Tuesday, August 27, 2013

What are you doing?

Roof tiles fell and shattered to the floor. Lightning brooded in the plume of Mt. Vesuvius. And people remaining in Pompeii on August 24, 79 AD, fled as far as they could before the pyroclastic flows and ashfall finalized the fate of the Roman city. It was no better in Herculaneum and several other small towns near the base of the volcano. Museum Victoria in Australia provides a fabulous recreation of the experience of this natural disaster. Both Joey and Ezra were amazed by the visual effects. We all ducked when the pyroclastic flows proceeded on the screen!

Joey and Ezra pouring vinegar into the volcano.
Joey's first few weeks of homeschooling have included learning about volcanoes. He loves science and seeks for its inclusion in every day of the school week. As I mentioned in the previous post, A priceless picture, we investigated how pressure and heat are important to a volcanic eruption. Joey also got to simulate his own volcanic eruptions, from stratovolcanoes to shield volcanoes, via Discovery Kids' Volcano Explorer. And, smiles erupted as much as vinegar and baking soda in our paper mache volcano, complete with their model dinosaur toys.

In addition to how a volcano erupts, Joey was also curious as to where volcanoes are found. A globe, atlas, and maps were vital in showing Joey the location of The Ring of Fire, Italy, Indonesia, as well as myriad other site names associated with volcanoes. We read "Volcanoes" by Franklyn Mansfield Branley (1985), watched "Fire & Ice: Hawaii & Alaska" made by Adventures in America's Western Parks series, and perused geography books for pictures of volcanoes. And, for volcanoes associated with Virginia, I sifted through a website with tons of information, especially on Mole Hill in Rockingham County and Trimble Knob in Highland County. We discovered that the columnar basalt we always visit near Limberlost Trail in Shenandoah National Park are from ancient volcanic activity in the Blue Ridge Mountains (myriad other trails also provide glimpses at volcanic rock). It's always great when the boys can have a tangible experience related to their learning - so a hike was a must!

To round out Joey's first project exploration, we investigated the volcanic eruptions of Krakatau and Anak Krakatau. Again, Joey got to see where in Indonesia the volcanoes are (or in Krakatau's case, was) located, learn how other natural disasters (like earthquakes, tsunamis, etc) are often associated with volcanic eruptions (especially when they're really powerful and near water), and - throughout the entire few weeks - has applied terminology relevant to volcanoes (like lava, magma, crater, vent, et cetera). During play time, Joey took a break to draw in one of (actually my) journals.

"What are you doing?" I asked, a bit bewildered at his lines at first.

"Oh, I'm drawing Vesuvius about to erupt." Joey replied nonchalantly. 

"See, here's a theater with lots of seating. And, here's a house." Joey pointed out the buildings sprawled about the base of a volcano looming in the background.

"Oh, and here's the eruption!" Joey used his pen in powerful strokes to show the violent upheaval that would have resulted from a volcanic eruption.

As Joey's mother and his homeschooling teacher, it's extraordinary to see him connect his learning to everyday life. I have an unprecedented position to mold his education in a way that not only enhances his interests, but also builds on his knowledge base by incorporating life experiences that connect his learning in ways sometimes not noticed by the often disjointed reality of public education. Our family can maximize on the learning and on the fun - together! How does your family have fun learning? Share in the comments section.



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