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Archimedes lesson

April 6, 2011 Ticia 10 Comments

Now tell me the truth, who as soon as I said Archimedes lesson thought of the little owl from Sword in the Stone (affiliate link)?

Or was that just me?  In reality, the owl from the Sword in the Stone could make a fun homeschool history lesson as you send your kids off to find out more about the real person…..  But, that’s not this lesson.  This lesson is about ancient history, and the scientific principles Archimedes devised.

Archimedes lesson on displacement and density

(as you can tell there are affiliate links in here)

But really, let’s talk about this Archimedes lesson

For history last week in Mystery of History 1, one of our lessons was Archimedes and his many discoveries and how smart he was in matters of science.  Not so much, according to story, in his real life.  He may have been the founder of the absent-minded professor archetype.

Archimedes density lesson for preschool

But, back to my point.  Archimedes discovered the concept of mass and density, one day while in his bathtub.  Now, I suppose I could have done this lesson with a bathtub, but that would get into modesty issues and all that, so instead we used some metal toys.

We dropped them in and discovered, shocker of all shockers the water level did rise just like it did for Archimedes.  Now the water level also fell at an astonishing rate because of the imperfect seal of our sink.  I should have done this in a pot or something.

 

I also should have chosen things more dramatic than Batman, Martian Manhunter, and a matchbox car.  They were all metal and seemed hefty enough.

Archimedes density lesson for preschool

 

And, in case you were wondering, the little army men are still wildly popular.  That is now the preferred way of listening to history while enacting their Civil War battles with the cannons over and over and over again.  But, Lego history is still a favorite in our house, and my preferred method because I don’t have to spend HOURS, HOURS I say cutting them out.

 

I have requests for more guys.  They don’t realize how long it takes to cut out all of those little guys.  Really it takes FOREVER……., But they make great reenactments.  Seriously.

 

 

Want some more in-depth ideas on Greeks or Archimedes?

pumpkin sink or float
Greek slave entertaining thousands with his fables
ancient greek lesson greek pottery
  • For density, here’s another great early learner lesson: Will a pumpkin float?
  • For Greeks try out: Greek columns
  • Or another famous (almost) Greek: Alexander the Great

Or check out the entirety of Ancient History here at Adventures in Mommydom.

history, science ancient history, Mystery of History 1

Comments

  1. Raising a Happy Child says

    April 6, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    I remember reading that Archimedes was presented with the task first to figure out if the king's crown jewels are fake or genuine. Then he figured out the way to do it by submerging the crown in the water and looking at the displaced volume. I really don't think daughter would get any of it just yet though.

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    April 6, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Cool history and science lesson. I think my kids would like this one.

    Reply
  3. Christy says

    April 6, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Very cool!

    Reply
  4. An Almost Unschooling Mom says

    April 6, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    I wonder if I can still find our copy of Sword in the Stone…

    Reply
  5. Wonder Mom says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    Of COURSE I thought of the owl from “The Sword in the Stone” as soon as I saw your title post…

    Reply
  6. MaryAnne says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Okay, now I am totally thinking about that owl!

    Reply
  7. Myrnie says

    April 6, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    I love this!! Why do sinks even have stoppers? Does anybody use them really? Our sinks drain in about five minutes.

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    April 7, 2011 at 2:12 am

    My kids love any experiment that involves water. This looks like a fun experiment.
    https://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  9. Kim says

    April 7, 2011 at 3:14 am

    I TOTALLY thought of the owl! That is hilarious.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A-Z of Hands on History, Day 1 | Adventures in MommydomAdventures in Mommydom says:
    January 7, 2013 at 5:46 am

    […] Archimedes- Re-enact his famous experiment and discover density.  No need to also run through the streets naked, or another idea for Archimedes […]

    Reply

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Ticia Adventures in Mommydom Hi, I'm Ticia! This is the adventures of my family in life and learning. Follow along with us as we share our adventures. We're having a lot of fun and learning as we go.

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