We had a very cool field trip experience recently with Worm Lady Recycles. The kids learned about composting and were able to try several of the steps hands on. They chopped produce into the compost with a hoe and added shredded paper. The kids then examined and handled black soldier fly larvae and were shown how they help break down the compost. They observed and learned how to care for worms and how their castings were collected and used for fertilizer. Taylor Lyons set up areas where the kids could get really involved in the process and was very informative and responsive with the kids. She’s open to hosting other groups and can be reached by email at wormladyrecycles@gmail.com.
My kids and I have been reading a lot of ancient history lately and decided to try our hand at making our own paint like what was used in cave art. We used spices like Cayenne and Tumeric and mixed them with enough water to make a paste. The kids painted their version of “cave art” onto watercolor paper. They had a lot of fun experimenting with the colors and texture. The paint can also be made with berries and soft rocks. There’s a really interesting book titled Vincent’s Starry Night and Other Stories by Michael Bird which has a great little chapter on cave art so I read that aloud while the kids painted.
On the topic of art, I want to share what we try to keep a consistent stock of to encourage creativity and exploration in that area. I believe in using quality art supplies from as young as 4 or 5 years old. Quality watercolor paint rather than the more cheaply made pan watercolors normally sold for children makes a real difference when children start drawing shapes and figures. We keep a good selection of acrylic paint and quality paint brushes on hand as well as staying stocked with watercolor paper and occasionally canvas. Drawing pencils of different hardness, artists’ charcoal, blending stumps, and good drawing pads are great to have on hand. My absolute favorite medium is watercolor and I like to take supplies on our hikes. I purchased a travel size pallet and a refillable watercolor brush especially for nature hikes. The small/mini sized drawing pads are perfect for these trips. I do still keep a supply of cheap brushes and dollar store watercolor paints for toddlers. Since these supplies can get very expensive, I’ve bought them slowly, a little at a time, and often as a family Christmas gift. I keep a stack of copy paper and a supply of crayons and pencils within reach at all times for everyone but the more expensive tools I keep in areas where I can supervise their use. I am no artist by any means but I love creating with the kids. We study different techniques together and use guides like step by step drawing books. There’s never any judgement, we’re all just creating and learning.
About Annette:
I’m a homeschool mom of two, ages 11 and 5. We’ve been homeschooling from the beginning for 6 years and our preferred method is unschooling with a Charlotte Mason twist. I love homeschooling for the freedom it gives us and because I enjoy learning alongside my kids. Our favorite ways to indulge our interests are by exploring the world around us, doing experiments and activities, talking to people who are passionate about their fields, and reading well written books. I believe so much in what we do, I’ve kept it through divorce and now working full time from home. It’s my hope to continue our journey until college or whatever next step my kids choose to take.
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