Dec. 19, 2009 - Falling Water Drops

Now, here’s something amazing that my husband found on the blog “The Doctor is In.”  You can see a 2000-frames-per-second video of what happens to a water drop when it lands on a water surface, and it’s fascinating.  

You might be content with just watching the drops, but if you wish to understand what the researchers are saying, the following simplified background information might help.

Water is composed of molecules that like to stay close to each other.  That property causes both the cohesion (the stick-together-ness) of water and its surface tension (how the surface molecules of water cling to each other so much that some very light objects, such as water bugs, don’t break through the surface). 

I’ve spent many happy hours studying these properties of water, but rarely have I seen such an astounding demonstration of them. 

Do take the time to watch the amazing video, and then remember that it's raining billions of raindrops every day throughout the world, and each time these tiny drops land on a puddle, lake, river, sea, or ocean, they dance!

Soli Deo Gloria.

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Dec. 19, 2009 - Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers ~ Decemer 19 ,2009

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Dec. 19, 2009 - Miss you guys!

I have to say that I miss you guys on HSB!

Blogging at Blogger is definitely easier (wayyyyyy easier), however, I don't really know anyone (except Joyce Marie) and it seems a little impersonal. 

When I blog, I only hope someone will read it, but even when they do, who are they?

I miss this wonderful community of homeschoolers.  It's nice and safe here!

I'm coming back often and reading blogs, so please visit me!!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Love,
Debbie

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December 19, 2009 - When Companies Have Their Priorities Straight: Papa John's

If you live in Washington, you would have heard this news story.  Even if you don't live in Washington, chances are you heard of this tragedy anyway.

On November 29th, four police officers were gunned down while sitting in a coffee shop.  Three of the four officers were married and all were parents.  A massive search for the gunman ensued and the suspect was shot and killed. 

Some of the Papa John's Pizza restaurants in Washington state decided to donate 100% of their sales for two days to the officer's families.  Think about that....100% of sales...ALL PROCEEDS, NOT JUST PROFITS... from 42 restaurants!

Thanks to water cooler gossip, and our modern day forms of communication (email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), word about this fundraiser spread like wildfire.  Papa John's franchise owners had no idea how successful their effort would become.  They estimated that they might be up to four times busier than normal, but the reality was more like 10 to 12 times!  They also estimated that they might raise about $20,000.  I have not been able to find information on the results, but I am certain it's much higher than that.

Wait time for pizza stretched into over an hour.  Some places ran out of pizza dough.  Oregon state employees drove up to help out and bring supplies.  Customers even helped assemble pizza boxes.   Many of the stores had to stop answering their phones.  Reports were that many of the restaurants got more orders in eight hours than they would get in a whole week.  But, instead of crumbling under the pressure, they did the best they could and for those who could not place an order, they asked customers to purchase gift cards and all those proceeds would go to the families.

I appreciate that these owners took any idea of sales and profit out of the picture and focused on helping out the devestated families.  I appreciate the people of Washington state who helped to spread the word, purchase pizzas, and practice patience while Papa John's tried to accommodate all to the best of their abilities.  I appreciate that this effort was made immediately, without much deliberation on the financial ramification.

I personally have never eaten at Papa John's, but I will now.  The owners of these 42 restaurants demonstrated  integrity, strong character, and honor;  attributes seemingly scarce in today's society.  Having worked in the food service industry, my heart goes out to all the workers who really went above and beyond to support their restaurant's vision.  I hope they all were able to rest well after those two days and I hope Santa leaves a little something extra in their stocking this Christmas :)

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Dec. 18, 2009 - Featured Blogger ~ TOSAffiliatesCorner

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Dec. 18, 2009 - Special Words for Special Needs ~ A Beautiful Christmas Project

Merry Christmas (very soon)!!  It's time to talk about Christmas!

How do you run your homeschooling around Christmas? The season has plenty to do, but my kids demand structure. This time of year I tend to turn to my Christmas unit study. The art time in the afternoon will get turned into present making time or ornament making time. Though being Christmas time I search for more meaning in our days.

This time of year I also try to fit in outside service projects. In talking with a homeschooling mom recently she shared how they use this season to help train their children in service to others and keep it Jesus focused.

The day after Thanksgiving she and her family settle on a family that is in great need. They each give part of their Christmas gifts to feed and care for this family. Then a week before Christmas they drop this package off at the needy family's home.

You may say well there are groups out there that do that. Yes, there are. I would argue though that it is our duty as Christians to help others and what better way than just a simple exchange in love and covered in prayer. You show very clearly to your children that it IS better to give than to receive.

Thank you my friend for sharing that with me! 

Think of a way you can share the love of Christ with others. What does your family do at Christmas to make Christ an active, real part?

I pray blessings to you and may your Christmas time be productive for the Lord!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Heather is also dealing with personal health difficulties. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's page at  www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling.

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Dec. 18, 2009 - Homeschool Crew Review: The Tortoise and the Hare by Maestro Classics

Our family eagerly anticipated getting The Tortoise and the Hare by Maestro Classics  for the Homeschool Review Crew.   We all love both classical music and Aesop’s fables, so this review promised to be fun. 

