Chapter 8- Basement Laboratory

Chapter Summary-
Tom's Schooling continues to be a trial. Tom makes friends easily, but Mr. Crawford becomes increasingly negative toward Tom. One day, after Tom asks a question, the schoolmaster yells at Tom and calls him "addled." Tom runs home weeping, and his mother mother promises he does not have to return to school again. Mrs. Edison understands that questions and curiosity are the way that children learn. She decides to teach him at home.

Michael Oates, the boy who has stolen Toms lunch box, comes to work for the Edison family. He and Tom become good friends. Michael and the other children wish they could be taught by Mrs. Edison, too. Tom always seems to be having a good time.

One day Mrs. Edison teaches Tom about a branch of science called chemistry. Tom is fascinated by this and studies a book which he sees a laboratory. Tom decides he wants to make his own laboratory so he and Michael Oates set out to collect various bottles. Then Tom makes labels for them and fills them with a variety of items (feathers, dried corn, flour etc..) Its just pretend, but Tom thinks his laboratory is wonderful! Mrs. Edison lets Tom set his bottles on a table in the basement and Tom is thrilled!

What we will cover in this chapter:
Science: The Different Branches of Science, Experiments


Science- The different branches of Science, Experiments.
Tom was learning about an area of Physical Science called chemistry. We discussed the different branches of science.The kids completed a page in their science workbook. Lily and Aj also completed experiments using 2 science kits we bought. The first was making a clock using potatoes and the second was making a light work with water.

Thanks for Reading!