We enjoyed our break but it was time to get back into school today. I think everyone was ready, but we are still keeping a day free this week for a visit from Grandma.
We are studying electricity and magnetism and yesterday I read half of a biography of Nikola Tesla and started preparing questions for the kids so that they can begin reading when they are finished with the current chapter in their science book.
What a story!
His life was characterized by both his amazing mind and his equally hard challenges socially, including not being able to assertively stand up for himself. He was a sensitive and smart person who seemed much less macabre than most stories seem to depict him. I think part of that whole persona was what partly affected him socially as well. The idea that he was a wizard made people take him even less seriously, but he was truly amazing. He predicted television and sound waves and he invented alternating current, which is what we use in homes today. Edison had invented direct current, which was more costly and less safe. The book discussed a bit about why Edison did not want to jump on the alternating current bandwagon - but not only that - it became a personal vendetta against seeing Tesla become successful. Edison created a very damaging public campaign against alternating current so that he and his direct current wouldn't become obsolete and lose $$. Ahhh, the psyche of an American tycoon.
For hands on lab, the kids have been also working with their snap circuit set and learning about that basics there, as well. They love it!
I have my oldest delving even deeper in her social studies unit by reading the biography of Sojourner Truth. I am really trying to make the hardships of slavery a reality because it's something that I believe is sort of glossed over. Once again, I'm able to stress and dig more deeply into topics I feel are very important in history. Hopefully, I can raise critical thinkers who have an accurate view of history and can make sound judgement in the present day and for the future as well.
We are studying electricity and magnetism and yesterday I read half of a biography of Nikola Tesla and started preparing questions for the kids so that they can begin reading when they are finished with the current chapter in their science book.
What a story!
His life was characterized by both his amazing mind and his equally hard challenges socially, including not being able to assertively stand up for himself. He was a sensitive and smart person who seemed much less macabre than most stories seem to depict him. I think part of that whole persona was what partly affected him socially as well. The idea that he was a wizard made people take him even less seriously, but he was truly amazing. He predicted television and sound waves and he invented alternating current, which is what we use in homes today. Edison had invented direct current, which was more costly and less safe. The book discussed a bit about why Edison did not want to jump on the alternating current bandwagon - but not only that - it became a personal vendetta against seeing Tesla become successful. Edison created a very damaging public campaign against alternating current so that he and his direct current wouldn't become obsolete and lose $$. Ahhh, the psyche of an American tycoon.
For hands on lab, the kids have been also working with their snap circuit set and learning about that basics there, as well. They love it!
I have my oldest delving even deeper in her social studies unit by reading the biography of Sojourner Truth. I am really trying to make the hardships of slavery a reality because it's something that I believe is sort of glossed over. Once again, I'm able to stress and dig more deeply into topics I feel are very important in history. Hopefully, I can raise critical thinkers who have an accurate view of history and can make sound judgement in the present day and for the future as well.
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