Celery 'Drinking' Experiment

The kids really loved this experiment and it let them discover for themselves how plants 'drink'.

Some great thought processes were witnessed and interesting conversations were had, some of which are documented below.

Day 1 Celery Experiment

Day 1 - When we placed the celery in the coloured water (black, yellow and green), I asked my 6 year old;
"What do you think will happen?"
There was a bit of a blank look on her face and she really didn't know what to say.  When I prompted her to make a random guess she said "They are going to turn that colour?"
Lets wait and see I said...

Day 2 Celery Experiment

Day 2 - As the celery started to change colour, the excitement grew!  

"Oh my gosh... look at the celery!" 

 I asked "How did the colour get to the top of the stalk when only the bottom is in the water?"  

This question provoked much thought and eventually, after a little giggle came the response; 

"Through the air?" 

 I said  "Good try... have another guess."  

After more thought came the response "It goes up the celery stick."

I asked "How does it go up?"

"On the outside"

We felt the celery stick.

"Is there any colour on your fingers?

"No."

"So, the colour doesn't go up on the outside.  How else could it get to the top?

"On the inside!"  

"Yes!  Why would the water go all the way to the top of the stalk and through the leaves?"

"Don't know."

"Have a guess."

"Mmmm, because it's drinking it."

"Exactly!"

This was a great  conversation and I loved the way she really thought about her answers.  The look on her face when she figured out the process was remarkable.  She was so proud!  

Day 3 Celery Experiment

Day 3 - We continued to watch the celery changing colour even more dramatically on the 3rd day.


Overall, this was a very successful science experiment and my kids enthusiasm made it very enjoyable.  I highly recommend trying it!!!!

Self-Raising Flour Puff Paint

A very simple, inexpensive and fun activity...

What You Need: (for each colour)

1 tablespoons SR flour
1 tablespoon salt
few drops food colouring
water
thick card
cotton buds

Mix flour, colour and water in a small bowl until you get a smooth paste.  Make as many colours as you need.

Place cotton buds in bowls and get thick card ready...

Get creative!!

 

When finished, place in microwave... each microwave will vary but I placed them in for 30 seconds.

 Ta-da!  A wonderful display of puff paint art!

Sock Matching Game

This game gets children involved in chores while having fun!

1.  Get all your unmatched socks.

2. Children find as many matching pairs as they can.  The person with the most matching pairs is the winner!

3. The result... a beautiful pile of matched up socks!  Gives the children something to do and gets your socks sorted at the same time.  Win-Win!!

Chocolate Damper

I've been looking at the hot coals in our fire place every night and tonight I decided to make use of them by making damper with the kids.  It was SO GOOD, we'll definitely be making it again!  :)

Recipe: (adapted from bestrecipes.com.au)

Ingredients:
250g self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
25 gram butter
175 mL milk
Chocolate surprise for the centre of the damper

Method:

1.  Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.  Add the butter and rub it in to the flour with your fingertips until is resembles fine breadcrumbs.

2.  Stir in the milk to make a soft but not sticky dough.

3.  Turn out onto a floured board and shape into a soft, smooth ball.

4.  Set the ball of dough onto foil and add the chocolate surprise by pushing the chocolate pieces into the centre of the dough.


5.  Flatten gently, wrap in foil. About 6 layers of foil works well.


6.  Place the damper on the hot ashes and coals and spread some over the top.


7.  Cook for approx 30 minutes.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  ENJOY!

Building your child's vocabulary

I came across a great article about vocabulary...

Below is a snapshot but you can read the full article here.

Build Your Child's Vocabulary - Lauren Lowry