Mean Buttology

Once upon the time when Elliot was about to start Kindergarten in the midst of a pandemic I considered homeschooling him. I spent a week or so researching various curriculums and downloaded some free materials. Fast forward to this summer when I decided to try out the free marine biology course from The Good and the Beautiful (www.goodandbeautiful.com/free-downloads/marine-biology/). Claudia had done it with her girls during the year and I had been admiring all the crafts and worksheets on their walls. 

Marine Biology (or Mean Buttology as Annie called it) was a great hit! Elliot does really well with any kind of one on one attention. He was very diligent with his invertebrates book and proudly taped every experiment, craft, and worksheet to a section of the wall that he labeled "The Marine Biology Wall" with a brick patterned sign. The chair where we kept in progress work got labeled as well. He made a strip of paper to mark off the whole "Marine Biology Zone."

I failed to document the Marine Biology Zone very well. This is the only picture I have with it in the background. 

I learned a ton and I could tell that a lot was clicking with Elliot as well. Annie was enthusiastic about the science experiments, but protested mightily when we did any of the reading/writing activities. A highlight was the blubber experiment. We put our hands in ice water, then tried it again with a butter insulated zip lock bag glove thing. The funny part was that we had Annie go first. We told her to put her hand in the ice water and see how long she could leave it in there. She made a funny face but kept it in for a really long time before asking if she could take it out. Elliot and I went next and both only lasted a few seconds without the blubber glove. I don't know if it is a testament to her toughness or her obedience. She's a champ!

The reward for working hard and learning: A trip to the Aquarium in Phoenix! We are always happy for excuses to go visit Mary and this was a good one. We have been to this aquarium before but not for a few years.

Elliot and Andrew in the shark tunnel!