Open Education Textbooks

One of the groups I follow on social media often has posts about Open Textbooks available.  I finally took a look.  Here is an introductory, Canadian, Chemistry textbook.  Teachers who belong to the social media groups often cite this textbook for teachers looking for ‘scope and sequence’ resources.  In other words, which topics comprise a standard Chemistry class?  Here is an introductory, Canadian, Biology textbook.  What are Open Textbooks?  There’s a video on this site.  Are these textbooks reliable?  Is the information factual?  Here is a bit more information.  There is a webinar video on the right hand side of the web site from Dr. Ball, a Chemistry textbook author, titled ‘How Can a Great Chemistry Textbook Be Free?’ Treat Open Textbooks as another resource, much like Khan Academy.  Take a look.

Cat Coat Genetics

 Yes, I’m still amassing and organizing resources for Bio.  I like to use new resources.  One idea I’m mulling is Cat Coat Genetics.  Here is the intro worksheet I’m planning to use.  Here is a primer.  I had no idea cat genetics was so complicated.  My knowledge stopped with The Genetics of Calico Cats.  Here’s the rub; I’m not wild about cats—or horses for that matter, another popular genetics lesson.  I’ll have to do some research before I teach cat coat color genetics.  Not a bad thing.

Saving Sam

 The Biology Corner has an ice-breaker lesson called Saving Sam.  It is another candy lab and requires paper clips, plastic cups, gummy worms, and life-savers.  Kids work in pairs to determine how to get the life-savor trapped under the boat on to Sam, the gummy worm, without using their hands.  I like activities which make kids think—with candy!  The image below is from the Saving Sam lab.  No, I am not discussing the name, Sam, in light of the fact earthworms are hermaphroditic, as mentioned in the lab.  To me, it seems like an invitation to a political discussion about gender.  I happily invite our Lord into a discussion, but not politics.  Although when the kids us God as an answer, I always reply, ‘Absolutely.  However, how did God manifest himself?’

Chemistry Experiments at Home

 Last year, my Co-op Chemistry class met remotely.  The kids performed over 30 labs and activities at home with kits I made for them.  (Here are the contents of the kit. Here is the list of labs. Here  is a sample post describing a few of the labs.)  The kids did many of the labs from Apologia Chemistry, too.  I want the kids to do as many labs as possible.  Parents hesitate to do experiments over concerns for safety.  One source I used and adapted last year was Middle School Chemistry from ACS, particularly Chapter 6: Chemical Change.  Take a look at Chapter 6, Lesson 6.  This is a White Powder lab.  Read over the ACS instructions.  These chemistry lessons are written for Middle School teachers, many of whom do not have a background in Chemistry, just like many parents.  Look at the list of materials required to do Chapter 6 or all of the ACS Middle School Chemistry labs.  The majority of chemicals are household items, such as Cream of Tartar, Epsom salts, citric acid, and hydrogen peroxide.  The one chemical on the list which is NOT readily available at big box stores is copper II sulfate.  (Some hardware stores or Southern States stores might sell it as ‘blue stone’, an agricultural root killer.)  By all means follow the scripts in the lessons step by step with your child.  This is about doing as many chemistry experiments as possible—safely.

Lab-aids Molecules of Life Kit or Make Your Own Molecules

 I’m still pulling resources for Biology.  Years ago I invested in Molecules of Life kits from Lab-aids because I planned to teach Biology and Anatomy on a regular basis.   (The kit retails for $143.35.)  The biomolecule kits differ from Moly mod Organic kits.  I have those for Chemistry class.  If you want a single kit, consider molecule kits with flexible tube connectors, such as Maruzen kits.  Flexible models are easier to use to make carbohydrate, protein, or lipid structures.  Because of shipping bottlenecks few inexpensive models are available.  Go ahead and make molecules instead.  Here are the CPK Molecular Atoms Colors. (CPK are the three scientists, Corey, Pauling, and Kolton, who used color codes for their models.)  I have two sets of Lab-aid molecules.  One has oxygen as red and the other as blue.  Pick one chart and color atoms consistently.  Here and here are earlier  blog post with images of the kids using the models.  Here is a biomolecules worksheet.  My kids build each model, such as fructose, as they work through the activity in pairs.  I’ll post more pix when we come to this activity this Fall.