When, finally, the package arrived, we sat down to listen to it immediately.  Having expected a simple fable set to well-known classical music, I was surprised.  The music was composed especially for this creative modernization of the fable, and the CD includes a lot more than just a story set to music.  The narrator, Yadu, took my breath away as he led us into the world of "The Tortoise and the Hare."  

The hare, with his million dollar legs, laughs off the idea that “Slow and steady wins the race,” saying that concept went out years ago.  He bounds through the story accompanied by his own giddy music while the slow, steady tortoise (the contrabassoon) plods on and on.  While the hare is enjoying French onion soup and red wine and then the inevitable nap, the tortoise trudges steadfastly on, counting each step, “One.  Two. Three. Four.”  He’s such a lovable character and really deserves to win the marathon.  Littlest Miss was excited for him and so gleeful when he finally did win!

When the race is over, Bonnie Ward Simon, who wrote the story, talks about Aesop’s fables.  Then the Pretzel Vendor of Paris (who sets up shop at the marathon) gets to sing his song again.  Finally Stephen Simon, the composer and conductor, explains the music he wrote for this CD.  After all this background information, the story is replayed so listeners can recognize all the things they just learned.  We understood and noticed a lot more about the music after Maestro Simon’s explanation.  Finally, the music to "The Pretzel Vendor of Paris' is played again so listeners can sing it on their own, using the words in the accompanying booklet.  The tune is quite complicated, and we couldn’t sing along easily…an opportunity for learning, I guess.

The award-winning Stories in Music^TM Series, of which this CD is the latest, has three goals

• to expand musical horizons,
• to develop listening skills
• to encourage parents and children to listen to music together

With this CD, I think they accomplish these aims, and more.  They expose children to the kind of music that stimulates brain development, teach them about orchestras and music in a tiny accompanying booklet, and introduce them to fables as well.

I wouldn’t consider "The Tortoise and the Hare" a relaxing CD, as it mixes too many music styles; it is really meant to be listened to rather than used as background music.  That, I suppose, is consistent with the purpose of the series.  Some of my children really enjoyed the CD; others didn’t like the informative sections, but wanted only the story and music.  Go figure!

The Tortoise and the Hare is normally available for $16.98 US.  For a triple treat you can buy three CD’s of the Stories in Music^TM Series (8 titles are available) for $45 US.   

For more parents’ reviews of "The Tortoise and the Hare," please visit the Homeschool Crew blog.

Policies

Disclosure Policy:   As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received The Tortoise and the Hare CD.

Dial-Up Friendly Policy:  For the sake of my dial-up readers, this blog avoids visuals. 

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Dec. 17, 2009 - Why is it that.....

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Dec. 17, 2009 - Communication Corner ~ Countdown To Christmas!

I'm having a video countdown to Christmas that started on December 15th.  Each day I'm uploading an inspirational or comedic video that shares the spirit of Christmas with my readers.  Check it out each day on Communication FUNdamentals!

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Dec. 17, 2009 - Crafty Saturn

We picked the best year for studying astronomy with the boys.  Being the Year of Astronomy there have been lots of space related presentations and special events.  We've tried to get to as many as possible.  This will most likely be the last one of the year for us...possibly...but you never can tell .

Today we went to a presentation about Saturn at the library.  Unlike the Jupiter presentation we attended, this one was aimed at children. 

Personally I found the adult presentation more suited to the level of astronomy that we've been reading about with the boys.  That's not to say that the boys are more talented than the children at the presentation, but that the boys' have had the opportunity to delve deeply into astronomy for a whole year while our presenter only had a short time to spark an interest in space with children who may not know much about the topic at all. 

While the adult presentations may be over the heads of the kids at times at least they have the opportunity to hear new information that will lead them to ask questions and learn more.  A children's presentation may be too simplistic for those who have studied a topic in depth, although the kiddie crafts are always cute and fun.  So that's a little something to consider when choosing activities to participate in.

Despite the mis-matched presentation level for our boys, our presenter was fantastic and kept her audience in the palm of her hand with her enthusiasm and total fascination with space. 

I marveled at her ability to recall all the numbers related to space.  The kids could ask her the distance from this to that or how many stars there are in our galaxy and the numbers just flowed, seemingly without a second thought, right off her tongue.  Wow!  Me?  I could never remember all those numbers.  I even have to have my own mobile number written on a piece of paper!!! 

After the talk the children had the opportunity to make their very own Saturn.  You glued two old cds back to back and then glued one half of a cut styrofoam ball to each side and voila...Saturn...

well after you add some paint and glitter of course...which is the really fun part. 

At the end the children were videoed with their Saturn creations saying a short phrase in unison to include in a dvd that Nasa is making.  Children from around the world have been videod doing their own space activities and we got to be the English speaking section of the dvd.  How cool is that! 

And last but not least, a closer  look at our astronomical creations - Saturn 1 and Saturn 2. 

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