After reading the challenge I set to go find a few quartz rocks from the bucket in our learning library.  But first, I peeked at the websites suggested:

• http://geology.com/minerals/quartz.shtml and
•  http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8265225_quartz-rocks-kids.html

Thinking of Quartz, I had more of an image of Quartz Crystals, or something maybe like Granite. I had one specimen on the nature collection shelves.  BUT – I read up on the websites – and saw that the elements of quarts could form different colors and shapes, agates, jasper, opal, etc. What? Back up the thinkin’ truck! So – I asked the boys the same thing the challenge asked me, and on a rainy day asked them to . . .

Go to the Nature Collection Shelves and find your 3 favorite quartz rocks . . . . . Both boys went to the shelves, and came back with one rock, and said they weren’t sure.  So I showed them the websites as well, read a bit from the Handbook of Nature Study book, and as soon as the word Jasper and Agate, Minerals, Silicon, etc were mentioned – they were off and running. 

In the Pacific Northwest – our most abundant form of quartz would be – Sand!  After that, it would be the rocks under the layer of sand – Agates! We emptied out the jars from the Agates from just this year, and played with the colors.

(That’s a Turkey Roasting Pan Folks)

Banding and Color.  We each collect different types, sizes, shapes. Hubby like jelly bean shapes, I like different colors like Red, Green, Pink, Purple and Blue. Jon likes Black and White. Nate? Eagle Eye Nate finds all sorts of goodies. The more different, the more he likes it.

I can’t find the website / book reference, but I did read that even fossils and petrified wood is a form of quartz.

This is Nate’s color rainbow, and below is his favorite find, only a small portion was sticking out of the sand, and it was yellow on the outside, not blue.

Jon’s color rainbow. He has to add a “lil jon” and the sun.

Mom’s rainbow colors. We talked about the glass being a form of Quartz as well.  We also had some bunny trails on the properties, as we are studying the elements in Chemistry with Nate.

This was a good time to clean off the discovery shelf, and to take some time to enjoy all of those items that get found as I wash jeans . . . .

As always – I encourage you to jump into one of these challenges. You might not have a family full of rock collectors – But with a nick name like Pebblekeeper, and a school name like Petra School – what would you expect less?

The beginning idea comes from the  Shawhank Redemption – the  scene where  they are sitting, chatting, and thinking about the future. He says – You gotta either get busy living, or get busy dying. Our speaker was encouraging us to engage, to get going, be intentional – get focused – Eyes on the Goal – Eyes on Christ.

We talked about Peter – walking on the water – eyes on Christ – and when he looked away – he sank. Christ had to lift him up, rescue him, and put him back in the boat. To which – we watched the second video:

Fearless Man Riding Dirtbike Link

The above video is only a minute and a half, go ahead and watch it – it’s amazing. The focus the rider has to have, the knowledge of the trail, possibly having been there before in the summer, depending on his skills, setting fear aside, willing to fall – I could go on.

The whole talk was really good – but these two contrasts stood out to me. Thinking of being a parent. A Woman of Faith. A Homeschooling Mom. A Blogger. A Sharer.

I’ve met a lot of parents in person, and on line, that seem to have an air of apology.  Making excuses. Of why they can’t do this or that. Of why their kids aren’t this or that. Why their house is run this way or that. Why the sink is full or empty. Why they notebook or workbook or no book.

I don’t want to be the person sitting on the wall, I want to be walking the courtyard, spilling out pebbles a bit at a time, every day, digging. Digging. With a  goal. Focused. Not afraid.

I want to walk on water. I want my focus on Christ. I don’t want to see the waves, the storm, the hazards, Just Christ.

I don’t want to apologize for where I am on this pendulum. Some days I’m almost to shore, and some days, I feel like I’ve been lifted up by my collar and put back in the boat.

I love sharing our lives on the internet. I love showing how we do what we do – hoping to encourage you – that you can do it too – in your way – in obedience to how He directs you to do it.

I want to have confidence, to strap the camera on my helmet, and ride or fall, just do it. He’s not totally nuts, he does have a helmet on . . .But he is confident that his training and experience would pull through, and he would be capable.

Where are you on this swing? Where is your focus? When you focus on today, the right now, I think that’s when one falls.  Too many distractions. Frustrations. Interruptions. But knowing what is in the future, what we’re building on – eyes ahead, not looking behind,  -

Our memory verse today is from Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

I have a group of young moms in town asking me questions.  I think we will be forming a group. I’ve been learning about homeschooling for 8 years, and a couple of years before that. I’ve been experiencing many methods and styles over the years.  Why would I ever answer with an apologetic tone? Arg. Hard to verbalize in print, with kids coming and going, phone calls and drop bys. . . . I leave you with those thoughts for the evening. . . . I’m still chewin’ on it. . . . .

Nathan’s science assignments this week –

• Looking up Chemistry in Nature,
• Make a poster showing chemistry at work in nature,
• and complete a Lab (aka Science Experiment) that relates to Chemistry in Nature.  

He took some time studying about venom in snakes and dart frogs, and then moved towards his Lab.  When we were using the World of Science book for our Encyclopedia work, we noticed that there were science experiments in the back.  One of the experiments was about Atmospheric Pressure being displayed  through figure burning oxygen.

Nathan understood the instructions enough to perform the experiment on his own. This was a timely experiment with our Biblical studies as well. On Sunday, our talk was about void – or the fact that God did not design nature to have voids.  Our reference was from Matthew 12:43-45 urging us to fill our hearts and minds once we’ve “swept it clean”. Anyways – the fire uses the oxygen, and the water rises. Nate realized that colored water makes it easier to see the change, and experimented with different size jars to see if it would change how high the water rose. He measured the jar to see if the percentage of oxygen in the glass matched the amounts on the chart – and it did! (Jon was making his own poster in the background of the photo for his molecule study).

Our science studies have had us using a collection of science dictionaries and encyclopedias. We’ve also had to look up items on line – especially for the phrase “Chemistry in Nature.”  What a joy it is to have a resource like World of Science that just gives us the facts based on scripture dates and origins. It is amazing how the evolutionary theory seems to be stated in every single topic we look up in other books.

Here is a link to our experiment on a quick 18 second video:
http://youtu.be/d1Ya80LpwHM

If you are looking for a great Science Encyclopedia that also has experiments for hands on learning as well – I highly recommend World of Science!

The World of Science explores God’s creation all around us, from the furthest star in the Universe to the smallest atom under our feet. Through six accessible sections, children will gain an understanding of the importance of science in our ever-changing world. This book brings a fresh and engaging approach to all aspects of the subject, while a final section of practical activities and experiments makes the application of science fun and enjoyable.

Preview

• Over 800 illustrations and photographs
• Includes over 60 science experiments
• Ideal for home reference and school project work

8 1/2 x 11 • 256 pages • Casebound * The World of Science *  9780890516188 *  $24.99