Inside the Cell

 My husband and I were cleaning out files this morning.  I ran across Inside the Cell booklets, which are now pdf files.  Certainly, there are other updated images.  I’ve used this booklet to introduce the cell, especially when kids are working on cell models and analogies.  I encourage the kids to use the descriptions of organelles and their functions for the analogy project, such as Cell City.  For example, the lysosome is like a garbage truck or recycling center.  Bookmark this link.

Cell Project Idea: Amusement Park Analogy

 This Fall, the Bio class will make animal and plant cell models. Cell models are a good way to become acquainted with the organelles, along with Coloring book pages.  (I bought 14 used copies for my class.)  The kids frequently struggle with the function of organelles.  Mitochondria produce ATP; as a result, muscle cells have loads of mitochondria. It’s key to understand the function of each organelle.  Enter analogies: Cell City, Cell School, or Amusement Park.  Here is a open-ended cell organelle project guide.  For home-schooled kids, a zoo or amusement park analogy sounds fun.  I’m going to give the kids the option to select the analogy which resonates with them.

Good Will Finds

 Good Will has a nice microscope set just listed.  Additionally, there is an eScience Physics kit, a Forensics kit, and a Britannica VR kit.  BTW I bid and bought this same kit from Good Will.  The images are fabulous and set up was a breeze.  Don’t forget to check the shipping!

Breed Brine Shrimp

 One of the projects this Fall in Biology is breeding brine shrimp.  First, I have never had any success breeding brine shrimp.  It may have something to do with my ability to follow directions or habit of delegating projects to students.  Let’s try again.  I have a kid who is setting up and running an early brine shrimp breeding project.  Carolina Biological suggests a 3.5% salt solution.  (Here are their instructions.). One o f my students, Artie, is testing tap water and iodized salt versus distilled water and sea salt.  He has well water and rain barrels at home he wants to test, too.  If they hatch they eat anything, even yeast.  I wouldn’t know because I couldn’t breed any brine shrimp.). Artie set up the brine shrimp to take home to monitor and try breeding them in rain water or well water.  Here are the first pix for Bio.  We won’t start class until after Labor Day.  Artie came by to check on his list.

Animal and Plant List

 My kids were assigned 100 species list as a summer assignment for Biology.  My kids are going to edit their lists before they create food webs.  The first task is to identify producers, consumers, detritivores, and decomposers.  Initially, the kids’ lists are dominated by plants and animals, especially animals.  I guide the kids by telling them to research the animals’ diets to expand their lists.  The lists have many mammals and few insects.  The next step is to cull any invasive species; here is a list of invasive species in Virginia, where we live.  Next, I instruct the kids to cull any species which is NOT native to Virginia, such as Cooper’s hawk, or a domesticated breed, such as a chicken or dog.  Why?  My focus is on the local ecosystem and its biodiversity.  I like to instruct with activities.  Once I teach the kids to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary species, the kids will need to revise the lists to include more plants, insects, and arachnids based on the animals’ respective diets.  By the time the kids create the food webs, they have a good understanding of the types of local, native species.

Will a Bowling Ball Float?

 Will a bowling ball float?  It depends.  Here is the lab or demo from Flinn.  Here is a bit more information.  Here is a blog post with a video.  I start this activity by asking kids if a bowling ball will float.  I am prepared with two or three different bowling balls.  Use bowling balls with different weights.  I asked a friend who bowled and watched for bowling balls at yard sales.  You may see if a friend will lend you one or two balls.

Have the bowling balls, a trash container, ice, and measuring tape ready.  You can substitute string to measure the circumference of the bowling ball.  Let the kids use a ruler to measure the string.  I have to walk the kids through the calculations.  What is density?  How does one measure the volume of a sphere?  What is the formula for the volume of a sphere?  How does one convert pounds to kilograms to grams?  Once we review the steps to determine the density of a bowling ball, the kids weigh their ball and determine its volume and density.  The kids predict whether or not the bowling ball will float.  Lastly we test it.  The colder the water, the closer the water’s density will be to 1.00 g/ mL.  I add ice.  Give this a try.

