This post is part of the 2018 Homeschooling Through the Holidays series.
I am delighted to be here today to talk about some of the different kinds of advent projects we’ve done in December and share a science experiment object lesson about Jesus’ miraculous birth!
Every December I look for ways to focus on Jesus during the holiday season. Some years it takes more work than others! I want my kids to think of Jesus when they think of Christmas, so I try to add in lessons about Him daily. Usually we do this with some kind of advent calendar. Some years we use a book of stories and poems that my mother-in-law put together for us. Some years we read picture books that teach the same principles that Jesus taught. Some years we just go straight to scriptures every day. One year I even wrote out 25 scriptures about Jesus and folded them up in little pyramids that I made from green construction paper. Each day, the kids would unfold a “Christmas Tree” and we’d discuss the scripture in it. I love our advent time, but I often find myself running in to a problem:
The problem has always been that adding one more thing in to our schedule makes our days a little more crowded and stressful–even when the thing that we’re adding in is good and important! Most days in December I struggle to get all of our school work done, and I often have to choose between our advent experiences (which I always love and want to make a priority!) and other important projects like science or writing!
This year I decided to plan in advance and fix the problem! I have a background in science education and curriculum writing, so we are going to approach December completely differently this time: We are NOT going to try and do our normal school work! Our normal science, writing, and history can wait until January!
Instead, we are going to go through a new kids advent calendar that I’ve been working on: An Experiment to Remember. It includes science, writing, and a focus on the Savior’s life and teachings. I’m hoping that it will build a framework for seeing Jesus in every day life, and that they will start to draw their own associations between things they see all the time and lessons from the Savior. Wouldn’t it be amazing if every time they blew out a candle, they thought about the Sermon on the Mount? Or if every time they cooked eggs they thought about forgiveness? Do you see why I’m so excited about this project?!!
You can see the whole An Experiment to Remember curriculum over on my blog, Teaching Without Chairs. But, today, I’m sharing the entire second lesson HERE for Life of a Homeschool Mom readers! You can also grab the printable version and the coloring-book-style ornaments that go with this lesson for free too!
You can use this lesson as part of your own advent, for a family devotional, or just as a reminder for your kids that truly, “with God, nothing shall be impossible.”
Lesson: Nothing Shall Be Impossible
Supplies: sharp pencils, zip-lock bag, water, sink or pan
Step by Step Experiment:
1- Fill the bag about 2/3 full with water.
2- Ask your kids what should happen when you poke the bag with a sharp pencil!
3- It seems impossible, but you can carefully poke straight through the bag without spilling any water! Practice once or twice in advance! Or poke it above a sink!
The Life of Jesus:
“For with God, nothing shall be impossible.” -Luke 1:37
Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary, even though it seemed impossible!
What “impossible” things do you have to do?
Zip-lock bags are made from polymers, or chains of long, skinny molecules. When you carefully poke the bag, you are wiggling the pencil in between polymer molecules. Those molecules quickly surround the pencil, filling any gaps, and preventing spills. When you take the pencil out, though, water will come!
I hope you enjoy the object lesson! Let me know if you try it!!
Carla is a high school science teacher turned homeschooling mom with five kids! She enjoys trying new things, biking, rock-climbing, and exploring new places with her family. She shares educational ideas online at Teaching Without Chairs and Preschool Powol Packets.