Or, how to totally gross your kids out in one easy history lesson!
Supplies:
1 dead chicken carcass [ours was skinned, gutted, and beheaded already]
3 cans salt
1 can baking powder
1 box baking soda
rubbing alcohol [since I don't buy wine]
freezer bags
spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves
paper towels
water
bowl
So this month we're studying the ancient Egyptians. And anytime you study them, you study pyramids, and treasures, and mummies :) Which is why we're making a mummy out of a chicken. I didn't get pictures- I was too busy juggling dead chickens and kids to even try.
We did this outside, so I didn't have to worry as much about the mess. First, we rinsed off the outside AND the inside of the dearly departed [chicken] with the hose. Then we patted it dry. That was popular- Morgen and Hyrum were dabbing at the chicken, almost afraid to touch it LOL. I had to dry the inside :). After it was pretty dry, we stuck it in a big bowl and poured alcohol over it. We could have used wine, but since I don't drink, I don't have any of that in my house. I know if I'd purchased some at the state liquor store, I would have run into somebody from my church. And the more you explain why you're doing something you wouldn't normally do, the more lame you sound, LOL. So, we stuck with rubbing alcohol.
We rinsed the carcass in the alcohol, then set it aside to dry a little. We mixed the salt with 1/2 a can of the baking powder and 1/2 a box of the baking soda, then sprinkled in the cinnamon and nutmeg. I added a handful of whole cloves and whole allspice, which I conveniently had on hand for my wassail recipe :). Then we patted the chicken dry again, and again I got the inside. For some reason, reaching into the chicken really grossed out my kids LOL. We poured some of the salt mixture into a bag, then stuffed the chicken inside, then poured more salt into its cavity. We packed the rest of the salt between the bag and the chicken's skin, then tried to seal it shut. I need bigger bags :). Anyway, we double-bagged the chicken, and set it back into the bowl, which I rinsed out first. The general consensus from the kids is that it smelled pretty good.
Currently, it is sitting on my counter, where we will be checking it daily to brush off the clumps of salt that have soaked up water, and adding more salty mixture to the chicken. If all goes well, we'll have a mummy in about 6 weeks. :)Just in time for Halloween!
We also did math, english, and spelling. I wouldn't want you to think this whole homeschooling thing is all fun and games ;).
9 comments:
Way to go. I can honestly say I don't think I could get past the gross factor to do this particular hands on exercise. You go girl!!! WHat a cool lesson though.
OMG, I have never heard of this, and no, I'm not as brave as you. Sounds like a cool lesson, tho. Will be anxious to see the results.
Sounds very interesting and definitely an experiment we never got to do in school.
The votes have been cast and counted, and it is unanimous:
You indeed are the coolest mom ever. And the bravest, too!
{{bobbing head}} Good times... :)
I'm so impressed! I have thought about mummifying the chicken but haven't actually done it. And the next time it will come up will be with Sarina, a good two years away. You will have to post pictures, of course around Halloween.
LOL!!!! I could see myself doing this, perhaps...great lesson, however, while reading this all I could think about was the food on the chandelier weirdness from that other blog MFP told us about;) Anyway, I expect PICTURES along the process!!
oh my gosh, you are a riot. Can't wait to see how the new birdy turns out. My kids would love to do something like this.
Maybe for a science fair project...
You my friend have seriously and successfully completely rung the bell not once but twice on my weirdness factor ball!!
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