Big Green Chair

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What Is Big Green Chair?

It's Big. Big Green Chair is a big idea.  It's intent is to gather and grow a community … keep reading

Miquon Workbook, Labsheet Annoataions, and Cuisinaire Rods

Thoughts on Miquon, Mental Math, and Math Facts

For the elementary years in our homeschool we use an math program called Miquon which is a … keep reading

Homeschool Geek Week

This week is Homeschool Geek Week here at the blog. We are hosting a series on the Secular … keep reading

Tello!

David May 14, 2018

Tello!

I want to start this article by stating that I am in no way compensated or sponsored by Ryze, DJI, or any other company for this article. Recently Ryze released a drone (quadcopter) that uses technology from DJI and Intel to make a very stable user … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Big Green Chair, How to be a...

Build a Crossbow from Legos

David July 30, 2016

Build a Crossbow from Legos

Our boys love LEGOs.  They are usually at the top of their lists for birthday or Christmas presents.  Our boys also love weapons and artillery - especially if they can build them out of LEGOs. So I wasn't all that surprised a few years ago when my oldest … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Construct Tagged With: LEGO Crossbow, LEGO Crossbow Tutorial, LEGO Tutorial, LEGOs

We’re Now On Scratch!

Amber April 22, 2016

We’re Now On Scratch!

The younger set of boys are itching to learn Scratch. In an effort to be responsible and oversee their time online I (Amber) decided to join them and make it a family affair. I created a Big Green Chair Scratch user profile and gave the boys an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, How to be a... Tagged With: homeschoolgeek, How To Be A Coder, iterative design, iterative learning, learn to code, programming literacy, teach kids to code, teach kids to program

3D Printing Over the Network Using Sketch-up and Octoprint

David September 11, 2015

3D Printing Over the Network Using Sketch-up and Octoprint

While I'm still loving my PrintrBot Simple Metal I fell out of love with the noise it made while it shared my desk. I now have my 3D printer in a far corner but still accessible from the network - it is a huge help for my sanity.  I can monitor my prints … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology Tagged With: 3D printer, 3D printing, Cura, Homeschool Dad, homeschoolgeek, Octoprint, printrbot simple metal, Raspberry Pi, Sketchup

What is a Robot?

Amber August 14, 2015

What is a Robot?

It is a queer feeling to know that I have made myself into a footnote in the history of science and technology for having invented the foundation of a science that didn’t exist at the time – and that I did it at the age of twenty-one. ~Isaac Asimov The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Local, Science Tagged With: bb-8, bigdog, Dagna Bieda, festo third hand, history of robotics, humanoid, isaac asimov, iterative learning, james bruton, Josef Kapek, Karl Capek, nao, robot, Robotics, spherical robot, three laws of robotics, Unimate, YETI Robotics

Learn to Code Without a Computer

Amber August 13, 2015

Learn to Code Without a Computer

Often people start learning to program by learning a programming language. With this approach, though the important thinking in creating a program can get lost in the syntax of the computer language you are trying to learn. I realized this for myslef when … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, How to be a..., Math Tagged With: homeschoolgeek, How To Be A Coder, learn to code, math games, programming literacy, programming toys, teach kids to code, teach kids to program

Craft and the Modern Maker Movement

Amber August 11, 2015

Craft and the Modern Maker Movement

"…we know that the human hand is a wonderful and exquisite instrument to be used in a hundred movements exacting delicacy, direction and force; every such movement is a cause of joy as it leads to the pleasure of execution and the triumph of success. We … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Handcrafts, How to be a..., Local Tagged With: Arts and Crafts, Charlotte Mason, David Lang, handcraft, homeschool, homeschoolgeek, Maker, Maker Culture, MakerSpace Charlotte, William Morris, Zero to Maker

Design Through Iterative Learning

David August 10, 2015

Design Through Iterative Learning

This weeks posts are derived from a talk I gave this summer at the Hints Book Fair in Matthews, NC.  My talk was titled 'Are You A Homeschool Geek?', but a large part was dedicated to the design process.  I referred to it as iterative learning. If  you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Construct, Handcrafts Tagged With: design process, how to weave a potholder, iterative design, iterative learning, potholder designs, potholders

New Homeschool Voices Page

Amber August 10, 2015

New Homeschool Voices Page

We interrupt Homeschool Geek Week for a quick public service announcement. We have a new place on the blog!  Click on over to Homeschool Voices and take a look at our plans for this space. We would love to have you join the conversation. Now back to our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Big Green Chair, Homeschooling Voices

Welcome  Secular Homeschoolers!

Amber August 10, 2015

Welcome Secular Homeschoolers!

Good morning! Thanks for visiting our blog. We have an exciting week planned for you and we are so looking forward to our conversations. Before we get off the runway did you notice that the Professor  has a construction cone on his head?! That's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Challenges, Construct, How to be a... Tagged With: design process, homeschool, homeschoolgeek, homeschoolscience, iteration, iterative design, paper airplanes, Robotics, usfirst

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CONSTRUCT!

CONSTRUCT! is an eNewsletter for families interested in building techniques, ideas and projects. Issues are random surprises in your email inbox! Each issue includes:

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Recent Posts

  • Tello! May 14, 2018
  • Build a Crossbow from Legos July 30, 2016
  • We’re Now On Scratch! April 22, 2016
  • 3D Printing Over the Network Using Sketch-up and Octoprint September 11, 2015
  • What is a Robot? August 14, 2015

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