Chicken Math

Last night I was reading a thread over on Backyard Chickens about a "phenomenon" called Chicken Math.  It was a collection of stories from people who started off wanting 3 or 4 chickens and somehow ended up with flocks numbering in the double or TRIPLE!!! digits.  My husband wanted to know what I found so funny as I was staring at my computer screen snorting, cackling giggling my sides off.  I could so relate.  Here is my own Chicken Math story.

When we bought a house in the country, we decided the time had come at long last for some chickens.  Except it would be a month before we actually moved on the property.  Not to worry, the local garden store had a flock of 8 week old Buff Orpingtons.  We figured we would get 2 since our currently tiny backyard would be ample space to keep them happy.  Except they were already sold by the time we arrived.  But they had two Blue Andalusian 3 day old chicks available.  Since chicks have to be under heat lamps around the clock at the start anyway I did some quick calculations and decided we would get chicks and keep them in the kitchen for a few four weeks until we moved.  Besides my girls and my mother were staring at me with sad puppy eyes, hands clasped under their chins, whining peeping, "Please, please, PLEEAASSEEE?"  So 2 came home with us that day.

This got me thinking about how I should tie in some math into this chicken experiment we're conducting.  Here is one of the worksheets I've developed.

If you're wanting to find out how our flock now numbers a baker's dozen keep reading.  If you just want to download our Chicken Math worksheet then click HERE.  It is based on our previous Chick Charts so make sure to check out those posts to get the downloadable chart to go with.

Meanwhile back at the farm...

We set up the two girls in their new cage and my mother decided they looked a little lonely.  Besides if you're going to get a flock of chickens it is better they are all the same age so they have a better chance of getting along.  Off to another feed store where surprise, surprise they had just gotten in a shipment of new chicks.  Fifteen minutes later, my girls are gingerly prancing out of the store carting a box of pine shavings and three new chicks:  an Araucana, a Light Brahma, and a Golden Laced Wyandotte.  Our little flock is up to five.

Coincidentally another local feed store also received their chick shipment the same day.  Since they assured me they only order pullets (we shall see) we pop over for a look and a Rhode Island Red and a Barred Rock somehow manage to hitch a ride home.

Sunflower and Daisy but I have no idea which one is which.

We stayed at seven for about a week until one of our Andalusians met with a sad accident.  To cheer the girls back up we once again headed to the feed store.  This time we got two Welsummers because the lady there said I needed to get two the same age so they wouldn't get picked on by the older ones. Just as we were about to leave, a shipment of bantams shows up.  My absolute favorite chicken I had growing up was a bantam rooster named Pom Pom.  There is a hasty, whispered conference in the hay bale aisle between the girls and me about what to do.  Five minutes later Pom Pom II and Puff Ball, both Bantam Cochins, are added to the group.  Now we're up to 10.

My husband gives me that "look" when he comes home from work that night.  I show him how cute the widdle Bantams are, aren't their poofy feet so adorable?  He looks at me and says, "Did you say there was another shipment coming in?"  Seriously?  We're at the feedstore 5 minutes later picking out a dark pair of Bantam Cochins.  I should have known a man who is into bonsai would be interested in raising half-sized chickens.  The thing is the bantams are straight run so that means the chances of us ended up with a rooster are pretty good.  We will deal with this later but, in the mean time, we resort to waving our hand over the batch of chicks and thinking, "pullet, pullet, pullet" as we make a grab for the new recruits.  It's kinda like playing the lottery.  (Update: we should not play the lottery, Wabi and Sabi are, two weeks into this, by all appearances, roosters).

Chickens are like potato chips, you can't have just one.

So we're at a dozen.  The cage we are keeping the chickens in is really getting a bit cramped, we're expanding it by attaching a cardboard box.  My mother is giving me the I-told-you-so look (she predicted a dozen chickens as the magic number).  But I have to say she was wrong.  A week later we're at another feed store and there is a little Ameraucana looking at me from their cage just begging me (a vegetarian) to take it home.  So a baker's dozen it is....for now.  Chicken Math, that's how it works.  We're totally done now.  I promise.  Unless we happen to find a 3 week old Cuckoo Maran pullet.  Then all bets are off.

