maple syrup – Pollywog's Place Blog

Maple syrup is just one of those things that reminds me of the snowy winters in Pennsylvania… makes me a little homesick. I can remember going on an overnight field trip, and we got to tap some Maple Trees… then we had a big breakfast of pancakes and syrup that they had made beforehand… it was so good!

I sure don’t miss the cold, but I do miss the syrup, so I have to get some every so often and make good use of it. I like it on my pancakes and French Toast, but the kids like it more when it is used as a flavoring. We also like to use it to sweeten our coffee!

Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Creamy Maple Frosting printable recipe

Smoky Maple Walnuts

Sourdough Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Crockpot Pumpkin Butter

Easy Chia Pudding

Do you have any favorite recipes using Maple Syrup?

**This post may contain affiliate links to some of the products and resources that we have used. These are provided at no extra charge to you and help to support our blog and family if a purchase is made through these links. -Thank you!

Here are our Lesson Plans For Science

On weeks where there are several activities listed just choose a couple that interest you the most to work on.

Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.

Week 1: Chapters 1 & 2

1. Read about bears or watch a video about bears.

Older kids can also work on a report about bears. The report needs to include behavior, habitat, and diet.
- Bears: Polar Bears, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears
- Time for bed, Little Bear

Discuss what you learned.
Bear Coloring Page
This was also a fun activity for the younger kids: Itsy Bitsy Bear Book

For the Little Ones:

2. Read about panthers or watch a video about panthers.

Older kids can also work on a report about panthers. The report needs to include behavior, habitat, and diet.
- Black Panther: A Children Pictures Book About Black Panther With Fun Black Panther Facts and Photos For Kids
- Florida Animals for Everyday Naturalists

Discuss what you learned.
Panther Coloring Page

3. Research Microbes and Bacteria.

Microbes and Bacteria

Discuss what you learned.
How do they affect us?

4. What is Density?

Complete a Density activity **
- All About Density Worksheet
- 9 Simple Experiments to Learn about Density
- Summer Density
- We used Lakeshore STEM Science Station – Sink or Float for an independent learning activity all week. The kids explored it on their own whenever the wanted to.

Bonus Lesson: Why did the fire burn different colors? (Parental supervision needed for some activities!)

Discuss what you learned.
Ask your parents if you can have a campfire and use these Cosmic Magical Flame packets to watch the flames change colors.

Week 2: Chapters 3 & 4

1. Read about owls or watch a video about owls.

Older kids can also work on a report about owls. The report needs to include behavior, habitat, and diet.
- Owls (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series)
- All About Owls

Discuss what you learned.
Owl Coloring Page

2. What is Rust?

Discuss what you learned.

3. Study the respiratory system.

Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.

Discuss what you learned. What illnesses affect the respiratory system?
Top 10 Fun Breathing Exercises For Kids
Use a stethoscope to listen to someone’s lungs. What do you hear?
Complete an activity. **
- We used the Human Body Activity Tub from Lakeshore Learning for activities and Independent Learning.
- Breathe In Breathe Out Chest Vest p. 58 Easy Make & Learn Projects: Human Body
- How do lungs work? Make a model lung

Week 3: Chapters 5, 6, & 7

1. Study the Digestion system.

Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.

Discuss what you learned. How does our body get rid of toxins?
Complete an activity. **
- We used the Human Body Activity Tub from Lakeshore Learning for activities and Independent Learning.
- Digestion Post Swallow, Swallow p. 72 Easy Make & Learn Projects: Human Body
- Worksheets, Color Pages, and Activities
- A Trip Through the Digestive System (Apologia A & P) Warning: This is a little GROSS!
- Bonus points for watching this video on the Heimlich Maneuver.

2. Research Maple Trees

Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Trees (National Geographic Kids Ultimate Explorer Field Guide)

Describe how to identify a Maple Tree.

3. Research about collecting maple syrup.

Discuss what you have learned.
Write out the process for making Maple Syrup. Use this Sequencing Worksheet.
Bonus: Draw a picture to go with your project.

Week 4: Chapters 8 & 9

Research and Study animal tracks.
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species
- Animal Tracks: North American Animals A to Z

Discuss what you learned.
Complete an activity.
- Save animal tracks as plaster casts
- Animal Tracks Match-Up
- Making Play dough Tracks (You could also draw the tracks by hand in the dough.)
- Animal Track Plot

2. Study the skin.

Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.

Discuss what you learned. What are calluses and how do they form?
Complete an activity.
- What’s in Skin? p. 41 Easy Make & Learn Projects: Human Body
- Human Skin Crafts & Activities