Weekly Report: Springtime

Since our science studies have taken us to plants, the kids have been more observant of plants in our own backyard. After we read about dandelions, we all realized that the white ball of fluff we like to blow all over the yard and the pretty, yellow dandelion flower are one in the same! The kids found this dandelion in our yard as it makes its transformation.

Twice Freed gave us a peek at life in Rome around 64 AD during the time of the emperor Nero. But, our favorite Roman history resource so far is Drive thru History by Dave Stotts. He has taken us to Rome and showed us the significance of the Coliseum, the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Titus, and the Pantheon. What amazing history has been recorded and preserved in these ancient Roman structures! We feel like we are touring Rome when we watch this DVD.

Allison and I are working through another Shakespeare play. A study of Roman history led us to choose this last literature selection of this school year--Julius Caesar. A perfect fit to accompany our study of Rome!

We had fun with the old fashioned carnation experiment this week too.
We started out with two plain, white flowers.

We split one of the stems into two parts and put one side in yellow food coloring and the other side in blue food coloring. With our second flower, we simply put green food coloring in the water in the vase. The point of the experiment is to watch how the xylem carries water up the flower's stem to its petals.

I had a hard time taking a good picture, but the above carnation is tinged green.

This carnation soaked up the color better. We were surprised at how well the yellow food coloring showed up in comparison to the green and blue.

Only four more weeks of this school year. I'm ready for summer break, but at the same time, I cannot believe how fast the year flew by! Have a great weekend everyone. :)