Chick Chart: Weekly Weigh In

Our Bantam Cochins.  Little bundles of cute fuzz.

Amazing what a week or two will do when you're a chicken.  One week you've just completed the difficult work of worming your way out of an egg shell.  The next week you're already popping out the feathers along the wings and starting to see who is going to be at the top of the pecking order.  By the third week you're well into becoming a gawky teenager.

Reading the scale.

Due to our complete inability to pass the feed store without stopping in to see what new type of chick they might be selling, our little flock is now up to an even dozen.  We've got several bantam chicks as well as Welsummers now (they should lay a deep terra cotta colored egg....assuming we didn't get roosters on accident).  But this is it.  Seriously.  I mean it this time!  

Cinnamon has nearly doubled her weight in a week.

So the girls had twice the amount of chickens to weigh in this week.  I made a Chick Chart Log to keep a record of the weights.  You can download a free google doc copy of our Chick Chart Weight In.  We have enough space to record five weeks worth of weigh ins.  After that we will see where this activity takes us.

Filling Out Puff Ball's Chart

We kept it simple.  Name of chicken, breed, and then once a week we write in the date, the weight (in grams), and any notes (such as one week old, getting feathers on wings).  We tried measuring the height of the chicken.  It didn't work so well as you can see by the picture below.  That is one unamused chick right there.

Goldie is waiting for this to be over all ready.

The problem I found with trying to get height is the chicken bobs up and down and won't stand still.  Generally it isn't a good idea to pin a chicken down either so after one attempt we abandoned that idea and just stuck to weight.

Next week after the weigh in, I'm going to add a math component to the assignment, tie it to some core standards:  subtracting two digit numbers (let's compare the weight from one week to the next), writing out numbers (152 = one hundred and fifty-two), and arranging numbers from least to greatest (put the weights of the chicks from the lightest to the heaviest).

Alright we put up with the weigh in now where's our oatmeal treat?

If you check back here in a bit, I'll have the math sheet posted as well.  This is turning out to be a fun project!

Linked to Share it Saturday, 1 2 3 Homeschool 4 Me, Super Saturday.

Chick Chart

Recording data on the chicks.

We have baby chicks!  Such cute little bundles of fluff and peeping.  They spend all their time running around, eating, pooping, and then passing out in tired-baby fashion, beak down into the pine shavings of their cage until 30 seconds later they are up and back at the feed bowl once again.

Rose, our Light Brahma

This morning I checked on them before my kids got up and our flock of seven little ladies looked like a frat house after a party.  Some were passed out on the feed dish, others sprawled right in the middle of the cage, and several were deeply asleep while piled on top of each other under the heat lamp.

Ari, the Araucana

I've been trying to wrap in some science requirements during this experience.  One of the core curriculum requirements involves recording and documenting data.  So I made up a Chick Chart for my girls to record information about their new flock of chicks.  If you would like to download this for free to use for your own personal use please click below.

Click HERE to download the chart from Google docs

We used a food scale and a large plastic container as a make shift chick scale.  We used grams (mainly because they were so tiny and also because like eating your spinach before apple pie, getting acquainted with the metric system is good for you).  I put in a paper towel to keep them from skidding around and getting panicked.  

Here is Violet our Barred Rock
getting weighed in at a "whopping" 39 grams.

The girls had to write down the name of the chicken, their breed, distinguishing colors and markings, and the weight of each chick.  I'm going to have them do a weekly weigh in to document the chick's growth (and boy do they grow quickly).  If you are interested in seeing how that chart turns out check back next week.  I'll have more pictures and another free download for you of the chart we used...just in case you're also raising Spring chicks and want to have your kids do some integrated science to boot.

Cinnamon (L) the Rhode Island Red and Lucy (R) the Blue Andalusian.

Linked up with Teach Beside Me for Share it Saturday, I Can Teach My Child (Show and Share Saturday).

Traveling I-40 Through Arizona With Kids

Checking out the Ancient Cliff Dwellings in Walnut Canyon.

