Innovative Investigations: Block and Tackle

DATE: 22 Zilhijjah 1433/8 Nov. 2012

Block and Tackle

AIM:
To build a simple block and tackle and a pulley with hangers and investigate how they work and which is easiest.

load; plasticine

MATERIALS:
- 3 coat hangers
-  plasticine
- tape
- scissors
- pencil
- paper cups


METHOD:

cup holding load

First we used the paper cup and yarn to make a bucket to hold our load.

Then we made the Block and Tackle with two hangers, some yarn and tape; we tied one end of the yarn to one hanger and taped it in place. Then we wound the yarn around both hangers and held on the the other end of the yarn to pull. The bucket was attached to the lower hanger.

The second pulley was made by attaching the bucket to one end of the  yarn and looping the other end over the curve of the hanger.


RESULTS:

Block and tackle in action

load up

simple system pulley using a hanger

OBSERVATIONS:
1.Which pulley system worked better?
The simple pulley.

2.Why?
It could be pulled more easily.

3. Did both pulleys need the same amount of force to work?
No, the block and tackle needed more force to move (it was difficult to use too).

 4. Which needed more force?
The Block and Tackle.

5.Why did it need more force to lift the load?
The yarn had to move over more distance to work and had to the lower hanger as well.


(Design of Block and Tackle taken from :Wheels, Pulleys and Levers"  pulished by Pustak Mahal, India)

Creative Characters (Bookworm Club Competition)

Our Bookworm Book Club is currently reading "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Once the first four lucky golden ticket winners were revealed in the book, our Book Worms were asked to write about a fictitious child who would fit in with the first four nasty winners and tells us how the child found the ticket. They were given a week to prepare for the competition.

HBAP (7yrs) was very excited, she brought out a white board and marker and asked Ummi to help write out her thoughts. She first considered writing about a child who played too much cricket and the following day changed her mind and thought out a story about a boy who didn't like to bathe. She then asked Ummi to write it out so that she could copy it on to paper. She then wrote it out twice to make it neat, still not satisfied with her own handwriting she asked Ummi to write it out.
This is HBAP's story in her own handwriting:

TED KHAN

It continues-One day his parents said they would give him money to buy chocolate if he had a bath. He washed his hands and face with soap, and they gave him the money. Then he went to the chocolate shop and he bought a chocolate. He went home and he opened it and he saw a golden ticket inside.



MBAP (9yrs) decided not to write anything because he felt he couldn't possibly win, but was quick to suggest stories for others to write, with some persuasion he finally put together a story just before the club session began.  His story:

JESSE MEANIE

Jesse was an only child who did not know how to share. When his neighbors play cricket and their ball flies into his house he takes it and hides it in his sleeves and tells them it did not come there .When he plays with them and gets out he stops playing and goes whit his ball so no one else can play. When Jesse heard about the golden ticket he bullied small children to give him their chocolate .once he found a ticket he left the little children alone.           

IBAP (11yrs) eagerly put his story together and wrote it out without a fuss Masha'Allah!

IBAP's Story:

PETER   POSTOPIA

Peter Postopia loves his PSP. He plays on it all day long. Even when he wakes up he plays on his PSP while his mother feeds him breakfast. At school when his teacher is checking other children’s work, he uses it under his desk. Peter plays with it till he falls asleep so it stays in his hand while he is asleep. When he heard about the golden tickets he started eating chocolate while playing on his PSP, till one day he found a ticket. Peter then stopped eating chocolate to concentrate on his games.

After all the club members had presented their stories a secret ballot was carried out to ascertain the competition winner; Masha'Allah HBAP won! She received a Hajj activity book as a prize.

