part blue, 2.5 parts green, 3 parts red
Dark Green: Lots of blue, little yellow

What you need:

  • vinegar
  • glass jar
  • food color
  • dish soap
  • baking soda
  • glitter (optional)

How to make a Wizard’s Brew:

You’re going to start with your jar (or in our case an old glass candle jar) half filled with vinegar, with a few drops of color added to it. Squeeze in some dish soap, give it a stir.

wizard's brew - ingredients

Now add a heaping spoonful of baking soda. I put our baking soda into a silicone bowl, mainly just to get it outside without losing it all on the walk out, but it also made it easy to dumping into the jar.

Wizard's Brew

The dish soap makes it bubble rather than the quick fizz. A nice volcano eruption. It is not a quick erupt and done, but last for a few minutes.

Wizard's Brew

Now, anything mess related would not be complete without my children playing in the mess. They’re washable. Let them have fun. This has dish soap in it, meaning your children are going to be stained whatever color you use.

Wizard's Brew

This is fun. Go have fun with your kids.

Wizard's Brew

Wizard's Brew Science Experiment

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $5

A fun, messy activity for kids. This is fun during the Halloween season.

Materials

  • vinegar
  • food color
  • dish soap
  • baking soda
  • glitter (optional)

Tools

  • large jar

Instructions

    1. You're going to start with your jar (or in our case an old glass candle jar) half filled with vinegar, with a few drops of color added to it. 
    2. Squeeze in some dish soap, give it a stir.
    3. Now add a heaping spoonful of baking soda. I put our baking soda into a silicone bowl, mainly just to get it outside without losing it all on the walk out, but it also made it easy to dumping into the jar.
    4. Watch the magic. The dish soap makes it bubble rather than the quick fizz. A nice volcano eruption.
© Ashley Mullen
Category: Experiments

I’m already planning on trying this again. I have some small little jars we’ll be using, the more bubbles and wizard’s brew the better. Plus more colors, and if I can hold off until I get to the store, glitter.

This could be a great addition to a witches Halloween custom/set-up.

Resource Library Sign Up
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Science Outside Wizard's brew

Recommended Products for Wizard’s Brew

Similar posts that you may also be interested in:

Elephant Toothpaste
Lemon and Vinegar Experiment

Filed Under: Experiments, Kids Activities Tagged With: Baking soda, Kids Activities, kitchen science, Messy Fun, science experiment, science for kids

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A Little About Me

I'm Ashley, a Canadian secular homeschool mom of 3, living in Nova Scotia.

I share our adventures in homeschooling and parenting.

You can usually find us at the library surrounded by books.
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