One exciting aspect of homeschooling is that I can learn alongside of my children! I am quite content with the fact that I don’t have to know everything, and the information is out there as we need it. So when we recently acquired another treasure for our nature table, I was a little stumped in explaining the new beauty to the children.
“So, you guys, it’s milkweed.” Said in a tentative tone.
“Is it dead?”
“Does it make milk like a cow? Can I drink it?”
“Why is this one empty and this one full…what’s in here by the way!?”
“Where can we find it? Is it in our backyard?”
After a few questions, it was obvious that Mama didn’t know enough. Promising to have more answers in 15 minutes, I hopped online while they played. Score!
:: videos on YouTube–an excellent three part series all on the milkweed plant in various seasons {each one is around 5 minutes}. My 10-yr old thought it too funny that each one begins with ‘hey guys…’.
:: a great explanation of the relationship between monarch butterflies and the milkweed plant. Scroll to page 3 for info specifically on milkweed.
:: we found a page in our Fun With Nature book that offered info on milkweed bugs, which are now hibernating, so we’ll look for them in Spring {click on the picture for a larger view}.
:: then we shared our own observations–
What does the outside feel like? {coconut shells–Jordyn, age 5}
How about the seeds inside? {my soft bear and blue blanket–Josiah, almost 3}
Josiah was quite fascinated with the fact that the seeds can fly and proceeded to take a handful and throw them ‘HIGH UP IN THE AIR MOMMY!’. A soft landing:
which of course led to a quick discussion on how seeds get around :: dandelion and milkweed seeds have the common factor of the wind aiding their travels.
Whew. Hooray for the Internet!
And while I didn’t know the ins and outs concerning the biology of the milkweed plant, I do have a fabulous craft idea brewing for those dried out pods. Now that I have no problem figuring out!
I love the internet for looking up things that my kids ask about! It is like having an extra teacher right in our house!
I love the freedom that homeschooling our kids allow us. Thanks for sharing such great resources and pictures
The joy of homeschooling.. learning alongside your children. That’s what we love most about our journey as homeschooler’s.. Thanks for stopping by my blog and I look forward to reading more and stopping back by soon 🙂 UPB 09 Party!