To read more about the competition and read the other children's entries visit:
http://karachi-bookworms.blogspot.com/2012/10/charlie-and-chocolate-factory-4.html

HBAP's Snowy Sights

SNOW

Early in the month of February HBAP (6yrs) had the opportunity to visit the snowy hill station of Burbhan. Abbi had a conference to attend and HBAP accompanied him. She was excited to be able to travel in an aeroplane with only Abbi by her side  and the prospect of  seeing SNOW! None of her siblings have had a chance to do so yet. There was also the promise of a bonfire dinner to attend, so all bundled up in Latvian warm clothes (borrowed from a friend) off she went. Abbi was impressed by how HBAP moved around independently, taking care of her needs while Abbi conducted a workshop, Masha'Allah. The following are her impressions of her winter holiday:

SNOW OUTSIDE THE HOTEL

"There was snow outside the hotel on the ground and on the cars, and on the trees.In our balcony there was snow, Abbi's friend came and said that you can't go into the balcony because there is so much snow.He picked up some snow and kept it in my hand.It felt cold. I saw a bonfire and I sat in front of the fire, I was feeling cold, the fire made me warm, but my back was still cold. I was wearing gloves. I saw rabbit, Abbi saw a fox. I went in a park and walked on snow. I saw a swimming pool in the park, it had water in it (it wasn't frozen.) I watched Abbi give his talk (Abbi was conducting a workshop).I had lots of soft mints. "

NEWSFLASH: Hifz Competition@ Marium Appa's Class

Marium Appa organized a Hifz competition for the four groups who are doing Hifz in her class; this includes HBAP (6yrs) and MBAP's (8yrs) group. The judges were three respected teacher's who run their own Quran classes. each student was called up in turn and the judges would recite an ayah following which the student had to compete the quoted surah. Medals were awarded to the first and second best reciters.

Alhumdulillah, HBAP received the silver medal in her group. Masha'Allah she recited in a strong loud and clear voice. MBAP's group had stiff competition and he too recited easily and without hesitation. Alhumudulillah he though disappointed he was not upset for not having won.

More about the competition from our 4 yr old correspondent SBAP:

" I was sitting in the class and I had two toffee: ZBAP and mine. And I was sitting and everyone got gifts not me.
 They (the students) were sitting and they were talking and Marium Appa said to be quiet but they were not being quiet. They all got papers (certificates) and wearing things that you wear (medals). Ant they got toffees.
They had tables and chairs (for the judges) and mats (for participants and audience) and everyone was sitting on them. There were papers and balloons and paper flowers with butterflies (decorating the walls.)

Book Worm Club Events as narrated by SBAP (3yrs) & HBAP (6yrs)

“We read books and people come, then  we eat snacks. Ummi and Aunties read books and Isa reads books os-so (also), we pull a rope  (tug of war) and then Isa sits on the stone and everyone sits on it. They play cricket.

Last time I did something, I put so much water in the volcano, the red-red came out.  Little, little water came from the other volcano. “— SBAP

“First we read a book about a volcano and the Magic school Bus. Then we went in the balcony and then Ummi took the picture of the volcanoes. Then everyone picked the volcanoes and put on the side where there was no sun. Then everybody put water, soap and other things in the volcanoes and then the lava came out. Ours started leaking after a few times. Then some fell on my clothes.”—HBAP

 

Marium Appa’s Quran Class as narrated by SBAP (3yrs) & HBAP (6yrs)

I sit next to Isa and play next to Isa and then I did something good! I jumped up with my pencil and then all the teacher came back,. Then they came back to listen to our Quran.

All people come back from their home to read the Quran.

- SBAP

I take off my shoes and put them on the rack, then I sit in the first gali near the garden because all the rooms are filled and are hot so my teacher makes us sit in the gali.

My teacher’s name is Sumairah Aunty, she makes us read and she makes letters on the board and we read it. We also have a test and we also play games and we also read from the Quaida, para. And Sir Ibrahim comes and makes us do Arabic. And Aunty gives us stars and chocolate if we read nice, and I got 5 stars for finding a big letter.

