Science Share Night

Xander participated in his school's Science Share Night last night. Erik supervised and helped with his project researching extinction, especially what happened to the dinosaurs. They went to the history museum together, talked to a paleontologist there, read books, built a diorama, and found out which species are endangered in our area. I'll post pictures below. It was so refreshing to see the number of kindergartners and first-graders participating. This wasn't a prizes-awarded type of night; it was just what it is called: a night for everyone to share science investigations they had made.

Xander was shy about going to Science Share Night. When he learned he would have to talk to people about his project, he didn't think he could do it. Erik kept talking to him about it until he decided he could go. (This was over a period of weeks.) On the night itself, Xander went up to another student next to her project and listened to her explain it. After that, he felt confident. I watched him reel in a parent who was walking away to get him to his own project, explain that it was about extinction, show him the print-outs of current local endangered species, and answer this kind man's questions. I knew Xander had social skills beyond mine (he often performs introductions before I do), but I was impressed beyond measure.

The principal also came to the Science Share Night and asked each student, in turn, about his or her project.

Many teachers were there, including Xander's teacher. She had live snails to show. Nick was fascinated! He got to look down on them with a large magnifying glass. Xander's teacher is a very interested and inspiring teacher when it comes to biology and live creatures. She's probably inspiring on other subjects, too, considering how much Xander has learned this year. A couple of weeks ago as Nick and I visited for lunch and recess, I became really impressed with her handling of caterpillars at recess, using the moment to teach her students and protect the caterpillar's life, all while behaving as if it was a real treat to have found the caterpillar to observe. At almost the same time, another kindergarten teacher across the playground was yelling at kids to get away from the tree and stop touching the caterpillars over there.


Warning: the next paragraph has to do with a child's "creative" food mixing. Do not read if you do not want your stomach tested.

Nick has made up his very own recipe. He asked for oatmeal, which I proceeded to cook. He wanted honey on it, so I drizzled some on. I asked if he wanted strawberry slices on top, and he said yes. Then he asked for peanut butter. Okay. So his spoon filled with peanut butter was placed on top. Then he wanted some milk on top. Great. Then the oatmeal was too hot and burned his poor little mouth. I offered some chocolate milk to cool it off. Then he wanted the chocolate milk poured over his oatmeal... So we have made a creation: Peanut-Butter-Honey-Strawberry Oatmeal a la Chocolate Milk. It is being eaten, believe it or not. I guess it's not as "creative" as some of Xander's recipes. However, we will be changing Nick's entire outfit after this meal. (This whole process was not very Babywise, I realize.)

Young Scientist and his diorama

Observing snails - Nick could hardly be dragged away from this activity

Lego Robotics club!!!!! Xander will have to wait until he is 8 or 9 for this.