I'm looking for an excellent Science program

for a 5th grade boy....preferably one that doesn't have 10 million experiments in it that requires buying a ton of stuff to be able to do....one that is very kid friendly....meaning not much Mom help needed.

Any suggestions for good, but relatively easy, ones? Any to run the other way from? Thanks!

 

There are lots :lol:

We're using Apologia Zoology 2 right now (swimming creatures). It has maybe one experiment per lesson and they are definitely optional.

My 5th grader is doing Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry & Physics (for 4-6th graders). They are each 10 weeks long. They have Bio also but she wasn't interested (yet).

SOS 5th grade (at least the 2007 ed) didn't have mandatory experiments because you could watch the video clip of them being done and then answer the questions.

 

You might like to look at Considering God's Creation ~ We used it in conjunction with Apologia General Science this year. Lots of clouring, cutting & pasting though so if you're not into that sort of stuff go with something else.

 

If you opt for something like CGC, I own it and would love to sell it It wasn't a good fit for our family (kids too far apart, too hands-on for me, not enough color pics). It's a good program though depending on your teaching style. It's not intended to be done independently though (or at least it didn't seem that way to me for my kiddos).

Rhonda

 

I would suggest Sonlight. I really like their science programs.

 

I vote for CGC also. I have it, too, but it's NOT for sale! I hope to use it again in a few years! When I did it, it took about 2 years to get through it, because I don't do science every day.

 

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about Sonlight. I'm going to have to give that one a look-see, thanks!

I left out an important criteria in my OP....it has to be Christian/Creation based. No evolution going on in our house! Any others? Are Lifepacs or ACE good? I've tried SOS with math and LA in the past and wasn't at all impressed with it. Maybe it would be better with science though...:?:

 

Sonlight is Creation based. The fifth grade one is on the human body, rocks and minerals, and has some word processing in it. We are doing it this year with Core 6. I just thought it looked like a fun one to do.

 

We like the Apologia and so far the experiments have been stuff that is easy to get your hands on. Nothing fancy.

 

After reading a bunch of homeschool science reviews last night I've decided to give Apologia a try. AND, I was able to find a brand new Exploring Creating with Astronomy book on eBay for LESS than the price at either the Apologia or Jeannie Fulbright websites... yeah! Most of the used Apologia books on eBay were just a few dollars less than a new one.

 

I looked at Sonlight's science but the cost was way more than I can invest in science at this time.

 

did I reply to this one? Considering Gods creation is my vote too! We love it!

 

I hunt out my Sonlight science and such used. I got my science 5 this year for $55. I think that is a great deal considering what they ask for it.

 

You did get a good deal. Even the used stuff on eBay was expensive.

Speaking of eBay.... has anyone else noticed that there seems to be less on there these days? I'm wondering if Craigslist, since it is free, is doing that much damage to eBay. I sure hate paying all the eBay and PayPal fees, but then I'm kind of leery of meeting up with a stranger after selling something on Craigslist... and PayPal is so convenient and safe. :|

 

I'm still partial to homeschoolclassifieds for my used stuff!

 

These aren't necessarily science programs, but books just full of experiments with things you have around the house AND that the child can do on their own or with very little supervision. My kids have been doing things out of these for the past year and rarely need my help. The other thing I like about them is that they give great in-depth explanations.

I'm including the search links for these books at half.com. Sometimes you can get these for as low as $0.75, with shipping at 3.49.

"The Science Explorer: Family Experiments from the World's Favorite Hands-On Science Museum"
http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Science-Explorer_W0QQprZ906158QQtgZinfo

"Exploratopia"
http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQprZ52619517QQcpidZ1374485341

" Science Experiments You Can Eat"
http://product.half.ebay.com/Science-Experiments-You-Can-Eat_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ24144

"More Science Experiments You Can Eat"
http://product.half.ebay.com/More-Science-Experiments-You-Can-Eat_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ38229
"We Dare You!: Hundreds of Fun Science Bets, Challenges, and Experiments You Can Do at Home"
http://product.half.ebay.com/We-Dare-You_W0QQprZ64428364QQtgZinfo

" Bet You Can'T!: Science Impossibilities to Fool You"
http://product.half.ebay.com/Bet-You-CanT_W0QQprZ104236QQtgZinfo

Carol

 

Rhonda- this looks very interesting! Are there a lot of supplies to buy also? Did you get the TE, student book and worksheets?

Last question- where did you get it? I saw it on Amazon but wasn't sure if they were the best price.

 

I ordered mine from Rainbow Resources. I bought the Combined TE (for Level 1 Bio, Chem, Physics), the student books for Chem & Physics, and the corresponding lab books. DD isn't interested in Bio BUT I hope to convince her after she does the other 2 and it was cheaper to get the combined then wait and get the 3 separate ones....plus I plan to use it with the younger ones down the road. The lab books can be photocopied for your immediate homeschool (not for co-op).

I like the fact that they books aren't overwhelming in appearance. For a kid that dislikes science as a general rule, seeing this thin (yet hardback) book isn't overwhelming. Each chapter is about 10 pages. And each book is for a 10 week period or so.

We haven't started it yet but the experiments that I've glanced at (in Physics I think), did not seem overly complicated but useful for a general understanding.

I'm trying to use this to show her that science CAN BE fun and educational at the same time

All of the items seem sturdy to hold up through our use and then to pass on down the road. The TE has LOTS of extra helps and explanations which is good since I really dislike high school chem & physics so I doubt I remember all I should (hopefully enough for a 5th grader though).

HTH

 

Bright Ideas Press has a Christian Kids Explore.... Series that is very interesting. My dd did the Chemistry book last year (5th grade) and LOVED it! Aside from Chemistry they also have Biology, Earth & Space and Physics. They're a good price too!

http://www.brightideaspress.com/catalog.htm#science

2 years ago dd did the Apologia ......Astronomy book. She really liked that one too! It didn't take nearly a whole year though, so you may want to do some extra activities to fiill in the rest of the year...

 

Apologia.