- HBAP

Eid Breakfast at the Pirani's (as narrated) by HBAP (6 yrs)

We had chips walla eggs and Yusuf gave us an Eid gifts : 'cocomok' and mints;  lemon and orange for me. Nana gave us Eidi gift money and Nani gave us an Eidi gift money, and Khala gave the big people “gaz”  (Iranian sweets) and Zia Khalu didn’t want any. And Abbi didn’t want any because it was so sticky.

Khala said Zia Khalu should go in the rain because he likes it, but he asked Qasim, and Qasim said it was very fast then he said it didn't matter he did not want to go.

Then we were playing with Yusuf, then we had our breakfast, after the breakfast we were playing. Then Yusuf went home. Then Nani, Nana and Hafidh Mamu were here and then they went home. Then Isa and Muadh went in the room to play alone.

From the Farm to the Fridge



A few of our books



Where does our food come from? Though the little BAPs have learnt to thank Allah SWT for the food they eat, they needed to learn that the food is not naturally produced at at the grocer's stand, refrigerator or in a box, and it is to that end we have been reading up and watching videos about where our food comes from.

Masha'Allah the BrainQuest workbooks offered pictures of heathly food and their storage.

The following websites show how cows are milked and bread and cheese are made. Even the elder kids were fascinated.

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/3275-how-to-milk-a-cow-by-hand

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/3276-how-to-milk-a-cow-by-machine

http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/VideoActivity.aspx?contentId=163&sectionId=66&siteId=15&titleId=169

http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/VideoActivity.aspx?siteId=15&sectionId=66&contentId=163&titleId=171

 

Popcorn poping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFh6RAwELi0&feature=related

Peanut Butter being made in a factory:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H_M6yw32M0

Honey from the comb into the jar at a factory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT6IQx26eHk&feature=related

Cereal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ6ek9UOvxA&feature=related

Chocolate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiMjr3Rwdjs&feature=related

Coffee ( does not say how its made but you can see the plants and
beans etc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdvovtRVfkM

Chickens:

http://www.kandns.com/TheKandNsWay-video.htm

Mushrooms (warning you may not want to eat them again after seeingwhat
they grow in =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n99zZ4nbunE&feature=related

for fun:
Bubble bursting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIZwQ24_OU0&feature=related

 

A link on turtle hatching:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SNAkids?blend=8&ob=5#p/u/17/kNfee1o6zXc


This theme led us, amongst other things, to discuss how do plants grow - the origins of our food, more on that soon, Insha'Allah.

Snackeria: Chef HBAP's Debut

Though HBAP (age 6) enjoys cutting veggies and helping out in the kitchen, she recently made her debut as a upcoming chef. For her first meal ever she prepared Peanut Butter Brownies From A Box. As Ummi guided her, under the instructions of Betty Crocker, HBAP carefully measured the ingredients, greased and floured the baking tray, mixed, poured, baked, cut and served the brownies.

Preparing the batter

Chef HBAP mixing the batter

ready to bake

piece of cake?

Alhumdulillah they were delicious and we hoped she would soon make something from scratch. (Masha'Allah, HBAP and her friends did get the opportunity to cook from scratch, to read more about it visit here http://karachi-bookworms.blogspot.com/2011/07/mirchi-barai-samosas-spicy-samosas.html )

For GIRLS only!

Alhumdulillah HBAP finally had the opportunity to host her very own "party for only girls!".  All the Pirani boys were sent out for the day day......except for SBAP (3 yrs old) and  ZBAP (1 1/2)....

The guest list as compiled by HBAP consisted of those young ladies and their mothers that HBAP knew personally and enjoyed the company of, the guests themselves were excited about attending a girls only party too, Masha'Allah. Activities prepared for the girls consisted of :

Bracelet Making:
Shinny beads were placed in bowls and trays for the girls to make their own bracelets, the cord provided was old, unused dental floss.