We found ourselves motoring down I 40 in Arizona twice this year.  I like to plan places to stop every few hours so everyone doesn't get car squirrley (trust me it isn't pretty).  The Grand Canyon is in the neighborhood, but that is really a trip in it's own right.  If you're looking for places to stop for an hour (or more) that are right along I-40, we found Walnut Canyon National Monument outside of Flagstaff, and Petrified Forest on the eastern side of the state to fit the bill nicely.  

Here is a google doc link to the freebie journal page I used to have the girls journal about Walnut Canyon.  I printed out the pages, had them write in each section, cut them out, and then placed them into the journal along with pictures of our hike.  It is part of My Travel Journal, Grade 2.  

Journal Page, see link above if you'd like to use it.
TPT#80760

The one mile loop from the visitors' center will take you down a flight of stairs and around ancient, stone houses.   There are plenty of signs explaining the history of the area.  The trek back up the stairs will provide a good dose of exercise which will translate into less "He's poking me!", "She's on my side!" and diminished opportunity for a parental rise in blood pressure in dealing with sibling squabbles.

As with other national parks, Walnut Canyon participates in the free Junior Ranger Program....which has to be one of my favorite government programs, ever.

A view of some ruins across the way from the hiking trail.

About two hours later (if you're traveling east), you'll find Petrified Forest National Park.  If you'd like to see some of the pictures for our outing there, I'd posted about it earlier.  It is a park to drive through with stations to stop and get out and walk or view some spectacular vistas.  

There are also other things to do while traveling I-40.  There is the old 66 loop between Kingman and Seligman which is worth a drive and of course heading north to the Grand Canyon.  But these are more destinations in themselves.  You will also see multiple, multiple signs for stores/rest stops selling Indian blankets, jewelry, and pottery.  But Walnut Canyon and Petrified Forest are my two favorite stops to make when traveling that part of the country.

Shared on Hip Homeschool Hop.

Traveling I 80 through Nevada with Kids

Lots of This and Not Much Else

Not to disparage Nevada, but if you have to travel I 80 with kids in tow, you're going to have to be packing along some entertainment to keep the peanut gallery from getting mutinous.  We had to drive from California to Colorado in October for a family wedding and so I scoured the internet for things to do along I 80 especially through Nevada.  There isn't a ton of options, but if you look hard enough they are there.  If you find yourselves on a similar pilgrimage perhaps my notes will be useful.  We also played games in the car (such as the classic license plate game), watched videos (what trip wouldn't be complete without that), and set up a travel coupon rewards program.  

Planning the Trip

The first thing I did was to make a list of the major cities between Sacramento to Cheyenne.  I used Google maps to zoom in until some of the smaller cities popped up.  Then I also used the program to figure out the travel times between the cities so I knew when to plan a stop for meals or a break or for sight-seeing (such as there was).  I tried to find something to do about every two hours even if that something was to stop and run around in a city park for 20 minutes.  

Personally, I find rest stops to be a destination of last resort.  All there will be is the same fast food joints and a parking lot.  Perhaps a little grassy area everyone takes their dog to pee on.  So, other than stopping to fill up the gas tank, if I can find something else to visit as we are driving through that is preferable.  I haven't stepped into the current age and gotten a smart phone yet so all my planning takes place beforehand.  When, according to my calculations, we will be around certain town for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I look up restaurants for that area on Yelp.  I also do a Google search:  i.e. Things to do in Winnemucca.  Finally, I've found another site, Trip Advisor, to be helpful.  Between these three tools I was able to come up with some options for quick stops along the way to make the trip as fun (and educational) as it could be.

Activities by City

Just to give you an idea of what I did, here are some of my notes from some NV and UT areas.

Lovelock, NV: They have a whimsical tradition downtown at Lover's Lock.  You can bring or buy a lock and forever lock your love with your soul mate, or family.  (No, you cannot lock your children up).

Winnemucca/Elko:  I was hitting a block on what to do until I started googling town parks.  What a great idea!  Every city has a park, you can get out, have a picnic, and let your kids play on the monkey bars.  That's what we did while traveling through these cities.  Here is Winnemucca's park site and here is Elko's.

