Each story in the Zoey and Sassafras series features a new magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science. There isn't a set formula for each book; Zoey sometimes needs to run experiments, while other times she needs to investigate a mystery, and yet other times she needs to do research. Zoey models how to keep a science journal through her handwritten entries in each story. Each story is complete with a glossary of the kid-friendly definitions for scientific terms used.-Amazon-

In this class we will read and discuss the first 4 books of the Zoey and Sassafras series written by Asia Citro. During class we will read a chapter together, have a discussion, and then do an experiment and/or project related to each book. Students will have the option of sharing their projects or experiment results during the following class. Students are encouraged to read out loud but are not required to. Students will learn about the scientific method, reptiles vs. mammals, carnivores vs. herbivores, in what conditions mold grows best, how salt affects vegetables and ice, and the basics of acids, bases and PH.

Meeting 1
Begin Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows
Scientific Method
Start Science Journal

Homework: 
-Read all of Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallow(Book 1)
-Finish Science journal

Meeting 2
Share animal journals
Set up mold experiment

Homework
-Read Zoey and Sassafras: Monsters and Mold(Book 2)
-observe experiment

Meeting 3
Share experiment observations
pH experiment

Homework
-Read Zoey and Sassafras: Merhorses and Bubbles(Book 3)
-experiment on your own

Meeting 4
Report experiment results
Science Journal
salt experiment

Homework
-Read Zoey and Sassafras: Caterflies and Ice(Book4)
-Record observations in Science Journal

Meeting 5
Share Science Journal observations
Insect life cycles
Experimenting with salt and ice

*I will be doing all of the experiments during class but if you want your child to be able to do the experiments with me during class and the optional homework experiments, they will need the following supplies: 5 sandwich bags, a gallon size plastic ziplock bag, a piece of bread, 1/3 cup of salt, 1/2 cup half and half, 1 Tablespoon of sugar, a potato, 3 cups of ice cubes, Litmus pH paper Test Strips, 1-14 ($3.65 from Amazon)