This week the home-education group enjoyed a number of slightly messy science and art based activities - thank goodness there was a mop!
We started the session off with a science experiment. I wanted to show the children how to create a simple PH indicator to test the acidity of various solutions. Before the meet-up I boiled a red cabbage to release the purple pigment molecules which are called flavin (anthocyanins) and then strained the purple water into an old, clean plastic drinks bottle. It is possible to determine the PH of a solution based on what colour it turns the indicator.
I gave each child a clear plastic cup and asked them to pour in about 100ml of the liquid. They were then asked to choose a material to test from a choice of lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, ant-acid tablets, cream of tartar and flavoured water. Once this had been very amicably decided they prepared a sample of their chosen substance in a small beaker. We went around the table and watched as each child added their test material to the indicator. Each child smiled excitedly as their indicator changed colour. I explained that acidic substances would turn the indicator red, neutral substances would keep the indicator a purple colour and base substances would turn the indicator a yellowish green. The children went back to the experiment on several occasions as they curiously tested other materials most of which came from their packed lunches.
This is a very simple experiment which can easily be recreated at home. It can be differentiated for various aged children as younger ones can enjoy making magic potions as you introduce simple scientific vocabulary and ideas to them and older children can use it to explore the PH scale and chemistry. You can also make PH test stips by cutting pieces of filter paper, soaking them in the red cabbage indicator juice for an hour and then hanging the strips to dry. These can be used to find out the PH level of solutions.
I took along our home-made water wheel this week. I had intended to discuss hydro-power but the older kids were busy either with the experiment or playing chess so I just showed the young ones how to make it work by filling the bottle and then releasing the stream of water into the wheel to make it turn.
I also provided some clay. I asked the young ones to drop a piece in the water and tell me if it floated or sank. I then challenged them to make little clay boats to make the same amount of clay float. They had lots of fun and one child did briefly manage to make a flat piece of clay float but a bowl of water and a lump of clay turned out to be a very entertaining play activity. My youngest son and his friends spent a long time just messing with the water wheel ,the clay and the water - they played shirts off in the end and I caught my son smearing his torso with clay like a tribesman. They had a great time.
Meanwhile, I got out the paints and asked if the children would like to help me make a collage. I suggested that the end result would be a magical forest tree but that the first stage was to create a beautiful and colourful painting using colours which reminded them of nature. We briefly discussed colour mixing and how to make shades of brown. They used sponges, brushes and sticks to paint and the result is wonderful. Next week we will begin adding natural materials to the background and eventually we should have a spectacular tree to showcase the fabulous artistic skills of the children who attend the group. I am very proud of their creation as I hope are they.
After a surprisingly easy tidy up (I think the amount of water already on the floor made it very easy to clean) we headed to the play area. My boys bought ice-creams from the ice-cream man - one of the benefits of meeting up in the park. They played for over an hour. I was roped in as the fairy mummy who had to save the boys on the ship from pirates and the fairies from sharks. It certainly keeps you feeling young dancing about with little children and I received the greatest compiment from my eldest son. When I apologised for possibly embarrassing him as I flounced by pretending to be a fairy he replied ' nah, it's pretty cool that you play mum' - that's the best compliment I could ever get I think.
He had a lovely day with his friends talking about battle games, playing chess and finally chatting with his dearest friend in the park.
It was another good day in the park and I want to thank all the children for being so enthusiastic and fun and also the parents for making the effort to come along. My boys went to bed with big smiles on their faces after having a pretty perfect afternoon which makes it so incredibly worthwhile for me. I hope everyone else had fun too.
Prestwich Home-Education Group will continue to meet-up throughout the summer holidays. If anyone is considering the home-ed path for their children they are welcome to pop along to chat to some of the other parents, see what we get up to and find out more about the thriving Manchester home-education community, please just email me or comment for details.
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