At last, we are “formally” doing our space unit! It took us sometime and some more units in between but the waiting time is paying off. As in our other units, I will try to share as much as I can and with much order as possible. It is going to be such a long unit since we are doing our work after school or on weekends plus I am trying to add more science activities with it.

As our title suggest, the first part is:

PART 1. The beginning of the universe

• Materials

o Rug or would be better to use a black or dark color bed sheet- believe me it will add to the “magic”). Too bad I didn’t think about it before!

o black balloon filled with glitter or confetti with a pin to pop it (we used the graduate’s confetti from Dollar tree that comes with tiny colorful stars)

o candle

o bits of paper in a container (we used the same confetti)

o a bowl with water 

o Picture of the universe (for illustration)

• Procedure: Fill the balloon with the confetti (don’t need to use too much) and blow it, set it on the rug with the pin next to it.

Lesson:

Ask your kid about the things they see while outside during the day (Trees, sunlight, grass, birds). What do we see at night? (stars, the moon, darkness).

Well, in the beginning, there was nothing. There were no people, or animals, or plants, even the Earth itself did not exist. There was nothing!!! There was no day or night. No stars, no mountains, no rivers, no oceans, nothing. There was only great space which had no beginning and no end. All was dark; so dark that our darkest night would seem like brilliant sunshine. It was so cold that ice would seem warm. (move the balloon slowly back and forth). Because my daughter couldn’t imagine how was that space possible, I tried to show her how the universe was just an empty space with these activities:

 

#1: Empty paper bag. Blow it and see the “space” thru the hole.

#2 Empty jar. It is not black but it has an empty “space”.

Suddenly - in an instant of great energy - a force brought the whole universe into being. (Pop Balloon)

After you popped the balloon, you will have many amazing little stars all over the place. FANTASTIC! Next time I will try to set up everything over a black sheet just to make everything much visual.

Time began and particles appeared. So tiny were these particles that even the smallest specks of dust would seem large next to them.

(Light the candle) There was now light - light greater than we can imagine. So intense was the heat that all matter - iron, gold, rocks, water - existed as a gas. The particles raced around in chaos and when they rammed into each other, they ceased to exist. Our universe may have disappeared in that instant, as quickly as it had appeared, but the universe cooled just enough and the force, something that cannot be seen, but which has great power, began to draw these particles together. Protons, neutrons and electrons, as these particles came to be called, began to join together and the elements of Hydrogen and Helium were formed. These elements would soon transform this chaotic universe. Five billion years had passed.

Over the next 5 billion years the particles continued to join together unable to resist the force. (Paper experiment: pour the water into the rectangular bowl. Add the cut bits of paper slowly and encourage students to pick one bit or a group of bits to watch. No blowing or touching - The Force will do it.) Watch how some of bits come together - this is the force at work. Look also for bits that seem to repel each other - this is also the force at work.

Do not blow or move, just watch carefully!

This was just AWESOME to watch!

As you can see, there will be particle that attract to each other and other repels.

Art activities:

o DIY Jelly bean universe

Materials: dry black beans or black jelly beans, color beads or color jelly beans, baking sprinkles, silver glitter, vase

Add black beans (or jelly beans), color beads, sprinkles and glitter.

Printables: A recompilation for all our space unit to come!

1. ETC Montessori: Here
   1. Moon phases 3-part cards
   2. Phases of the moon control chart
   3. The solar system picture (has planets booklet, etc.)
2. Montessori for everyone: Here
   1. Constellations 3-part cards
3. Montessori for Learning: Here
   1. Moon phase 3-part cards
   2. Solar system sequencing patterning cards
4. Noor Janan Homeschool: Here
   1. Moon Phase- Control Book
   2. Moon Phase- Mini Book
   3. Moon Phase- 3 Part Cards
   4. Solar System Labels & Sun
5. Living Montessori Now:
   1. Montessori-Inspired Star and Constellation Unit
   2. Montessori-Inspired Moon Unit
   3. Montessori-Inspired Astronomy Activities
   4. ABC Letter Box and Astronaut Unit
6. Counting coconuts: Here
   1. Life Cycle of a Star PDF
   2. Mini Unit – Space (love how everything is beautifully organized and presented)
7. The sun:
   1. Here is a beautiful photo about the parts of the sun
   2. Free parts of the sun 3 part cards (clipart)
8. Wikisori: Here
1. Life Cycle of a Star
2. Space Shuttle Fact Sheet
3. Planet Cryptogram
4. NASA Space Science: Adventure is Waiting Activities
5. Libra Constellation Map
6. Virgo Constellation Map
7. Scorpios Constellation Map
8. Sagittarius Constellation Map
9. Solar System: Planets and Facts
9. Pinterest:

 

Thanks for visiting…and see you on our next adventure: Galaxies!

Linking to:

At the beginning of May (I know we are almost done with May…lol), Pinky had her end of the year ballet recital. It is always such a cute moment even that mommy is running like crazy from side to side changing clothes, fixing make-up and hair. Just looking at my little happy baby rocking the stage, makes everything worth it!

Well, I just wanted to share some photos of the cutie one! She did such an amazing job!

My own Shirley Temple: tap dance (On the good ship lollipop)

 

The baby swam (Ballet dance)

 

So proud of you, mama!!!

We are raising Pinky, trilingual. It is NOT an easy task but we know that will help her in the future. Daddy speak in French, being Haitian, and mommy speaks in Spanish, being Puerto Rican. So far, Pinky loves English…ufff! However, she is doing really well with Spanish; hence, we are learning how to read. I can’t say the same about French, though!

I hope I would have a chance to blog more often about our Spanish adventures and not be so lazy!

First lesson is: Vowels!

We used the sandpaper letters just with the Montessori style!

You can see a Spanish phonetic book or “Cartilla fonetica” that my mother brought from PR. It reminds me when I was learning how to read just a couple of years ago! lol

Letter u is pronounced the same as when you have two o’s like in book or good. She got it right away!

For the rest of the vowels just pronounce them as the short vowels sounds in English. If your kid is learning how to read in English, you  can do as me and take advantage with  the Spanish, too. In English, kids start with CVC words….and those sounds are mostly the same in Spanish, just a few exceptions that you will get on later.

After, reviewing the sandpaper letters (Follow the Montessori sandpaper letters instructions….they are great!) we watched a few songs videos in YouTube. If your kid is still learning the letters, I recommend that you continue doing the Montessori sandpaper letters activity until they master them. After that, continue with videos or others activities. For Pinky, it was something that took a few minutes since she knows the letters in Spanish for quite a time now.

For the videos, search in YouTube the ones that say: Las vocales!!! Maybe you can stick to one until  they catch the song and master it!

Pinky working with  the sandpaper vowels.

Spanish phonetic booklet. They have some activities that we are making up into hand-on-activities or Montessori-related and will try to share later.

My silly girl having fun with Spanish!!!

If you put together 2 “ma”…….you get “mama” (Mother!!!)

 

Are you introducing another language?…..what is functioning so far for your family!!!! Any ideas to share!!!