science experiments were invented to torture mothers:

The words at the top of the Science book page read:

Something to do at home:

 

 

Funny.  We're already doing everything at home.  Thanks, Science Book.

 

Then there's just a short list of everyday items that somehow require a gargantuan amount of time to hunt down:

 

1. 2 clear plastic soda bottles with caps (we don't drink pop. . . like ever. . .) [Jacob lights up at the idea of consuming 4 liters of sugar liquefied in the name of education]

 

2. small potted plants just alike  *special trip to buy*

 

3. two flat dishes

 

4. baking soda

 

5. vinegar

 

6. a funnel (do we have a funnel? *search the house from top to bottom, even the sandbox outside in the snow: no funnel.  Spy plastic vanilla bottle.  Pour excess vanilla into jar, cut vanilla bottle in half: voila, a funnel)

 

7. a glass

 

8. tape *another elusive household item, found up in Cambria's room*

 

9. notebook

 

I know this is all about explaining carbon dioxide but to me this list sounds like a mad treasure hunt that I don't have time for.

 

It's like saying:

 

Go find a

 

sock

umbrella

raisin

marshmallow

bar of Ivory soap (unwrapped)

paper bag (with handles)

piece of elastic

safety pin (1/4" long)

 

 

There!  Put it all together and you have a science experiment!

 

Or  an experiment in how to drive your mama nuts, either way it's an experiment.

 

I love teaching but I dread science projects.

 

What's your teaching nemesis?