My son will be in 2nd grade. I'm wondering what most of you do/have done for science in the early grades? I'm re-thinking everything I had planned. I don't want to over-do it with my son because he has a very short attention span. I want to make sure we do the "3 R's" daily and then build on that. It's just hard coming to decisions on how to do everything.
I used Sonlight Science 2 (which is now C) last year. I like Sonlight because the readings are very easy to manage and there are normally only 2-4 questions for dd to answer each day. We also used Apologia Astronomy through our co-op. We did a bunch of mini books with that and it was a little overwhelming at times. I think it would have been much better if we used one of the new Apologia notebooks.
Honestly, I wish I'd used Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding.. I will for TBA and I may pick up the grade 3-5 book for my son. Science is one of those subjects where learning how to think is as or even more important then content. BFSU looks like it does that beautifully. It's also a bit different from the normal programs so it might be a welcome break from desk work.
In the early years I think exploration is the best way to go about science. Depending on your budget I would get things like dinosaur dig kits, ant farms, beetle barns, snap circuits, microscope, fish tank, caterpillars, grow things outside, and more. I would also spend time going to places like the zoo, planetarium, or a science museum. Then add kids books from the library on topics of interest (i.e. read a book about ants when you put ants in your new ant farm). Bill Nye and Magic School Bus videos are also great. Bill Nye is available online at http://www.gamequarium.org/cgi-bin/search/dirs.cgi?lv=3&ct=SqoolTube_Videos-Science-Bill_Nye_Videos Magic School Bus used to be there, but you can still find many episodes on YouTube. Your local library will likely have them too. If you are looking for a more structured set-up and hands-on at the same time Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method is a good book.
I used Konos for all of elementary (Science & History). It goes right alongside 3 R's and if you have a child with a "short attention span" they will probably enjoy the activities more than a worksheet or textbook. It is customizable or you can follow the suggested lesson plans. I also used Magic School Bus videos and Moody Science videos and lots of time outside in the Spring and Fall.
It is good that you realize that he may not do so well with a bunch of "school" type work. I think if you keep that in mind, you should be fine with just about anything you choose. If you choose a curriculum, just don't push too hard and you can always discuss what is going on instead of making it a written assignment. If you choose to wing it, you can go to the library and read to him and have him read some about just about anything scientific. Whatever you choose this is not a life altering choice. He will be exposed to science throughout his years and this is a great time to relax things so you can focus on the basics.
I would say at that age that so much of science should be experiential and not formal, worksheety type stuff. Don't get me wrong, you can record observations, BUT not a sit down, in the box, answer these questions type of thing. Grow bean seeds and put one in a closet, don't water one, or my favorite at that age is put a soaked bean seed (24 hours) in a zippie bag on top of a wet paper towel. Seal well and tape to a window that gets sun (seed side towards the inside of the house so you can watch it). We do this every year - just so fun to see the seed sprout and watch it, etc. My kids just keep a picture journal - I print out those blank topped writing papers from donnayoung.org. They draw a picture of what they see, and write ONE sentence on it (well, my oldest has to be more detailed). Raise butterflies. Do a nutrition study - so much free and inexpensive stuff online that make this fun. Read books. Study bugs. Etc. Skip curriculum and let natural curiosity take over. For my youngest this year - her science was the Liberty Press Nature Reader for Kindergarten. We'd read the page, she'd draw a picture of the animal we read about, then we'd go exploring on line about what they looked like in real life. Sometiems I was able to find a video at the library to make it even more fun. Anyway. Make it fun. The 3 R's are sometimes NOT fun, but must be done. Just my opinion!
Wow, thank you all for such wonderful advice and ideas! To be honest, we live in the country and are constantly exploring and talking about all sorts of things. I guess what we are doing is fine at his age. Thanks so much! Krista, I love the bean idea.
Just wanted to mention that the posts above are why I reccomended BFSU. It's very much built around exactly the kind of exploration and play that other posters were describing. More of a companion for you then a text for your child.
We're using Apologia zoology 2 and a book on snakes/reptiles and a subscription to Reptiles magazine for our science this year for my 2nd grader We love APologia here
