Engineering K'NEX, Life = Learning

We made the rounds of the resale shops yesterday looking for treasures, and Tyler found a grocery cart full of K'NEX for $9.

We negotiated that we would purchase it but it would have to be a loan, and he would have to agree to pay us back.
1) Finance lesson - this was a very short term loan, since he had the money at home, and we expected immediate repayment.

As soon as we got home, the boys sorted out all the different pieces, and dad went online to find some instructions.
2) Math Lesson - Jacob (2yr) sorted by colors & shapes; Ethan & Tyler sorted more methodically, organizing different types of connections.

Once some designs were printed out, the boys began to figure out what they could build. Tyler has also began to imagine and hypothesize alterations he can make to the designs using different parts and to create different effects.
3) Lessons in Math/Logic/Engineering/Science

4) Lesson in patience - A 2 year old who desperately wants to help isn't always helpful, but we have to treat him with love anyway.

We are not doing school today, we are building K'NEX and we are learning a lot!

The author of this blog: Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of 6, help meet to her husband and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net