Hi, I'm looking for a science curriculum for my 2nd grader. Any suggestions? Anyone use Real Science Odyssey or Real Science for Kids? Thanks! Heather
Science for 2nd grade, IMO, should be as hands on and fun as possible. Whatever you use, make sure it has plenty of experiments, field trips and hands on nature studies.
Do you want something that is Christian or secular, or does it matter? I am currently using Great Science Adventures (The World of Tools and Technology) by Dinah Zike for a co-op class, grades K-2. I've used it before when my kids were younger, and can't remember anything that would be an issue either direction.
I've used RS4K. I got it super-duper cheap (and still in the plastic) at a used bookstore. It was "just ok". It was way too simplistic, and my son mostly just liked it for the pictures. It definitely wasn't worth paying full price. For what was in it, we could've found free on the internet.
I used a lot of subject books from the library and videos for science. We also took hikes and field trips. Elementary grade science is more of a survey approach anyway, so just we just let them have some freedom to learn about what they wanted in addition to reading the books I gave them from the library. It worked for us, my 5 grader is now using High School level science books.
Awesome suggestion about library books! There are mountains of science based books in the kid's section. (Elle checked out and read hundreds of them) It's a great way to incorporate science and reading...and to give kids a lot of choice to follow their interests.
