Learning about cells

We loved exploring the different parts of a cell on this website we came across:

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/insideacell/

Experiments with skin - receptors and nerve endings Part 1

In this experiment mom used a piece of wire that had two points. We were blindfolded and had to tell mom if we could feel one or two points on the top of our hand. If the points were close together on the top of our hand we could only feel one point. Mom then moved the points wider and wider apart until we could feel both points. There are not many nerve receptors on the top of our hands and so when the points are close together, we can't feel both, it is only when they are moved further apart that another receptor can feel the point.

No matter how close the points are on our fingertips, we could always feel the two points, this is because there are much more receptors on our fingertips.
The top of our feet could also not feel two points until they were moved further apart. Not many receptors here either.

Experiments with skin - receptors and nerve endings Part 2

We were blindfolded while mom drew a dot on our foot. We had to take the pen and draw a dot exactly where mom drew hers.
There are not many receptors on the top of the foot, so look how far away our mark is from moms.
Our fingertips have the most nerve endings and receptors, so we managed to hit the mark exactly where mom had.
Our pen mark was right on top of the one mom made. We use our fingers to feel everything and discover the world around us, so they have so many receptors - we don't use the tops of our feet to feel things, and so they don't have many receptors.

Learning about the skin - Eden

This is my first drawing of a cross section - it is the skin, I had loads of fun drawing this.
My poster on the skin.

We love Ms Frizzle

We have quite a few of these books that cover many aspects of Science in a unique way, so it was quite nice to get hold of one on the human body, we are looking out for the dvd. It makes quite a nice change for the younger ones from all the reference books on the body, and Eden loves the imaginative side of it too.

Niamh reciting Psalm 8

We are really enjoying memorizing portions of the bible, even Jude is picking up parts of the verses - we have started learning chapters, or parts of chapters. This is Niamh reciting the whole of Psalm 8.

Jude learning about the body.

Since the girls are learning about the human body, I thought it would be a good idea for Jude and his friends to join in too.

Jude painting an full sized outline of himself - he is extremely careful in his painting and colouring in, very nice fine motor control Jude ;)
Ciara could not keep away from the paints for one second.
Our first lesson was the sense of taste, this is Jude most probably tasting very concentrated unsweetened coffee - it is bitter.