Mehindi:
Cones from Saeed Ghani and lots of tissue was ready for the girls to have their hands decorated. Umm Uzair generously brought books with various mehindi designs and applied it for the girls while her baby Asma rested. Once Baby Asma felt her patience wear thin, other moms took turns to decorate the little girls hands. Alhumdulillah, the mehindi dried fast and the girls washed it off quickly to play.


Grab the Bag:
Bag filled with a treat suspended above a door frame, the girls had to bring it down on their own. After puzzling over it a bit, the girls took turns climbing the door frame and reaching up for it, Masha'Allah, it was down soon and the girls distributed the sweet boxes equally amongst themselves.

Put the Apple in the Tree:
This version of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" was provided by Umm Uzair. The girls soon organized themselves and played the game, enjoying and watching each other's efforts, as the mothers relaxed and enjoyed each other's company Masha'Allah..

 

Bursting Balloons:

The balloons for the party were blown by little Maria, who also suggested we have a game of balloon bursting, as she put all the effort into blowing them up Masha'Allah how could we refuse?

 DIY Lunch:
After the success of the Do-It-Yourself meal with the boys, we put it together for the girls, other than the burgers which the girls made themselves Masha'Allah, the menu offered macaroni salad, juice and a chocolate fudge cake. Umm Sofia also brought two tea cakes to compliment the menu. All present found it yummy meal and a fun to do activity.

  

Unfortunately, the hostess had to leave the party early to attend her Quran/Arabic class, but before she left, HBAP distributed gifts to her guests:

 

Aprons with little clips to wear hidden in the pocket for the girls and for the babies; sets of pink coloured measuring spoons (a fav. ZBAP rattle) in keeping with or unspoken of kitchen theme. Hafsa and Umm Uzair also brought a gift for the guests; packages consisting of sweets and cake with a doll.

Alhumdulillah, all had fun.

"I liked it. The fun part was having sweets and playing with balloons. I liked the burgers. Umm Sofia put mehendi on my hand. I gave everybody aprons, there was a gift in it. Hafsa - Hiba's friend, also gave us gifts. "- Hibatullah

(The older boys were out all day, ABAP at his class, QBAP, IBAP and MBAP were first at Arabic class and then stayed at Abbi's office where they spent time with Uzair (also hanging there while his mom and sisters attended the party) and had lunch there, till it was time to leave for Quran/Arabic class with HBAP.)

Arabic Classes

Alhumdulilllah QBAP, IBAP and MBAP have joined a summer Arabic Class (began 1st June ends 8th July). It objectives are : Arabic communication and writing skills, and rules to help Quranic comprehension. So the three boys attend this class every morning.

The instructor, Brother Ibrahim Ali,  has studied at Madinah University (he and his younger brother led Taraweeh at Zia bhai's house some years ago).

The children's afternoon Quran Class has arranged to have him teach Arabic three days a week (conducting their regular Nazra class twice a week) during this summer as well. This allows the boys to revise and reinforce what they learn in the morning and HBAP is able to learn here too.  The morning course the boys attend is more intensive though.

Masha'Allah, the children are enjoying the classes and have begun making simple Arabic sentences (and even teasing each other in Arabic too!). The boys even enjoy identifying the meaning of some of the words in the Quran when revising their lesson for class Alhumdulillah.

HBAP completes Kindergarten

HBAP's KG Certificate

Alhumdulillah HBAP has completed both Brain Quest Pre-k and Kindergarten Workbooks (finished last week) over the last few months. As she progressed through her work books she showed increasing concentration on her work. Earlier she seemed unable to focus on her work and would make up her own tasks, but over time (once she began the Brain Quest books) she began to follow instructions, eager to complete each page and then go on to the next.
HBAP now retains the numbers and most alphabet names and sounds as well Alhumdulillah. She often tries to guess the beginning sounds of words when listening to others converse and read and will identify letters of words she sees on sign boards, books, newspapers and cereal boxes. ....and whats more she's having fun!

