Project Time

This year the kids have been able to attend a homeschooling co-op where they were able to take two classes. Once class was art and the other was a world culture class. Last night they had their grand finale where the kids were to submit two projects for their World Culture Fair.

The art project was for them to create "Something from Nothing." Apparently we are dealing with little deities because the only person I know to ever accomplish that task was God. Needless to say, we came up with something. The task was to take something and turn it into something else.

I set some ground rules for my kids. It had to serve a purpose. I didn't want to work hard on a project that they would throw away next week. Here is what they came up with!!!

A wind chime made from kitchen gadgets!

I know, I know, Family Fun had this in their magazine this month - but truth be told, she had the idea first. I saw the magazine and tried to hide it from her so that she would come up with the ideas herself, but I didn't succeed - she was very excited when she saw their version. So yes, we stole some of their ideas from them. It really is neat though hanging on our deck!

Brice originally wanted to make a bug house out of a coffee can with windows and everything, but we couldn't figure out how to cut the openings without losing a finger. So we went with the bird feeder instead. It is hanging outside our kitchen window waiting for visitors.

The other project they had to do was a country study.

Madagascar

Some interesting facts we learned about Madagascar:
* It is the fourth largest island in the world.
* 75% of the animal species found on Madagascar are found nowhere else in the world.
(Apparently 25% are either good swimmers, flyers or hitchhikers.)

Azerbaijan

Interesting Fact:
* Azerbaijan means "Land of Fire" because it is very common for natural gas leaks to catch fire throughout the country. Apparently it is one of the leading causes of death - people caught in these fires that just start up out of "nowhere."

They did a great job! We learned a lot - everything from art to culture to how to manage our time better! (Yeah, we were finishing projects last minute).