April Antics Homeschool Update, Part 1: Math, Nature Study and Science

April was a wonderful month here in the Hudson Valley. It took a while for the nights to stay warm, but Spring has definitely sprung. I am really impressed by my son's work ethic this year. Last year, spring fever was a major challenge for him. This year he's much more excited about learning. He is such a fun kid to be around.

Here's a bit of what we were up to in April, in math, science and nature study:

• We took a Virtual Field Trip to Mars with NASA (a webinar).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Lots of science via TED Talks, The Happy Scientist, World Science University (we are doing a class on Eintstein and Relativity together).
  
  
• Math on Khan Academy, and through videos by Vi Hart and the Museum of Mathematics, and math journaling (Yay!)
  
  
• Mikro did the Hour of Code program and is now taking a 25 hour online course called Introduction to Computer Science through Code.org.
  
  
• We went to a meeting to coordinate article topics for the next issue of our homeschool group newletter, which will be focused on science. Mikro is working on several articles, including developing a set of questions for an interview he is hoping to be to do with someone he greatly admires. We are crossing our fingers that one of our homeschooling colleagues can arrange access for him. Even if it doesn't happen, he learned a lot in doing the prep work.
  
  
• We saw the new Pterosaur exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History on its opening weekend.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We went to the preview for the Space History Auction at Bonham's.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We enjoyed a wonderful program on Plants Through Time at Wave Hill, and also learned about Mark Twain's time there and toured the magnificent grounds. This was a pretty good example of what I love about homeschooling: engaging, hands on program, mixed age group, old friends and new, and the freedom to be outside learning on an incredibly beautiful day.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We planted some veggies.
  
  
  
  
• We found a mantid ootheca, which we are watching in hopes we will see it hatch.
  
  
  
  
• Nature Detectives at the New York Public Library's Jefferson Market branch.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We spent plenty of time exploring our local parks, bird watching, walking the trails, and just enjoying our beautiful river. So far, it's been a great spring season for us!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We looked at natural objects under our pocket microscopes.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We looked at the stars and the planets.