Parachute Cats

 I’m rounding the bend prepping for Bio this Fall.  I pulled out my Bio lesson plans and ran across a note, Parachute Cats.  This activity is widely used as a cautionary tale for unintended consequences of changes to an ecosystem.  I’m not happy to stop there.  Instead, I have a discussion about DDT and malaria.  Here is an article about using DDT to control malaria.  The article mentions DDT impregnated bed nets and indoor spraying.  I plan to mention mortality rates from malaria in Africa, the controversy of using DDT, and introduce sickle cells because the trait conveys some resistance to malaria.  Here is an article about malaria and the infection cycle.  Here is an article about sickle cell with theories how the trait conveys resistance to malaria.  I won’t settle for fatuous pronouncements about the use of DDT.

Plant Pigments

 Yes, I’m still planning for Bio this Fall.  I want some fresh ideas for the Plants unit.  Here is a standard plant pigment lab, Plant Pigment Chromatography, with traditional plant leaves: red coleus and spinach leaves.  (You may want to do this Paper Chromatography lab first.). Here is Leaf Observation and Printing.  You could buy a box of mixed greens for the lab and add Hammered Leaf Prints just for fun.  It would be fun to hammer leaves on to paper towel, index cards, and art paper to compare results.  It might be fun to add Leaf Art Rubbings.  There is more science to a rubbing because you can better observe the leaf’s properties.  Why add art?  My artistic students are much more engaged when I add art.  Now I need to think about how to add rubbings to my Brit Lit class.

Things you never knew you needed….

 Here is the latest installment of the Things you never knew you needed series: Magic Lantern Slides.  The slides at Good Will are scientific.  Are you familiar with these slides?  Here is a brief history from the Magic Lantern Society.  Boy am I tempted.

Let’s play Bingo!

What do you do when there is only five minutes left for class?  Bingo!  Here is Ecology Bingo, the first unit in Biology.  The key is to call out the definitions—not the answers.  I need to make a list of the terms and write out my definitions before class starts.  BTW use a blank bingo board and have the kids copy a list of terms from any lesson, such as cells.  Remind the kids NOT to write them in order or everyone will have Bingo simultaneously.  Ask me how I know.

Catalase Lab

 Like the Photosynthesis lab, this Catalase Lab with yeast spheres is a sophisticated lab. (Here is the post from Human Bio about the catalase lab.  Here are the instructions.). The lab materials, however are simple: yeast and hydrogen peroxide.  You also need plastic syringes, sodium alginate, calcium chloride, calcium acetate, or calcium lactate.  Here is an explanation of spherification, an example of molecular gastronomy.  I had a student trouble shoot the lab originally because Anna followed instructions much more closely than I do.  I think we tested calcium acetate, calcium chloride, and calcium lactate solutions then.  By ‘we’ I mean I pulled the chemicals and Anna did the tests.  Once you produce the yeast spheres you can test them with hydrogen peroxide.  

I’m trying to raise the game in Biology.  I’m still confronted over the quality of Co-op lab experiments regularly.  People have trouble accepting the idea you can perform quality experiments at home.  Imagine that?

Photosynthesis Lab with Spinach

 Originally, I started this blog to document labs for my home-school kids.  I needed evidence the kids were completing sophisticated labs.  The Photosynthesis Lab is a great example which uses household items: lamp, spinach leaves, hole punch, baking soda, and dish detergent.  You will need a plastic syringe.  You can use a  CFL bulb instead of an incandescent light bulb.  This type of lab requires patience.  Plan to watch several videos, and perform several trials.  When I do an unfamiliar lab like this one, I read over different versions and the questions.  Usually, I’ll give a lab like this to a kid who is miles ahead of his or her peers to test and troubleshoot.  I explain that the lab is new to me and I want the kid to test it first.  If the Spinach Photosynthesis lab is just to complicated, I can buy elodea at Pet Smart for this lab.  

Shop Back to School for Science

Start shopping deals for science labs.   For example, if you plan to build bee hummers, look for deals on eraser caps and rubber bands.  Are you planning to make catapults?  Buy the spoons when you shop at Dollar Tree.  Take some time now and select some labs.  Keep your eye on the Back to School sales.

Polar Bears on the Ice

 Yes, I’ve been trolling social media for Biology ideas.  I ran across Polar Bears Around the Ice Hole, an inquiry activity.  Here are explanatory slides, one author’s blog post, and these instructions.  The TPT Polar Bear activity is only $1.  Honestly, I seldom pay for lessons.  (I do buy cool lessons for VBS.)  I think Polar Bears will dovetail well with Ecology.

