EKT Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 So...I bought Volume I awhile back and...I just couldn't get into it! I love the approach in theory, but I found the flowchart super confusing and all the prep work was too much for me. (I mean, we did a very small handful of lessons last year, but nothing close to finishing the whole book.) My girls love science and they read non-fiction science books from the library endlessly. They watch tons of animal and nature documentaries and they also participate in First Lego League Jr., so they have a good grasp (for their ages) on engineering and technology concepts. So...they are science-loving, but we just weren't able to get into BFSU Volume I in any methodical way. My older girl is about to enter 4th grade, so I'm thinking of just hopping over to BFSU Volume II, and taking the younger one (an academically precocious 1st grader) along for the ride (adapting where necessary for the little one). Thoughts? My other option, I think, is just doing interest-led science reading for the oldest's upcoming 4th grade school year and then, when she is in 5th, I could have her pick up the classical science cycle and go on doing a year of biology, a year of earth science/astronomy, etc. I'd love any advice, though. (Our planned academic load for next year is already very robust, so I'm hoping there's a way to do BFSU II that doesn't suck all my energy and time....) Thanks in advance for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 I'd say you definitely could do it. We did Volume 1 lightly in K (DS loves science), then a year of Earth and space in 1st, an eclectic mix focused on environmental science this year, and plan to spread Volume 2 over grades 3 and 4. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 I think if you own BFSU 1 you won't have any problems because you could always scan the "prerequisite" lessons, many of which are not directly required. If you couldn't get BFSU 1 to work before, perhaps you need a modified approach. You could offer a few general topics to choose from, then do a few lessons and read a few interest-led books. That would let you provide needed technical background that she could use to inform her own reading. I'm spending the summer planning out classes for next year, does it show? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 At the beginning of each of the four threads in BFSU 2, there is mention of which topics from 1 are most essential. Just look those over and see if there's anything that your kids don't already know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKT Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 At the beginning of each of the four threads in BFSU 2, there is mention of which topics from 1 are most essential. Just look those over and see if there's anything that your kids don't already know. Oh, thanks for this! I haven't actually bought the BFSU Volume II text yet, so I didn't know this bit. Very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertflower Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 On a different note, ever heard of mystery science? It's an online curriculum that is the closest to BFSU as can be. So I'm told. Something to think about in case you don't have time to do BFSU 2. I'm most likely going to register in a year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKT Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 On a different note, ever heard of mystery science? It's an online curriculum that is the closest to BFSU as can be. So I'm told. Something to think about in case you don't have time to do BFSU 2. I'm most likely going to register in a year or so. I haven't, but I will look into it. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Oh, thanks for this! I haven't actually bought the BFSU Volume II text yet, so I didn't know this bit. Very helpful! I had a few minutes, so I grabbed BFSU 2. Unfortunately, I had not remembered correctly. At the beginning of each thread, they only mention which threads should get "continuing attention and expansion". But looking through the prereqs in the book, the basic knowledge needed before starting is: - All matter is made of particles (don't need to know that the particles are called atoms and molecules, but a solid understanding that all solids, liquids, and gases are made of particles) - Lesson A-5: Distinguishing Materials - Lesson B-9: How Animals Move: Energy to Run the Body - basic plant science (structure, germination, growth, role of soil and water) - basic knowledge of life cycles - basic knowledge of habitats - basic knowledge of friction and inertia - basic knowledge of gravity - Lesson C-7: Push Pushes Back - concept of kinetic and potential energy - seasons changing with Earth's orbit - basic knowledge of water cycle For the record, even though I *did* work systematically through volume 1, I think the only thing in the entire book that was completely new to my science-loving, nonfiction-reading, BrainPop-watching, academically advanced 6year old was in the "Push Pushes Back" section. Everything else fell into the "well, duh" category for her, even though she still enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure we could have just started with volume 2 and back filled with the occasional library book. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKT Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 I had a few minutes, so I grabbed BFSU 2. Unfortunately, I had not remembered correctly. At the beginning of each thread, they only mention which threads should get "continuing attention and expansion". But looking through the prereqs in the book, the basic knowledge needed before starting is: - All matter is made of particles (don't need to know that the particles are called atoms and molecules, but a solid understanding that all solids, liquids, and gases are made of particles) - Lesson A-5: Distinguishing Materials - Lesson B-9: How Animals Move: Energy to Run the Body - basic plant science (structure, germination, growth, role of soil and water) - basic knowledge of life cycles - basic knowledge of habitats - basic knowledge of friction and inertia - basic knowledge of gravity - Lesson C-7: Push Pushes Back - concept of kinetic and potential energy - seasons changing with Earth's orbit - basic knowledge of water cycle For the record, even though I *did* work systematically through volume 1, I think the only thing in the entire book that was completely new to my science-loving, nonfiction-reading, BrainPop-watching, academically advanced 6year old was in the "Push Pushes Back" section. Everything else fell into the "well, duh" category for her, even though she still enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure we could have just started with volume 2 and back filled with the occasional library book. Thank you so much for going to the trouble of sharing this! So helpful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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