Jump to content

Menu

Perfect pairings in math and science: What do you use?


Wind-in-my-hair
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have a 6th grader using A beka Science, a 4th grader using Apologia' s Zoology 1, and a 1st grader doing science from whatever he picks out at the library. Christian light math for all. I'm not sure what you mean by perfect pairing, but it's working for us. Our math is solid. Each child chose their own science, so no one's complaining.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

AoPS PreA paired really nicely with Apologia high school Chemistry. Proportions, decimals, simple linear equations, isolating variables and reworking equations, distributive property when balancing equations - it was all covered in math, then used in science. Next year we are trying Conceptual Physics with AoPS Geometry and Intro to Algebra. From what I have seen, I think they might work well playing off one another.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have yet to find anything perfect for science that is all put together into a neat package, much less something that pairs well with math! But a resource I'm coming to love is the material from HHMI/Biointeractive.  There are videos, many of which are supported by rich hands-on activities that require the application of math to science.  For example, we've been watching and discussing How The Mesozoic Died, and yesterday we did an activity where you have to compare foram fossils on either side of the K-T boundary.  Simple math - unit conversions so all samples are at the same scale, calculating percentages, reading graphs.  But so useful!  There are quite a few mathematically-rich activities for late middle school and high school level.  There is even a whole handbook on how to use their materials to teach statistics.

 

http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe someone will point to programs that show otherwise, but FWIW, my understanding is that most science courses won't involve a whole lot of math - beyond, say, looking at charts or something, stuff that IMO is relatively self-explanatory - until high school or at least late middle school. When the science does involve math at the high school level, however, it seems that the relevant math is a prerequisite for the science rather than a simultaneous course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AoPS PreA paired really nicely with Apologia high school Chemistry. Proportions, decimals, simple linear equations, isolating variables and reworking equations, distributive property when balancing equations - it was all covered in math, then used in science. Next year we are trying Conceptual Physics with AoPS Geometry and Intro to Algebra. From what I have seen, I think they might work well playing off one another.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences with these programs. This looks like a good example of blending two different programs whose content happen to coincide. That isn't easy to do, but I imagine with experience it becomes more clear.

 

For early elementary, I am wondering if people tend to choose programs in math and science from the same publisher, such as SPM/MPAH, or Saxon and Nancy Larson Science, because they would have the same general method and might self-reinforce. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am confused by the question. Any student who has mastered the prerequisite math concepts should be able to apply the math to the science they are studying. Being solid in the math required drives science options. So,a child who wants to study physics will be limited to conceptual, alg- based, or cal-based by their math abilities. Students do not have to complete a conceptual course before an alg course before a cal course. (As a matter of fact, my oldest only ever took cal-based physics.)

 

Different texts focus on different types of skills. Some are more open-ended; some are more explicit. Some focus mainly on the big picture; some delve into nitty-gritty details. Those are ability of student type questions. Some kids can fill in the details when they understand the big picture. Some kids need it all laid out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have yet to find anything perfect for science that is all put together into a neat package, much less something that pairs well with math! But a resource I'm coming to love is the material from HHMI/Biointeractive. There are videos, many of which are supported by rich hands-on activities that require the application of math to science. For example, we've been watching and discussing How The Mesozoic Died, and yesterday we did an activity where you have to compare foram fossils on either side of the K-T boundary. Simple math - unit conversions so all samples are at the same scale, calculating percentages, reading graphs. But so useful! There are quite a few mathematically-rich activities for late middle school and high school level. There is even a whole handbook on how to use their materials to teach statistics.

 

http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive

What a great resource! Thank you so much for sharing. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For early elementary, I am wondering if people tend to choose programs in math and science from the same publisher, such as SPM/MPAH, or Saxon and Nancy Larson Science, because they would have the same general method and might self-reinforce.

My Pals are here Science can be paired with any math program. The grade level don't even need to match e.g. you can do MPAH 5th & 6th grade books with a much lower math book.

 

I didn't match science to math or vis versa. My kids just do the science they like for elementary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have yet to need math in our science, since we're still doing elementary. I really don't think it should matter what you use. If your kids need the science to be from the same publisher as the math in order to understand it, I'd question whether they're really learning from the math program.

 

Later in middle school and high school, there will be math required, but any good math program should prepare the student for that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...