Jackie Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 After having looked at just about every science curriculum out there, and having read many threads here about unschooling science in the younger years, I've decided to do without a curriculum. Books should be easy to access; I'm fortunate to have a very good library. DD loved the Magic School Bus kits, but we're pretty well through those. What would you want for hands-on exploration for K-6? What I've thought of: - Lego Education kits - Zometool - Snap Circuits - microscope - chemistry set (anyone have a good one to recommend?) What else would be fun, educational, and encourage exploration? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Delta Science in a Nutshell kits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammish Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 My seven year old is really enjoying our first Home Science Adventure kit (http://www.homeschoolscience.com). We're doing magnets, but they have several others. I love having everything we need already in the box! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thanks for those! I've been having fun poking through the topics and the contents of the kits! Anyone else have ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleWMN Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 TOPS science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 With the exception of chemistry, most concepts can be studied outside in nature. These are just off the top of my head. If you want more for a specific area, I'm happy to put more thought into it.Biology Botany -make a garden,do a survey over 2 months of all the mushrooms in the woods,Do a mushroom printgrow a seed in plastic bottle so you can see the rootsZoologysurvey insectsMake an ant farmVisit the rocky intertidal and look for sea creaturesGet a bird list and see how many you can findwatch how bees pollinateGeneticsDo a genetic chart of your extended familyMicrobiologyGet a microscope and learn to use itGet samples from local streams and learn how to measure little creaturesLearn how to categorize and identify little creatures and plantsHuman bodyCompare heart rates between people, or within yourself depending on exerciseCompare reflex speed, or distance you can throwStudy your sleep patternsGet a skeleton and try to figure out what each bone doesEarth Science Astronomystar gazingchart the moon cycles, try to tell the time based on the phase of the moon and its location in the skyChart the sun over 6 monthsGeologyFind rocks and identify themLook at road cuts and look at soil strataGet a book out of the library and visit all the interesting rock formations in your areaGo to a volcanic siteMeteorologyStudy weather mapsMake your own set of weather measurement gear (wind, rain, pressure) and chart daily weatherlearn how to predict rain using cloudsOceanographyGo to the ocean and study how the waves break on the sandVisit dunesStudy tide charts and chart tides in your areaPhysics (running out of time, but will get back to this)Make homemade kite and study how you can adjust it to improve its flightMeasure who has the grippiest shoes using a spring scaleVideo tape a ball in projectile motion, slow it down with software and compare it to textbookGo to many locations and compare echos, why do they vary?Look at how light reflects and refractsPlay with magnetsAck... Chemistry is next. Will come back.HTH,Ruth in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 TOPS is an oldie but goodie, too. Website topscience.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Tops Science 150 Captivating Chemistry Experiments using Household substances (also 150 more chemistry experiments) http://www.amazon.com/Captivating-Chemistry-Experiments-Household-Substances/dp/0971848025 Blood and Guts http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Paper-School-book-Blood/dp/0316034436 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 It is very possible that I'm not understanding TOPS. It looks like a pretty straightforward unit study curriculum. What am I missing? Ruth, thanks so much for that list! My own science education is pretty minimal, so it also gives me some great ideas for educating myself as I help my daughter explore. I look forward to a chemistry list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 It is very possible that I'm not understanding TOPS. It looks like a pretty straightforward unit study curriculum. What am I missing? It's more "science center" oriented, where the kids can move around and explore the centers that interest them without following a rigid scope and sequence. It may be too "schoolish" for you, but lots of folks like the "directed exploration with lots of flexibility" rather than "total unschooling." As with all random internet advice, you can take it or leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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