Mohr Adventures in World Schooling

Ice Cream in a Bag This science minute will take longer than a minute, but you end up with some sweet rewards.  You only need 7 things:  Half and Half - Whole milk will make a less creamy ice cream.  Mixing whole milk and cream can make a creamier ice cream.  Half and half is the easiest blend, but feel free to experiment to find the texture you like. Vanilla extract Sugar Salt - You can use any salt you have around the house, but the chunkier salts are easier to keep out of the ice cream. Ice Two sizes of high quality plastic bags like Ziploc - You want a good seal, especially on the smaller bag to help keep the salt water from getting into the ice cream mix. Inside the smaller bag, pour 1 cup of half and half, 1 Tablespoon sugar and 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract.  As you seal the smaller bag, squeeze the air out.  Fill the larger bag half way with ice and add about 1/4 C of salt to the ice.  Put the smaller bag inside the larger bag and then top i...

How to make your own "Milky" Way Galaxy. Pour some milk in a shallow bowl or saucer.  This works best with any milk other than non-fat.  Add a few drops of liquid water color or liquid food coloring.  Use a toothpick to move the color about as you wish.  The real fun happens when you add a drop or two of liquid dish soap, or put soap on the end of your toothpick.  The fat in the milk is repelled by the soap, so you should get some fun movement in your liquid, swirling about like a galaxy.

I love board games.  As a kid, I often set up board games to play by myself and I still do this sometimes today.  But now that I have kids, I can share games with them.  And board games are great for teaching so many different skills.  For those that I tired of Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders, I highly recommend games by Peaceable Kingdom.  We have a few. Hoot Owl Hoot This game is designed for ages 4 and up and for 2-4 players.  It is a nice, short, cooperative game.  I love cooperative games in general, but its great for younger players to encourage teamwork.  The goal of the game is to move all the owls (you can choose the challenge level, but my kids love all 6) from the start into the nest before the sun rises.  Players are allowed to talk and collaborate to create strategies.  Each player will have three cards.  They can choose whichever card they would like to play, unless they drew a sun card, in which case they have to...