Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks

The new year also brought a new school year for Travis (and Justin).  We have decided to hold off starting the next set of curriculum from our usual publisher, Heart of Dakota, and instead do a couple of unit studies.  Travis loves rocks and he received a lot of rock paraphernalia for Christmas, so our plan was to focus on ROCKS.

 

We have painted rocks, grown crystals, learned about the rock cycle and the different kinds of rocks, and we organized Travis' burgeoning rock collection.  But of course, Travis favorite activity has been pounding the rock blocks he got for Christmas.  They have crystals, geodes, and other assorted rocks in them that can be pounded out with a small (plastic) rock hammer.  Can you image how that would be his favorite activity?

 

 

 

His first find!

 

Travis even let Justin pound for about half a second!

Then Justin examined with the magnifying glass while Travis continued his search.

Then Justin got bored so he found Travis' bicycle helmet and tried it on for size.

Then we had to clean up the rocks with our special rock cleaning tool.  (An old toothbrush...)

 

Then we identified and sorted and put them on the special card included in the kit.

 

Travis also enjoyed all of the food experiments (or really just examples).  We made granite cookies with Fruity Pebbles cereal and marshmallows (think rice krispie treats with about a cup of added sugar).  Even Travis couldn't eat more than one!  And here is his sedimentary sandwich:  graham crackers, chocolate graham crackers, chunky peanut butter and jelly.  We also added some mini marshmallows for effect.  Also VERY sweet!

 

Travis had three blocks to pound so we spread it out over the month so he would have something fun to anticipate.  And by the last one there were lots of extra (empty) chunks of block for Justin to pound.  They create quite a dusty mess, but it was SO much fun!  And Alaina liked tootling around and watching/supervising.

 

We will finish our unit next week with a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science and their gem and mineral area.  It has been a really fun and interesting month.  And Travis has just soaked it right up!