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 The more I read about learning disabilities, the more I understand myself.
A friends suggested that I read Dr. Greenspan’s book, “The Learning Tree,” and I am glad that she did. This book could and maybe should be a text book for educators. As a classroom teacher, I worked with kids with so many different learning disabilities–I don’t mean the obvious ones, such as dyslexia. Instead, some were more hands-on. They had to have it all written down. Some could listen and seemed to do all the processing in their heads.
I never saw the IQ of my students. In fact, I am not so sure that kids should have their IQ measured. Dr. Greenspan points out that IQ is not the definitive score for learning. There is so much more involved.
It doesn’t matter how old or young a child is, information in this book can be helpful in OVERCOMING LEARNING DISABILITIES.
No promises for making every child with Einstein abilities. But, understanding and being able to identify and “root out” learning obstacles makes the book a wonderful teaching tool. I plan to overcome some of the learning disabilities that I have, but were never identified.
I found “The Learning Tree” on Amazon, but it can be purchased at other online sources and most likely Barnes and Noble in Waco. Let me know what you think about the book.
Mrs. VanCleave has blessed GWCHE so MUCH, and she is extending her kindness once again! If your family has been thinking about participating in our Science Fair, but would just like some guidance, here’s your chance! Parents who are interested in step by step directions so they can guide their children in developing projects, please email Janice VanCleave at askjvc@aol.com. Through e-mails, she will teach the Scientific Method in a way that makes it useful and meaningful, as opposed to just memorizing the steps!
Colors
Science is all about investigating the world around us. When teaching science, I suggest that you add a touch of color and fun at every opportunity.
For example, the photo of the bee on the beautiful purple flower with the bright green background is is very pleasing to the eye. The picture alone can be used to introduce physical properties.
physical properties: characteristics that can be used to describe stuff.
Physical properties include, color, size, texture, weight, and the state of matter (gas, solid, liquid).
Coded Message
What about the two word bubbles!
What is the message? (“See the Bee?” “Yes”)
What kind of organisms are speaking? (For fun, kids can describe the speakers. Could they be from outer space, or just kids that have spent too much time texting their friends?)
I invite you to share your ideas for making science fun.
Add comments here or email me at: ASK JANICE
I have been adding new ideas to my science website, check it out:
Science Project Ideas For Kids.com
I look forward to sharing science ideas with you.
Janice
Kids too often do not properly chew their food.
This page contains information about chewing and the part of digestion that occurs in your mouth.
Chewing
Steps for Eating an apple:
1. Using your front teeth (incisors) , you bite off a piece of the apple. Incisor teeth are thinner and sharper than other teeth.
2. Once the food is in your mouth, you then chew it with your grinding teeth (molars). Molar teeth are wide with a rough surface on top. These teeth are in the back of your mouth and are used to grin food.
No matter how much you chew food, chewing cannot break the chemicals in food apart.
Digestion
Digestion is the breakdown of chemicals in food to forms the body can use.
Food Digestion starts in your mouth where saliva (spit) mixes with the food that you chew. It is important to chew your food well so that the saliva thoroughly mixes with the food.
Challenge:
Does saliva digest all kinds of food?
Discover For Yourself
Use small jars of differnt kinds of baby food, such a meats, fruits, and vegetables.
Disign your own technique for adding saliva to the food in each jar. One method might be place a spoon in your mouth so that its surface is covered with saliva, and then stir the food in one of the jars. Use a clean spoon for each test.
Please share your testing method and results. pictures would be wonderful.
 Just like kids, I love magic, but I am never happy until I figure out how the trick is done. Equally as important, I don’t want to know the punch line in advance.
I like to try to figure out the trick that is behind the so called “magic.” I guess that is what makes science so exciting to me. It’s the never ceasing desire to explore and explain the magical mysteries of what is going on around us that keeps me challenged and very entertained.
As a teacher, I try to keep kids challenged. So instead of always giving answer to questions, I often answer with: “Let’s Find Out!”
Question: How can circles be magical?
Answer:
Let’s Find Out!
Have you ever made Möbius strips? If not, then you and your kids are in for wonderful surprises.
Remember: It is most important that the results of magical activities comes as a SURPRISE. So, be sure and do not reveal how the curvy circles are made. In fact, make them at a time when your children will not observe the process.
For instructions on how to make the three curvy circles needed for this Science Magic Activity as well as instructions for presenting the magic show,
Click Here, and then Search for Möbius Strips
photo source http://www.flickr.com/photos/barkbud/4537268923/
 I hate flies for many reasons, including the fact that they are annoying. But more than being a nuisance, flies are nasty creatures that poop and regurgitate on food.
Yes! I am saying that flies deposit poop as well as vomit on the food they land on. They may not always poop on the food, but if the food is solid, they do vomit on it.
The vomit contains digestive chemicals that causes the chemicals in the food to start decomposing (breaking apart). The decomposed food can then dissolve in the liquid vomit.
Why all the vomiting? Flies do not have teeth to chew with. In fact, part of their mouthparts is a type of drinking tube called a proboscis. The picture compares a fly’s proboscis with a sponge. Both can soak up liquids.
After a fly has prepared its juicy meal by mixing vomit with the food, it then soaks up the juicy food with the end of its proboscis. The absorbed food is then sucked through the proboscus into its body where it is further digested and th e nourishing parts are absorbed by the body.
Did you know that a fly can taste your food by standing on it? Yes, flies have taste sensors on their feet. If they like the food, they –well you know the drill. They have to prepare the food so that it is juicy enough to be sucked through their proboscis.
Flies are always swarming around rotting foods. Must be like going to a buffet with all the different partially decomposed foods. These juicy delights are easily to slup and the germs in this food are not a problem to the fly.
Not only do flies suck up germy foods, but they get it on the bristles of their feet. I wonder where th fly in the photo had its last meal? Looks like he is standing on a brown sugar treat prepared for someone—
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GWCHE is a Christian volunteer support group in Waco, Texas dedicated to helping families who have chosen to educate their children at home.
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