Kitchen Chemistry Begins

As elder brother QBAP (15 yrs) delves into his  O level chemistry text book, the lil ones are dappling in the kitchen to learn a little about Kitchen Chemistry. The first lesson :  how substances react to one another.  The three chemical changes viewed were:

1. Vinegar and baking soda: They began with vinegar (French , Vin- wine, agar-sour) Pouring vinegar onto baking soda caused a bubbling, frothing "fountain" releasing carbon dioxide into the air. Much to SBAP (7 yrs) ZBAP (5 yrs) and BBAP (2 yrs) excitement, pouring more vinegar to the solution after it stopped frothing, caused it to rise again.

2. Vinegar and milk: Adding vinegar to boiling milk caused the curds (fat, protein) to separate. When filtering it, the children observed the liquid that remained was almost  clear, and the white curds/ cottage cheese was set aside and later used to make lasagne Alhumdulillah.

Mystery Substance

3. Mystery Substance: The lil' ones, then helped make a mystery substance, and had to guess what it was once done. They stirred 2 cups of flour with 1 cup of salt, then added 2 cups water and 2 tablespoons oil , finally adding 1 teaspoon cream of tartar and some food colour of their choice. Ummi then heated it on a low flame and Voila! All done. The new substance was set aside to cool ...can you guess what this was?

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)

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

"It Rained So Fast" as narrated by SBAP age 3

It rained so fast and it fell on our head, and we went in the rain. I tell HJay Mamu it rained so fast and IBAP said its raining, it full of drops on me. I watched the rain on the bike  and I took HBAP’s bike in (out of the rain water) HJay Mamu , QBAP and IBAP and MBAP and ABAP they played cricket in the balcony it was still rain. They didn’t let me play. I made a cricket ball ABAP did not let me throw it. The ball hit HJay Mamu when QBAP hit the ball!

Microscope adventures: The Scope of things

Be it a microscope, telescope or even a kaliedscope, these tools help us see the world beyond the obvious and making us conscious of how limited our personal observations are. Being inspired from a link in our Usborne book of Microscopes, the children photgraphed closes ups of everyday objects, can you guess what they are?

plastic bag by SBAP age3



baby's shape sorter by SBAP




belt buckle by QBAP age 12




yo-yo by QBAP




hairbrush by QBAP



cupboard door knob by IBAP



ariel view of bedside drawer by IBAP



marker mark on white board by IBAP

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: Pirani's Rock and kabab Roll

The elder boys often take over the kitchen to put together a sandwich dinner, this time the younger ones were given the opportunity to prepare a Kabab Roll dinner, under the guidance of Chef QBAP.  AfterUmmi completed slicing and dicing the veggies stayed clear of the kitchen as the BAP's took over.

IBAP frying Parhatas

The Parhattas were fried by IBAP (age10) and MBAP (age 8), while QBAP came around taking orders. though seekh kababs in parhattas were the main ingredients, toppings varied to the taste of the various members in the family; onions, capsicum, cheddar cheese, mayo, mustard, cream cheese and Peri Peri sauce.

MBAP and QBAP at work

Once the kababs were hot (microwave) and the parhatas fried the three boys worked together to prepare the rolls according to each family member's taste, Masha'Allah. Needless to say they were delicious!

Rolls being prepared

 

Sorry no pictures of the served Kabab rolls, everyone was too hungry to take out snaps!

Seeing everyone busy, SBAP (age3) takes the opportunity to wash some dishes

Pirani Munchikins at the Mini Zoo

A block away from the Pirani home lies a Mini Zoo. This garden has a jogging track running around it an small enclosed zoo. SBAP especially enjoys being here because he can see the animals he loves in his story books in the flesh or feather.

Other major attractions of the park:

Desil run motorcycle

Jmuping castle for SBAP and ZBAP

Jumping castle with wall climbing for HBAP, MBAP and IBAP to enjoy

This little kitty was stretched out on a bench when SBAP ran up to stroke her. When SBAP was called way it followed him to the park gates and rubbed itself against SBAP's legs, enjoying the attention QBAP and SBAP gave it. As their brothers joined them in caressing the kitty, a sibling of the kitty joined the group too.

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

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