A few weeks ago I was asked by staff at the school to speak at an upcoming workshop for parents. I was surprised to be invited to speak at the event. Although, we do some fun things as a family on our homeschool days, I don't consider myself well-versed in all things "project-based". I never thought I would be a homeschooler, and am just 2.5 years into this journey. However, I figured if another parent would be encouraged by my journey, ideas, and inspirations...well than I should probably go ahead and speak at the event. SO....last night I spoke at the workshop on "Project-Based Learning at Home". Along with sharing our family's journey and project ideas, I made it a point to encourage parents to be okay with their plans not going as expected....
Well....THIS is what happened today during homeschooling....
My two 3rd graders are doing a major focus on Mars in their class. So to support their learning at home, I bought a rocket kit at Michael's Art Store that involved using vinegar and baking soda to make the rocket blast off. My hopes were that we could measure the duration of time the rocket flew (from launch to landing) and analyze the data with line plot graphs. Well........we tried launching the thing eight times today.....epic failure. We only got it to launch three times, and the highest it went was about 1 foot. Then, I quickly looked up "rocket blasting" ideas on youtube and we tried an "easy", DIY rocket with a water bottle (and vinegar and baking soda).....another epic failure. Lastly, we resorted to using an air paper rocket thing we already had. It mostly worked. Sorta....kinda. Almost. We did all of that from 9:30am-1pm! At about 1:30 my kids and I were finally all sitting around the dining table "doing" some school work. The kids were munching on a large bowl of popcorn that was on the table. My oldest daughter asked if someone could hand her some popcorn. So...with my best decision-making skills in place...I took a handful...and threw it at her! I don't know what came over me. I think the many failed rocket launches somehow caused a moment of delirium. She looked at me like I was crazy! My other three children also froze and looked at me. A wide grin stretched across my face.....and a popcorn food fight ensued (I really got them!). It was flying everywhere and the kids were cracking up over their dream-come-true! A real food fight, in our real dining area, in OUR house! The decision-making got even better when I remembered that my husband was working in our home office, so the kids and I grabbed handfuls of popcorn and ambushed him too! It was complete madness! After calming down and cleaning up our mess, we ended the day with reading....and called our homeschool day done!
I SO wish I had this story to tell last night at the workshop!
-Rocket failure.....but learned lots about trouble-shooting and perseverance (the kids did manage to make a line plot with some of the info they collected)
-Pop corn fight.....was some much needed stress relief and added tons of laughter to our day
That's what I get for making it a point at the workshop to encourage parents to be okay with their plans not going as expected!!!!
Super moms, may your best laid plans and beautiful intentions be appreciated
always. And....if by chance....things don't go as planned....THROW POPCORN!!!
Stupid rocket thing....
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