Paintin' Rainbows in the Sky

As part of our Noah's Ark study, we also painted rainbows. We not only talked about the symbolism of a rainbow but also the science/art aspect. I think the whole light separates into colors thing was a bit much but they thoroughly enjoyed learning that rainbows always put the colors in the same order - ROY G. BIV. Hmm, which one of my science teachers gets credit for teaching me that acronym?

How big was the Ark?

This week in Tapestry of Grace we have backed up and are studying Genesis. The authors of TOG suggest that Moses wrote Genesis as an encouragement to the Israelites when they were wandering in the wilderness. Since we feel this is possible, we left the order of the studies in Tapestry as they were.

Part of the beginning of Genesis is learning about the flood and Noah's Ark. The ark was 300 cubits long and 50 cubits wide. The author suggested giving each child an 18" long piece of string to represent a cubit and measure the ark out doors, marking the corners. We started with string and began on the neighbors fence. I took a few pictures and we began. Maybe I don't have enough children or maybe my children aren't old enough to do this but a 3, 5 and 7 year old with a piece of string was not working! Our line wasn't straight, before the next person was ready with their string person #1 had moved. It was a nightmare!!! I couldn't imagine trying to mark off 300 of them when we couldn't even get 3. I think this could work with something solid like 18" pieces of 2x4s or dowel rod. Then the pieces could be laid on the ground end to end.

So I borrowed a wheel measure-er. I doubt that's the proper term but that is what we called it. Once again we began on the neighbor's fence. Everyone had a turn pushing the wheel. Our entire yard is only 425'. We continued on into the other neighbor's yard but I didn't let them mark it. Then we measured how far 5o cubit was. From the ditch, 75 feet will put you half-way between the house and the starting point. I think the kids were really surprised at how big it was - I know I was! No wonder it took Noah and his sons so long to build. They had no modern machinery, they didn't even have a nail gun. LOL

Pyramid building

This week we are studying the Egyptian Pyramids. After our overview this morning the kids began building lego pyramids.

Salt Dough Maps

It's time for another adventure in Tapestry of Grace.






Part of the study includes geography. Since we don't know much about the official definitions of terms like mountains, plateaus, mesas, and inlets we made 3-D maps to help learn what these mean.

Madisyn finished the landscape portion of hers and left it alone.

Ty and Griffin made a river valley and few hills and mountains but then decided it was more fun to play in it, so they made some sort of free form object. I'm sure when it comes time to paint Ty will try to convince me that it really is a landscape. Oh well, I can't expect every project to turn out right.

Memphis, Egypt or Memphis, TN ?

As I mentioned before we are currently studying Egypt in Tapestry of Grace. We like to visit the Memphis Zoo but I had never really explained to the kids why Memphis has so much Egyptian architecture and decor.

As we drove over the Mississippi River, Kent explained that there was a Memphis in Egypt on the Nile River. Memphis, TN was named after the other Memphis because of the similarity between the two town being on major rivers. He pointed out the pyramid and told them that it was built to be a replica of the Egyptian pyramids but the similarities stopped on the outside. We had a little discussion about Egyptian tombs and burials.


Once we arrived at the zoo, I pointed out all the hieroglyphs and Egyptian artwork on the entrance to the zoo. The kids immediately pointed out that they knew why the little fountain with a "river" was called the Nile. We talked about all the animals that were found in Egypt and even the ones in Africa.




Most of the smaller concession stands were closed (although the weather was so wonderful that frequent drinks weren't needed). Kent attempted to buy a Gatorade out of a machine. It was $2.50 and the machine wouldn't accept a $5 bill. We kept walking and found a Hawaiian Shaved Ice stand. Ben acted as though he was being poisoned but the rest of us really enjoyed it.







This is one of my favorite pictures from the day. Griffin was walking at this point and ran up to Kent and held his hand.

Paddle Dolls

This year we are using a new curriculum. It covers History, Geography, Humanities, and during year one, Bible History (not doctrine - Joseph, Abraham, Moses, etc). It is called Tapestry of Grace. So far, I think it's wonderful. The first three weeks cover ancient Egypt. As part of our week one studies we made paddle dolls. Egyptian children often made these dolls out of thin planks of wood.