Projects are the preferred teaching and learning methods in our Homeschool CoOp. They are the things that are hardest to do for a few kids at home. It is easier to make the preparations one time for a group. In Science, the class simulated making clouds. The cotton ball "cloud" was filled up with water by using a dropper until it was so full that it had no choice but to "rain". Each student was able to count the drops it took to saturate his or her cotton ball. The kids recorded the numbers and then averaged the result.
In Religion class on the same day, the kids made a Crown of Thorns using rolled up, braided clay.
Toothpicks were inserted into the crown to simulate the Thorns of Jesus' Crown. The idea is that each time the child does something positive, he or she can remove a toothpick.
For some reason, that never happens at our house! Nevertheless, the Crown makes for a nice centerpiece during this holy season of Lent reminding us of the cruel and painful sufferings of our Lord, for our sake.