Summer Assignment: Biology

 My Biology Co-op class had a summer assignment due today.  The kids were instructed to remit lists of 100 local species and research their respective scientific names.  A few kids have sent in their lists.   I took screen shots of the lists so you’ll have an idea of how the kids approached the assignment.  A screenshot of the original assignment is below, too.  One goal is to add a bit of rigor to Bio. Take a look.

Science is Elementary

 My son, Fr. Josh, has a number of parishioners requesting help with science, especially at the elementary level.  Are you looking for a science series?  Try Apologia’s Young Explorers Series: Zoology 1, II, and III, Botany, Astronomy, Chemistry and Physics, and Human Anatomy.  There are workbooks for both younger and older elementary aged students.  The ‘Try-this!’ activities are fabulous.  Look at the samplers on the Apologia website.  We used the Harcourt Science Grade Six for Paul, a fifth-grader last year through Kolbe Academy.  Harcourt has more content and can be used for two years of science.  

I encourage elementary teachers to have an hour of fun science experiments on Friday afternoons.  See if a  parent can volunteer to help set up, supervise, and clean up.  Pick a theme and use materials you have on hand.  Plan on five or six short activities centered around a theme.  Below are themes and suggested activities with supplies needed.

Flight: Rotocopter (paper patterns and paper clips)

           Spinning Blimps   (paper)

          Alka-seltzer rockets (Alka-seltzer tablets and film canisters)

          Catapults (popsicle sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoons, and mini marshmallows)

         Airplane Templates         (paper templates)

Optics: Flipsticks (templates, tape, and pencils)

          CD Spinners: (CDs, bottle caps, markers, marbles, CD Spinner templates, and hot glue gun)

          Reflecting Rainbows   (CDs and flashlights)

          Bird in a Cage   (Construction paper, glue stick, and poster board)

          Hole in Your Hand (white paper and tape)

Sound: Palm Pipes (PVC pipe cut into various lengths) 

          Bee Hummer  (erasers, craft sticks, string, rubber bands, and index cards)

          Head Harp  (string or Secret Bells with  a hanger or spoon)

          Musical Glasses    (Water, glasses, and spoons)    

          Straw Flute (Drinking Straws and coffee stirrers)

One more group of ideas is Kitchen Science.  Have fun!

Human Anatomy on a Budget

I love teaching Human Anatomy, especially Young Explorers Human Anatomy.  Browse the TOC here in the textbook sample.  We Are Teachers has 26 Interactive Ways to Teach Anatomy.  Buy a plastic Halloween Skeleton.  The first lesson is to see if the skeleton is accurate and to label all the parts with sticky notes.  Kids can make loads of anatomy equipment: Stethoscopes, Working Heart Model, DIY Lung Model, (or this lung model), clay anatomy models, make brain hemisphere hats, Pasta Skeletons, print Mr. Skeleton on to card stock to label, and tape felt or colored construction paper organs to a disposable apron.    Start saving bottles and shop your house for straws and balloons!

Biology Labs on a Budget

Which biology labs can you do on a strict budget?  There are plenty of high quality labs: Diffusion (baggies, iodine, and cornstarch), Popsicle Sticks Genetics, Catalase lab, Five Biology Labs You Can Do with Household Items (or this UK version of five experiments), Paper Chromatography, and Learning Undefeated experiments.  Start shopping your house!

More Lab Equipment and Chemicals on a Budget

 I teach science to the local Co-op.  So I have a lot of basic equipment.  Do you need materials for one or two children taking science?  First shop your house: craft sticks, tea candles, q-tips, Alka-seltzer, cupcake liners, coffee filters, Borax, Epsom salts, table salt, corn syrup, straws, paper cups, magnets, etc—all lab equipment.  Browse Dollar Tree and Walmart for paint palette to use as a reaction plate.  Look for lab which use grocery store items, such as this DNA lab: rubbing alcohol, salt, meat tenderizer, split peas, and dish soap.  Another good lab is the Red Cabbage lab to test the pH of household chemicals: shampoo, vinegar, lemon juice, hand sanitizer, soda, etc or the the Gummy Bear Osmosis lab.  Pull the materials for several fun labs and make up a DIY Science kit as a birthday or Christmas kit.  Make it a challenge for your kids.  Show them this Apple Mummy lab.  Challenge your kids to find science experiments which use household materials you have on hand or might find at the grocery store.

