TOPS Science: Radishes: A Review

So, we finished our 3.5 weeks of TOPS Radishes today!  I'm happy we did it and very happy to be done. 

Bee (7th grade) was able to do the activities independently.  Bug (3rd grade) needed a lot of help and sometimes seemed to find the projects stressful, even though I simplified things for him.  The fact that Dot is a busy toddler and constantly needs my attention probably factored into this. 

Overall, I was pleased with my purchase and felt it was a very good value.  We fit a lot of science into 3.5 weeks.  I was especially happy with the data collection and final graph that they made, a very good experience for both of them.  They are both really interested in plants now and are excited about planting a fall garden. 

As far disadvantages, some of the experiments were a little bit dry and boring, particularly for Bug at his age.  Also, our plants didn't have enough light, so I would recommend that anyone follow the instructions carefully make sure to find a very sunny window or use a fluorescent light. 

It was great doing science every day for a few weeks.  We really got a lot done.  With Bee's robotics and environmental science classes this fall, I feel like he probably doesn't need me to do more formal science with him.  For Bug, I'm going to look into some super fun science experiments for his age to do in addition to his robotics.  Maybe we'll continue with plant science since that is most interesting to me. 

Anyway, I do recommend TOPS Radishes! 

Our Worm Bin: An Update

I had a comment asking for an update on our worm bin.  We got a Worm Factory about three months ago and stocked it with 500 red wriggler worms.  We are not squeamish and keep it in oun den, next to a love seat.  I had a homemade bin in the past, so was not new to raising worms. 

The bin is doing great.  There are lots of worms of different sizes, so I assume they are reproducing well.  I added the second tray on a couple of weeks ago, and many of my worms have already moved up there.  My youngest child enjoys feeding his banana peels and apple cores to the worms.  I am putting more and more of our kitchen scraps in there, and I think eventually it will be able to absorb the majority of them.  Some kitchen waste will still need to go in the outdoor bin, such as garlic, onion, and citrus pellings.  I tear up lots of cereal box-type cardboard for the bedding.

There are structured "worm activities" out there, but I haven't looked into doing them. The children just know the worms exist, they eat are garbage, and produce castings that we can use in the garden.  Worms are a fun addition to any homeschool (or home). 

Our Worm Factory Arrives

Our Worm Factory came.  The worms haven't arrived yet, since I ordered them separately.  Bug and I set it up together.  It looks nice, and there is nothing about it that screams "worms live here."  Obviously, some people (like my parents) would freak out to know that worm composting was going on in my house.

I like it much, much better than my attempts at homemade bins.  One of the things that attracted me to it is that each tray weighs only 18 pounds when full--in other words, easily managable.  My homemade bins would get extremely heavy.

Bug is very excited--he was worried that our dog might eat our new worms, but I assured him we will keep an eye on the dog and make sure he doesn't do that.  I think this is going to be a fun, low maintenance project.  And, if we do have any problems with univited bugs to our bin, I can always move it outside as a last resort.  I think it would be fine on our shady back deck in the summer and in the garage in the winter.

Raising Critters

We released 4 of our butterflies yesterday.  The boys loved watching the caterpillars and then the butterflies.  The 5th butterfly was still in its chrysalis, but it came out overnight (I wasn't sure it would come out at all).  I suggested releasing it today, but Bee thought we should keep it for a few days, like we had the others.

We kept the little guys on our kitchen table.  Clearly, we are not a family who is squeamish about insects. 

I have ordered Ladybug Land as well as larvae, also from Insect Lore, as well as one of their praying mantis egg sacs.  I tried the egg sac once, and nothing happened, but that may have been because a certain toddler named Bug picked up the little jar with the egg sac and shook it like a maraca.

Also, on impulse today, I'm afraid I ordered a worm bin.  I've kept composting worms before, but I had homemade bins, and didn't really like them.  I'm hopeful that the Worm Factory will be easier to use.  I know that both boys will enjoy feeding and observing the process of composting.  We have a backyard composter as well.

For the winter, we plan to have an ant farm.  I'm open to any kind of thing like that, as long as the animals can be released at some point (in the case of the ants, they will die).  I don't want any additional permanent pets.  Two cats, a dog, and a few fish are more than enough.  Although I plan to keep our worms, it's nice to know that if I tire of them, I can dump them in the garden without killing them or disrupting the ecosystem.

I'll update on how all of our experiments with critters goes!  

caterpillars

We have some little Painted Lady caterpillars to observe as they grow, spin cocoons, and turn into butterflies.  I know homeschoolers who go out and get the proper plants and catch their own caterpillars, but, I'm afraid, this year, I decided just to go with what I knew: the caterpillars from Insect Lore.  The boys were thrilled when they arrived in the mail!  Next year, maybe I'll use dill and get swallowtail caterpillars from my garden. 

Keeping and releasing caterpillars was something I had planned to do every year with my children, and I did it once when Bee was about 2 haven't gotten around to it for the past 6 years.  But the great thing is that, in my now toddler-free home, I do not have to worry about anyone grabbing the container and shaking it (as happened to my praying mantis egg sac one year, thanks Bug). 

Pick Your Own

It's springtime and strawberry season here!  Several local farms offer strawberry picking--what a perfect homeschool field trip, both for a single family or for a group.  For some reason, I hadn't gotten around to doing it in years past!  I took my older son, Bee, yesterday.  We picked 2 pounds of strawberries, and I made 18 cups of freezer jam from them.  I hope my family likes the jam!  I'd love to make more and have our own homemade jam year round.  I used Splenda, since my family watches our sugar intake (I'm probably prediabetic.)  I love the freezer jam. 

My boys are pretty familiar with the life cycle of plants.  They have planted many a seed and harvested many a vegetable, but it's always good to get out and see things growing.  I did talk with my son about how the strawberries in grocery stores are shipped 3000 miles from California, even though we have strawberries growing right here. 

A fun and educational experience.  I love anything that gets my indoor boy outside.  The same farm offers peaches each year, and they also sell seasonal vegetables.  I am going to shop there more now that my boys are a little older and easier to cart around.