Author: bcmuslimhomeschool
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Moth Life Cycle
The immense knowledge that nature offers is often underestimated. The Life Cycle of Moth: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (in cocoon), adult moth. Shown in picture is White-Marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma). Touching the caterpillar can cause rash, so precaution advised.
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Planting Seeds is Always Fun!
We have fun planting seeds and watching them sprout, even if it involves getting out hands dirty! There are many things to learn: Percentages: What percent of the seeds sprouted? Phototropism: Plants growing towards the window when indoors. What happens if: we put it in dark? give too much water? too little water?
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Rubik’s Cube for patience and focus
Recently I realized that this classical toy is good for focus and patience practice. There is a lot of algorithms involved, so it teaches math as well.
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Early years Maths
In the early years these are just toys. But these can be fun introduction into mathematics. The shapes toys are good for constructing and deconstructing shapes, making patterns, counting. Popsicle sticks are used for so many things like making bridges, using it as stirrer, it can be used for counting. Tower of hanoi can be…
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Journals
Journals are a great way to encourage kids to write consistently. I tell them to put the dates every time, that way I have an idea how regular they are. In the early years, they mostly draw pictures. It gets them into the habit of writing daily. They like buying fancy journals! Most of the…
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Visualizing 3-D concepts
Books can have 2-D drawings of 3-D shapes. View-through geometric solids helps to understand what the 3-D shapes are really like. Building the prisms and pyramids can be done with simple things like clay and tooth picks. Magnetic sticks and balls toys can be used as well. Match link cubes can be used to build…
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Books- Maths, English, Science, Arts, Mental Health
Sadly, we bought books that weren’t used. I felt ‘not-the-best’ for spending money, time on researching which books to buy, and the books collected dust. The kids ended up to being disinterested, and I couldn’t coax them into doing it! Some books weren’t teaching materials. Some had weird things, like using cartoon to teach science?!…
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Tangram
Engaging, encourages critical thinking, lots of screen free time, no mess, no sound, suitable for both younger and older kids. I’ve even found myself playing a few puzzles!
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Time & Routine
Maintaining routine and finishing works on time has always been a challenge. These tools are helpful. Clock faces with movable hands to write down when tasks should get done. Hour glasses, timers and stop watches to ensure that the works are done in the given time frame.
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Useful Math Toys
Math link cubes are great for early counting, building, and exploring fractions. Base-10 blocks help children visualize place value—from ones to thousands. Paper clips in different sizes are simple yet effective for estimating and comparing lengths, weights. These hands-on tools make abstract math concepts more concrete and engaging for young learners.