Lab Equipment on a Budget

I’m a big proponent of lab based science.  Many home-school families balk at pricey lab equipment.  There are bargains, such as the Labpaq at Good Will online.  Be sure to shop your house for a-tips, craft sticks, cupcake liners, and coffee filters for lab.   Here is the original post about cheap lab equipment.  However the prices for many items have increased.  Below is an update of basic lab equipment for science.

Safety glasses $9.99 for 12 (Save the extras for a gift.  Add a pair of safety glasses with a nerf gun for a gift.)

Molecular Model Kit $12.50

Digital thermometer $4.98

Reaction Plates or paint palettes $3.99 for five

Digital scale $9.89

Graduated cylinders $5.99 or Beakers and cylinders $9.49

Hot plate $16.02

Test tube set $9.99

Disposable pipettes $3.99 for 50

Beakers  $2.24 for a 250 mL glass beaker

Carrying Capacity and Alaskan Brown Bears

One of the earliest modules we tackle in Biology is Ecology.  Boy is it hard to find material with a focus on ecological concepts without a heavy-handed political bent.  The National Park Service materials deliver.  Here is the lesson overview for teachers; here is the activity.  This activity focuses on brown bears, their ecology, diet, and food supply, basic concepts in Ecology.  The activity has some interesting questions, such as the one below.

‘  In recent years, bear viewing and bear photography have become the most popular activities for visitors to the park. How could the increased appeal of tourism and wild bear viewing affect the populations of bears over time?’

This is exactly the sort of activity I like: charismatic subject, thoughtful questions, and germane to instruction.

How to Raise Brine Shrimp

 I just had an idea for Biology: brine shrimp.  I subscribe to Chemmatters.  Last year, there was an article How to Raise Jellyfish.  I want more projects and rigor in Biology.  So I was considering simple, inexpensive projects when I thought about brine shrimp.  HST, naturally, has project instructions.  I plan to start the brine shrimp or sea monkeys in class.  The kids can use the hand-held microscope with the iPhone 4.  Here are instructions to create a model ecosystem.  I’ll take my cue from the kids to see how engaged they are by the brine shrimp.

Microscope Slide: Letter “e”

 The traditional first lesson with the microscope is with the letter “e”. (Here is a traditional letter “e” lab complete with labeling the microscope.)  Traditional labs are fine: they don’t resonate with kids.  I drag out a microscope to teach the names of the parts.  But my first lesson is with laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, and digital microscopes—the cheaper the better.  I bring our one dollar and five dollar bills with international paper currency.  Once I show the kids how to set up the digital microscopes with the computers and how to focus the microscopes, I turn let the kids explore, take screen shots, and get familiar with the digital microscopes.  Most of the cheap digital microscopes work with any android Chromebook, laptop, or android computer.  I bought a few different microscopes.  The Jiusion USB microscope works with most devices old and new—without downloading a driver.  Most computers recognize it as an external camera immediately.  Yes, I have several conventional microscopes; we found the digital microscopes easier to use.  The kids like taking a screen shot so they can take their time with the sketch.

Themes

Update: Know Your Money is a pdf with details about American currency.  Did you know the security thread glows different colors in different bills?  I’m planning to supply a UV flashlight to look at the thread.

In another life, the science department wanted students to do more writing.  I used Chemmatters’ articles and writing prompts with themes.  I used Ink as a theme with this Chemmatters issue.  The kids made ink using the recipe, discussed the pros and cons for tattoos, and wrote an essay explaining why or why not to get a tattoo.  Believe me, they wrote volumes!  Cash and this issue, The Secret Life of Gold  are good articles about money, another popular theme.  Look at bills under the microscope or magnifier with this HST project, Counterfeit Money Project or conduct an iodine-starch test on one dollar bills.  (Flinn has a worksheet with the lab and questions.). Try to have some foreign currency available to look at under the microscope—which is how I introduce the digital microscopes to the kids.  Fun, right?

TI 83/84 Graphing Calculators

 This Fall, my husband is teaching Algebra II and Personal Finance.  Algebra II in particular has loads of calculator exercises.  I plan to have a few for Biology, too. We’ll do some calculator exercises.  We lend out calculators to our students.  I just bought two more TI 83 graphing calculators from Good Will online to have on hand during classes.  I paid $29.97 with shipping for two TI 83 plus calculators.  My target price is under $15 each including shipping for calculators which work.  My target price for a TI 84 calculator is $30–which is why I only have three.  Good Will online has a number of listings.  Don’t forget to check the shipping and handling fees, which vary widely among Good Will stores.

