W is for Water and Winter Wonderland

W is for Water... we started this unit right before Christmas, and finished it when we got our first snow in January. This was the easiest to make hands-on as even when there was no ice and snow, they could always enjoy a bubble bath. 

Here he is enjoying a bath with ice, learning the effects of salt followed by warm water.

We also did a candy geyser. Mentos and diet cherry 7up equals entertainment for the whole neighborhood, for about 30 seconds. 

We also learned about how water is absorbed by paper towels so that the colors come in the middle, also showing blue and yellow make green.

We made snow ice cream.This also entertained/fed the whole neighborhood.

 We really liked the design the snow made on the little evergreen branches

Eating snowflakes. That is a form of science, right?

We put a dark paper in the freezer, and then we caught some snowflakes. We even looked at them under our little magnifying glass.

We learned about water as a liquid, solid, and gas...and crystal (the snow version of solid). We learned about dissolving things in water, water evaporating, and how water absorbs. 

Our phrase to learn for this unit was "Jesus gives my spirit living water to drink."

 "Everything that is alive needs water to live, and we need special water so our spirits will live. Jesus will give our spirit what it needs to live if we ask Him."-from curriculum

This was a very abstract, supernatural topic that was difficult to explain to my boys. I had to just give the facts that we need water, and our spirit needs Jesus. I wanted so bad to explain more, but I had a hard time putting this topic into my own words. We read the Bible stories of the woman at the well, and how God provided water for the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. 

As we watched the beautiful snow fall, I was able to recall that God says in Isaiah that "though your sins be scarlet, I will make them white as snow." What a powerful picture of God's amazing mercy.

As I type this, we are enjoying yet another winter wonderland. This is rare for Chattanooga. Thank you Lord, that your mercies are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness!