While we were there we did our Rock and Mineral Unit Study. We all give it 2 THUMBS UP, 5 STARS and what ever other kind of excellent rating you can give! We plan to continue it a little more and examine some of the rocks here to compare with the 100 rocks they collected in North Carolina. We are definitely getting another kit from Sam's Science Adventures.

Warm, sunny days are on the way!  What a perfect time to get outside and study God's wonderous creation.  From rocks and minerals to birds and butterflies...there is so much to learn and enjoy.

Digging for Rocks will have everyone in the family looking for rocks and trying to identify them with the mineral testing kit and field guide! 

We have some great Springtime specials on our butterfly and insect treasure boxes combined with InsectLore live habitats!  They are ideal for the Spring and Summer months!  Check out the savings.... 

Have you recently enjoyed "March of the Penguins" or planning to rent it?

Check out our Discovering Penguins and Exploring Penguins adventures!

Each kit covers penguins and Antarctica.  Several hands-on experiments will help your children understand the God's unique design for these amazing birds.  A  thermometer craft provides plenty of practice reading temperatures.  Plus, a few fun crafts make this not only educational, but fun!

In addition to these activities, "Discovering Penguins" for grades 3rd-6th explores Antarctica and glaciers.  Study the formation of glaciers and different types of ice. 

Only 14.95 for either kit!

Win a $100 shopping spree from Treasure Box Press and Sam's Science Adventures by simply completing this survey for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine...it's that simple!

http://www.theoldhomeschoolhouse.com/

Yesterday we found these two "insect" clues in our yard.  We have been working on a tree unit study, in combination with my daugher's love for anything bug related. 

In our December newsletter we printed information on finding insects in winter, along with a "what to look for " checklist for certain insects.  So, we headed outside yesterday and found what you see pictured below. 

The object on the brown leaf is most likely a gall...a growth that results on a leaf when an insect larva hunkers down for the winter.  The object on the green leaf looks like a cocoon of sorts.   We're hoping it is a protective covering for some insects that will emerge come warmer weather.

We've put them in the bug barn to see anything emerges by spring! 

Stop by our site and check our insect unit study and InsectLore live insect kits!

~Michelle

My 4 yo DD has been fascinated with "evergreens" ever since the Christmas tree lots started springing up (ohhh, about October 15th!).  When the trees arrived on the lots, she was curious to know why these trees didn't lose their needles.  

Since we were studying ancient Egypt and papermaking, we combined her interest with our history to form a unit on trees.

One part both of the children enjoyed was finding out what products are made from different parts of the trees.

This website provides some great information on "Goods from the Woods"

http://www.ncforestry.org/docs/Products/goods.htm

If your DH is like our DHs,  you have a few of the gadgets (or have had in your house at one time or another) mentioned in the article listed below.

I remember the first Handycam we had...it was the size of a professional movie camera and weighed a ton...who wanted to cart that around while hiking in Mesa Verde...but we did it! 

Or how about the Land Camera?  I remember taking photos of my parents 25th wedding anniversary...Dad in his leisure suit...we watched as the photo popped out the front of the camera and developed in front of our eyes!

So, put on those leg warmers and Reebok high top aerobic shoes...and take a stroll down ...memor...I mean gadget?  lane...

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,123950,pg,2,00.asp

If you don't receive our online newsletter..please check out some of the past lessons we have included in our monthly e-mailing.

www.treasureboxpress.com/online.html

We are thrilled!  Toy Directory Monthly, a trade journal for the wholesale toy market, recently gave our Sam's Science Adventure: Investigating Pond Life, to 5 homeschool families for review, along with other popular science kits. 

Here's a snippet from the article:

"Five homeschooling moms in North Carolina and their nine tween daughters evaluated six toys for TDmonthly Magazine. Whereas Respond! by Jax Ltd. (ToyShow) was tops for pure playability, Treasure Box Press’s Pond Investigation Kit got the highest marks for being both fun and educational...."

We were compared with the other kits and rated on several criteria...we came in #1...here's a link to the chart and the article!

http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/article.asp?id=1674

http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/article.asp?id=1673

Check out our website.....www.treasureboxpress.com

Also, if there is a homeschool retailer in your area, let them know you'd like them to stock Sam's Science Adventures!

Thank you!!

Merry Christmas!  Here is our December newsletter free lesson - something to do during the Christmas 'break'.