Cell Membrane Bubble Lab

 One of the groups I belong to on social media mentioned the Cell Membrane Bubble Lab (and here) This is genius!  The first lab has a student worksheet.  The second lab is a bit more scripted and has some interesting extensions.  You could ask kids how a bubble is like the cell membrane instead.  Let them write a brief summary explaining the analogy.  I can’t wait to try this lab.

Do you plan to teach COVID 19?

 I’m on the fence whether to teach about COVID 19.  Every time someone mentions the virus, all of the controversy erupts.  I plan to talk to the kids this Fall and see what they think.  One aspect that is interesting is immune response for people vaccinated, those who have contracted the virus, and people who had the virus and received a vaccination.  I plan to teach about immune response.  Let me tell you, my class will keep the focus on research surrounding the immune response—NOT any politics regarding vaccinations.  Here are activities to teach about Covid from Serendip Studiios.  

Classroom Update

 Last spring we bought a new TV.  I hate to waste tech.  My husband, Rob, and I took the old TV downstairs and hooked it up is an HDMI cable to an old Chromebook.  We plan to broadcast slideshows on to the TV instead of using an LCD projector.  I like to project images or slides in Biology.  Take a look.

 

Cell Models

What do I recommend for Cell Models: clay.  Here is the post I made of Paul making cell models under duress.  Here are ideas for models. Use inexpensive play doh and household items: yarn, kidney beans, pipe cleaners, etc.  Here are recipes to make home-made clay.  I use tempera to tint the clay.  Why make models?  I have found that the kids retain the names and functions for the organelles when they make their own models.  Here is an instructional guide.  I insist the kids create a key for the model.

Another Candy Lab: Cell Models

 My kids make cell models in Biology.  I usually prohibit edible cell models because the kids use Jello for the cytoplasm, which oozes everywhere.  I ran across this Cake/Candy model and may allow edible models and just ban any gelatin.  I may even relent on gelatin if the kids make Knox Blocks.  Here are ideas for cell models.  See?  Jello.  Yuck.

Test Drive Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Biology

Apologia has free access to recorded online classes here.  You will have access for one year after you first access the lessons on Vimeo.  (Basic Vimeo is free.). The online classes coincide with Apologia’s third edition of Exploring Creation with Biology.  I bought the third edition last year.  Many of the topics and labs are the same.  However the third edition has more information.  Since it is free, try it!  The offer expires October 31st.

InquiryHub

 I belong to national Biology and Chemistry groups on social media. Just like you, I’m always looking for new ideas and evaluating trends.  The University of Colorado at Boulder produces Inquiry Hub, which uses story lines to teach.  I’ve used project based programs in the past.  I plan to try one or two units this Fall in my Biology class for Ecology.  I’ll post an evaluation when we complete a unit.  BTW I plan to use a few ecology lessons.  I’m wary of genetic or evolution lessons which too often conflict with my faith and moral values.  

Get a jump on Fall!

Right now, many of you have another month of summer before resuming lessons.  At our church is WV, we hosted a Science Camp after VBS.  Many of the home-school families used the camp to jump start Fall science classes.  Now is a good time to do labs.  I bet you took advantage of sales or bought used books earlier this summer.  Browse the labs and experiments and select a few.  Be sure to take notes and make observations.  Take loads of photos for your digital portfolio.  (Here is the digital portfolio we used for Paul’s second quarter fifth grade digital portfolio.) Fall can be crazy.  Lighten you load with some summer labs or experiments.

Science Kits

 Hey!  Are you staring down another month of summer and starting to panic?  Before you cave and try a science kit subscription, try used kits.  Good Will has Kiwi Crate kits available.  Often Good Will has MEL Chemistry kits or Steve Spangler kits, too.  Try eBay for Innovating Science kits or NEO Science kits.  Have your kids do an evaluation of the kit’s contents and write an evaluation.  Take loads of photos for your digital portfolio.  Want to save some money?  Let your kids search for kits and then find the instructions for the labs.  For example, rather than buy the Elephant’s Toothpaste lab, use Science Bob’s lab, Fantastic Foamy Fountain.  Let your kids do a cost comparison, too, as an instant economics lesson.