West Wendover:  Right before the salt flats, West Wendover will be a neon glow in the night sky you will see hours before actually getting there.  For some reason, we always end up here around nighttime and usually bunk down at one of their plentiful hotels.  Note:  most will be attached to casinos.  If you're not thrilled about dragging your children through those areas on the way to the hotels rooms, look for lodging on the Utah side of town.

Okay, so technically you will be in Utah by this point but I just had to mention:

Bonneville Salt Flats:    I admit I was really looking forward to visiting the Salt Flats.  Speed race records are set there.  Martian looking landscape with all the salt left behind from an ancient sea.   And then we drove by the park entrance and the only way to get there again would be to turn around after 70 miles and go back.  Not happening.  Fortunately, there was also a way station about halfway along one of the world's straightest bits of freeway and we were able to explore some of the flats after all.

So that is how I found things to do along one of the more tedious stretches of road in this great country.   Really, family trips can be fun.  And most likely the kids will not remember the times Mommy whined about being in the car forever and ever, amen.  Hopefully.  

Car Trip Coupons

'Tis the Spring Break season.  For many that means traveling.  With our children.  In a car.  For long distances.  We have had several loooonggg car trips this year due to weddings.  Due to the fact our Little Dude has cardiac issues that prevent him from flying, we've had to traverse this country by minivan.  I told myself many a time during those days, "At least you're not doing this in a covered wagon."

We've got another long trip coming up.  Driving from California to Ohio.  Yep, the thought of 40 hours one way is causing me to partake in a daily dose of therapeutic pecan pie.  So, time to put on the Mommy pants and get some activities planned already.  If you tune into my blog every now and then you'll see what we're doing to turn our family trek across the States into one really awesome thematically focused field trip.  (This is the problem when your mom is a teacher, you will not be allowed to wallow in the back seat and engage in a full blown Disney movie marathon while munching on Cheetos.  Oh no, there will be journaling, and national park activities, and math (and date/nut healthy snacks) in addition to the wallowing and junk food binging.

Exploring the Grand Canyon

One of the activities we tried on a trip was giving the girls coupons they could cash in for prizes.  There were coupons for being good travelers, getting an assignment completed (they still had school work to do), and being "good" i.e. not yelling or arguing and in general letting mommy and daddy sit up front and have an occasional adult conversation (which might have revolved around our completely different approaches to driving...perhaps I should have come up with behavior-modification coupons for the adults).

If you're a family getting ready to travel or a teacher who wants to give your class parents some ideas for their upcoming Spring Break travels, and you'd like a free google doc version of my coupons you can click here.  I printed them on Avery business card forms (but you can print and cut them out using regular paper although I'd use heavier card stock).  We got the girls small little boxes they could store their coupons in.  Their big mystery prize was a travel pillow they worked diligently to earn.  The DVDs were educational in nature (of course) and dealt with geographical information about the areas we were traveling through.  Honestly, the girls loved this activity more than I did.  I kept forgetting to give them coupons every 30 minutes after a while.  But it sure made the first few days of our trip very enjoyable and positive.  (I'll have to have a blog about what to do on return trips when kids have already watched all the DVDs, already read all the books, and are so ready to get home, already.  Note: I'm still not sure what to do about that particular issue other than pack a couple extra doses of Advil for my migraines).

Next week I'll be talking about My Travel Journal.  This was our big project to complete while traveling and the girls still look through it and point out all the fun things they did last summer.  I've created travel journals for K, 1, and 2 and am trying to get grade 3 out there as well, but right now I've got some suitcases to pack and activities to create...we're going on another adventure!

Thanks to Graphics From the Pond for the Fuzzy Bump Borders I used to make the coupons.  Linked with Share it Saturday.  If you're interested in some travel ideas for I-80 through Nevada check out this post.

Shared on Hip Homeschool Hop, What's Working Wednesday

Confessions of a Science Fair Coordinator

So proud of their work.