HBAP's choice of celebration treat:
Truffles

HBAP chose to begin the Brain Quest First Grade Workbook immediately Alhumdulillah and looks forward to learning to read. She is still learning to read the Quran from her Qaida and Alhumdulillah has started reading selected words from the Amma para and often tries to read words from it on her own.

Chocolate fudge cake to celebrate

Three Gilly Goats Tuff

The Piranis are members of the Book Worm Book Club, which meets weekly at the home of Umm Uzair. At the club a book is read to the members followed by a related activity. Occasionally the Piranis get the opportunity to host the club.  Recently we were able to host a very special event: Book Worm Club Presentations, were each family presented a play or recited poetry for the club members to enjoy.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentations,  each of which depicted the uniqueness of each family. One of the little boys began the event by reciting Surah Fatiha. Then  the show began. Plays varied from a family depicting the first day at Arabic class - explaining the importance of learning Arabic. A comic display of a mother using different methods to try and kill scurrying cockroaches (kids dressed with antlers and wings) - pointing out thought these living creatures are created by Allah SWT we are allowed to kill any insect which is a pest and can cause us harm and illness. A play in rhyme based on "Hickety, Pickety My Fat Hen" - teaching children to share with their friends and Insha'Allah they too will share with you when you are in need. Some of the younger children recited poetry and even a family who made a last minute appearance joined the fun by reciting some nasheed.

The Piranis Presented an adaption of their favourite book "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". The script went as follows:

SBAP:  I'm hungry. I'm going over the bridge to eat the grass. Trip trap, trip trap, trip trap.

IBAP:  Up jumped the troll! That's me, I'm going to eat you up!

SBAP:  Don't eat me eat the second billy goat gruff, she's big and fat.

IBAP:  Hmm, ok!

HBAP:  I'm going over the bridge to eat the grass! Trip trap, trip trap, trip trap!

IBAP:  Here I come! I'm going to eat you up!

HBAP: Don't eat me, eat the third billy goat gruff, he's big and fat.

IBAP:  Ok, skinny...

MBAP: Those goats seem to be having so much fun, why don't I go join them? Trip trap, trip trap, trip               trap.

IBAP:  Yum yum! I'm going to eat you up!

MBAP:  Oh no your not! I'm going to eat you up, get ready here I come...1, 2, 3.....

IBAP: Oh wait, wait, wait! You look kind of chubby and will probably give me a stomach ache. I think I'll let you go and eat the other two instead.

MBAP:  The Prophet Muhammed SAW said that you should want for your brother what you want for yourself, what makes you think you can hurt my brothers or me? (He butts the troll)

IBAP: (falls down screaming) Ahhh! I think I should find another job.

Alhumdulillah, the play went well, though we had a few lines eaten up. Unfortunately the first goat got a sudden case of stage fright, so a back up plan went in to action, with Ummi being Ummi goat holding her kid. All three goats had their nose painted black and coloured cheeks too, with the HBAP insisting on purple cheeks. each wore white socks which made them look like long goat ears.

After the show the club enjoyed their snacks which was followed by a certificate distribution ceremony. Alhumdulilllah it was a memorable day.

Jamad us Sani 1432

Cut and Paste

While the elder three worked to make a poster on microbes (more on that later) HBAP and SBAP wanted to make a poster too. So armed with old magazines, glue, scisscors and cereal box card board they made the following:

HBAP 5yrs

 "I have put pictures. I have coloured it. I have put stamps." - HBAP

SBAP 3 yrs

"I made my phone and I coloured mine and I colour something and I cut the toaster (meaning "poster") This made his elder brothers laugh, so he smiled and then added, "I made a hot toaster!"  - SBAP

Jamad us Sani 1432

For Your Eyes Only!

