Don't shoot, all you science lovers! I need help! Last year we did lapbooks on various topics that complemented our history lessons or on subjects the kiddos were interested in. The last few months, we delved into R.E.A.L. Science Life, and it was engaging and pretty fun. We had science 2x/week. Fast forward to this year (4th and 2nd), and not only are my 2 kiddos needing different types and levels of teaching (my 4th grader could use something that moves a little quicker), but because I am having to do SO MUCH supplementing for LA and Math for each of them, I am running out of time and energy to do labs every session. I am open to living books, textbooks, a ready-made curriculum...however, it needs to be teacher-led (my kiddos are very auditory learners and are far more engaged with me directly teaching). I have considered going through each of their "What Your ____ Grader Needs to Know" Core Knowledge books rather cursorily, adding plenty of living books for the 2nd grader and some lab work; and possibly using one of Apologia's science courses (probably Botany or Astrology) for the 4th grader. Any suggestions for us that are not so heavy with the labwork, yet still engaging? Or is this just wishful thinking :lol: Thank you!
Have you checked out Real Science 4 Kids? Also Core Knowledge (What Every ___ grader needs to know) has lesson plans here: 4th Grade Lesson plans (Here is a link to all the grades just in case anyone else needs to know: Core Knowledge Lesson plans They use a mix of the Core Knowledge books and living books. (I haven't used the science ones but the history ones were great)
You might find Rod & Staff useful (or not). Their science is in textbooks, definitely teacher-led. There are suggestions for projects, demonstrations, etc., but you can pick and choose or do them as you wish. They're not expensive. You might wish to have the younger just follow along with the older, or you could go for the in-between book and do it together. (There is no second grade book in this series; it starts in third.) You can do a ton orally, or you can have the older write the vocabulary and questions in a notebook. If you prefer, the younger could even make a lapbook instead of answering textbook questions. There are no prepacked kits, but all the materials needed for demonstrations are readily available, IF you choose to do them. You can choose to do the tests or not. They tend to describe things as they are now, rather than make a big deal every year about Young Earth/Old Earth or whatever. www.rodandstaffbooks.com
I don't know what your budget is like but Switched on School house has a science only program. If your got the 3rd grade one, your older child could work at their pace and your younger child at theirs.
I'd go the library book/living books route. Pick a topic and check out books on the topic. Read aloud and discuss them with your kids. Do any demonstrations listed in the book that interest everyone. Maybe you can have a lab time once a week or every so often where your kids work with science kits/toys like Snap Circuits.
Thanks, everyone - lots to think over! I truly appreciate all of the ideas and am going to peruse each of them to determine our best course of action. If only I had half the love for science that I do for history!
I'm a dorky science lover (as are my dorky children), math scares me so I won't shoot if no one else will shoot me I'm a fan of apologia. We've used them in the past. Well laid out very good combination of living book meets textbook. There are plenty of labs for hands on learners but you can skip these if your kids are more auditory learners or you don't have time. The notebooking journals are nice as well (the schedule for each book is laid out int he front of the notebooking journals) I also like New Leaf Publishing (Master Books) We're using World of Animals for my 3rd grader this year. It's simple, we simply read 2 pages each day. No quiz, no labs, nothing. We'll be using the world of science next year These books are beautiful and well done. (these are not meant to be a full science curriculum but they make a nice spine or supplement to any homeschool) We're also doing living books for science like The Handbook of Nature Study (Free) There are tons of sites out there that give you lots of ideas on how to use this in you homeschool, the most well known being http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/ We're also doing Burgess Bird Book and Animal Book this year. The bird book has a nice companion site we use to easily locat more info on each bird. AiG has some nice resources as well, they even have many free books online at http://www.answersingenesis.org/cec/books#adam You might also find lots of help from my friend Marci who started http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/ because she is a science lover and knows how scared many homeschoolers are about teaching it, it's a great resource! And this was featured on homeschoolfreebieoftheday today http://eequalsmcq.com/ClassicScienceLife.htm I haven't looked at it yet but full curriculum, it says, for elementary life science.
WOW! I checked this post out for some great ideas as I stink at Science and I definitely got a lot of info! My oldest LOVES Science and it's something I definitely struggle with. So glad to see so many awesome ideas!
JosieB, thank you for all of the many resources! You all have been so wonderful (as usual)! I just asked my 4th grader what might interest him, and he was excited about the idea of going in-depth with zoology, so I think we may go the route of Apologia Zoology, then we will add in other realms of science from the Core Knowledge book and lesson plans. And since the 7-yr old wants to become a veterinarian and rainbow butterfly when she grows up, this may be perfect for her, too