So I have a confession to make.  When I was teaching middle school, I got stuck with planning our school's K-12 Science Fair.  And, yes, I use the word, "stuck."  I admit it....I really, really did not like have to plan a science fair.  However, as I figured it would be good for me to do it anyway....kinda like eating kale in your smoothies even though you don't really like doing it, I planned the fair.  I compiled information packets for all the kids, I held inservices for the teachers, I closed my ears to those who kinda whined about all the additional work it took (both from the teacher end of things and the parent end of things....and also some of the students whined about it, too).  I assembled a panel of judges, organized the gym, mobilized volunteers for set up and take down, crafted judging rubrics, ordered ribbons, and on and on and on.  Oh, those were the days.  And you know, in the end, some of the kids were inspired and showed up with robots made from scratch and cool studies to prattle excitedly about to the judges, and others showed up with a cucumber and two wires attached and as soon as the fair was over tossed their data set into the trash and pranced around celebrating the end of the extracurricular torture.  Win some, lose some, I guess.  

Setting Up The Project on Fair Day

So when my kids' charter school announced a science fair was in the works my first thought was, well kinda unprintable.  I think I still was traumatized from my previous experiences.  Boiled down, science fairs are a lot of work.  They always are a lot of work for the students, the parents, and the teachers.  But we keep doing them because it gives the kids a chance to explore a topic in depth, because it might spark their love of learning about something for the rest of their lives, or they might even go on to the state competition and win it all.  Or not.  But after planning fairs and participating in them as a parent and a teacher I just wanted to put down five tips to stack the deck towards it being a wonderful experience.

First of all, before doing anything, get the instructions from the school.  If there is a packet of information, pull it out of your kid's book bag before his water bottle leaks all over it.  You have to have the directions before getting started.  It will save you hassle in the long run (this also applies to assembling bookshelves and driving to a new locale).  My kids' school's instructions were simple: pick up a free display board and go to something sciency.  I realize this might not float in some schools but let me tell you I was so happy with these instructions, I could have danced a little jig right there (but I didn't on account of my severe lack of coordination).

Secondly, read the instructions to find out what the final product must be.  Does your school only want experiments.  Will they allow other science projects like demonstrations or collections or reports?  Will they want a report?  A journal?  A display board of a certain size? Knowing what your school will allow for a final project will shape the choice of a topic.  When I was running the fair the kids actually had to turn in a topic proposal and they could only do an experiment or a demonstration.  (Yes, I realize that was a big pain in the butt, but it saved me the hassle of explaining to an 8th grader on fair day why bringing a vinegar and baking soda volcano to the fair was not a grade appropriate project).

Blending up pulp for papermaking

Third, let your kid find a topic they can get excited about.  When my husband heard about the fair his first suggestion was plants...because he likes plants.  And I'm sure they would have done a great plant project but what my kids wanted to do was A) a report on dolphins or B) a demonstration on papermaking.  They were so excited about their individual projects they went to the library, brought home a stack of books on their chosen topic, and started taking notes.  Without me having to nag them about it. (Okay, I did have to drive them to the library and help them find the books).

Fourth, find that fine line between helping them and doing the project for them.  I always hated seeing Kinder students show up with projects perfectly typed instead of handwritten...because that meant the parent probably did it all.  For my girl who did the dolphin project, I had her type out her notes but then I helped her with the font and formatting.  For the other who did papermaking I had her dictate the steps for the process, I took notes, and then she had to write them out neatly for the display.

Finally, you just have to come up with a time frame and stick to it.  Waiting till the last week before the fair to get started is just a recipe in disaster and stress.  If your child works on the project a little at a time it will be manageable and much more fun (theoretically).

Everyone likes a blue ribbon.

So how did we do?  Well, we managed to finish our projects one week before they were due.  The girls were so excited they showed Little Dude who promptly crawled across one, ripping up a few pictures.  Good thing we had some extra time to fix that.  Then for fair day they were very happy to get their blue ribbons (note: everyone got blue ribbons).  One of the projects even got an award for "Coolest Project" and the accompanying prize was 4 tickets to a science museum, which they were very excited about.  I figure the girls will be primed and ready to tackle next year's fair...and as long as I'm not in charge of having to organize it....I'll be ready, too.