Last month, Ummi and HBAP attended a fund raiser Fashion Show, organized for The Children's Cancer Foundation. The venue was glitzy, dinner exquisite and clothing glamorous (even the models' outfits were beautiful!). But this was a fashion show with a difference:

The Ticket

- There were no men allowed into the venue
- a cubicle was erected where ushers collected guests' abayas
- all clothing on display were designed to cover the models awrah
- the background songs were specially recorded with all the music deleted
- photography was strictly prohibited
- The venue and catwalk were lent to the Cancer Foundation for free
- The models were beautiful and sophisticated and looked gorgeous in the designer outfits they wore (designed by some of the top local designers), though they were not professional models but women who volunteered for the occasion

The Imperial

Some of the Foundation's young patients (ranging from ages 4 to 6) also modeled some outfits, they shyly waved at the audience from the catwalk, to the song HELP! by the Beatles, bringing tears to the eyes of most of the audience. HBAP curiously asked why one of the little boys with short hair was wearing a skirt, Ummi explained the child was a girl but her hair was very short because she was sick. This affected HBAP and she explained this to her brothers and father when she got home. 

 Prize Won By HBAP!

Designers Umbreen and Sharmeen had arranged a lucky draw for the occasion and Masha'Allah HBAP won one of the gifts. Even the master of ceremonies was surprised to see 5 year HBAP come up to claim the prize. Her Mumani WK won the next prize, Masha'Allah) As we left the venue we were able to bring home some of the lovely flowers that adorned the tables. 

It was a lovely occasion where we could comfortably let our hair down and enjoy a show put together for our eyes only.

The Pirani Papers

The last month had the even little Piranis dashing for the newspapers, with so much to pour through, we asked the little ones to cut out some pictures they liked to make newspapers of their own. The following is their work (unedited) they cut and pasted on their own and chose the names themselves (even SBAP). So here are the Pirani Papers (Rab-us-Sani'1432/ March'11) - uncensored :


SPORTS: editor - IBAP (age 9) featuring: Lots of Cricket!

CRICKET: editor - MBAP (age 7) features: Even more cricket!

THE DATE: editor- HBAP (age 5) featuring: Somebody got hurt, Mr. Bean, Cricket and a Dunkin Donuts advertisment

THE WATERFALL: editor : SBAP (age 3) featuring: Mr Bean, Camel and Snow, including exclusive art work by SBAP

5 Jamad ul Awwal 1432

Brainy Books: Book Quest workbooks

At a previous the Book Worm Club meeting, a Sister had brought over some of the work books her daughters are using. Amongst them were a set of simple colourful workbooks called Brain Quest. These books are attractive and fun. Each book is divided into sections for Science, Language arts (grammar), various components of Math, reading, writing (phonics and alphabets for young grades), social studies (American) and a some quiz card sheets to be cut out and used.

Though very basic, I wanted something simple to start off our next three months of "focus on reading, comprehension and writing skills", so these books were met the needs of our 5yr old, 7yr old and 9yr old. They are infused with colour and the work isn't crammed onto a single page, so it even looks like fun. We've bought numerous books in the past for our 5 yr old, but she would be unable to following some instructions and in some cases prefer to make her own. In this book (pre-k) she doesn't want to put the book down and really enjoys it, and loves to choose a sticker (also provided) to put on her page when she's done. Her work has become a game.

Our 7yr old and 9yr old are working with these books willingly too, they choose which math component they want to attempt and may squirm with parts of the writing, but not for long Alhumdulillah. These books also help me decide when to pull the brake on the day's work so I'm not forcing them to attempt several pages of various books in one day, and we then have time to read other things, (I can concentrate on the 11yr old's reading and 3 yr old too) and they get time to review their Quran lesson and play as well.

Interestingly, when our 5yr old daughter was working on a page about our world, she was instructed to circle the pictures depicting things we do at home (girl sleeping in bed, family eating a meal) one of the pictures portrayed kids sitting on the floor in front of a woman with a blackboard behind them - school ! She circled that too! (we "school" at home:)

29 Muharram 1432