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julikins

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  1. So I'm thinking about making a History of Science course for my 6th grade son. This year is going to be science-focused (we're doing chemistry one semester and physics another) and so I thought, why not make history fit in, too? So I've never made up a course on my own before, so I'm thinking of including the following: Guide: Homemade Master List of Scientists to Research or 100 Scientists that Changed the World by Tiner Extra Reading: Archimedes and the Door of Science Biographies on a few of the Artists or Isaac Newton, Galileo, Da Vinci and Einstein for Kids series Output: Timeline and perhaps a map of where the scientist lived (put a pin in the map with their name attached to the pin). Research chosen scientists and present in Oral Report Unit Study-long graph of major contributions and field of study Notebook of definitions, explanations, drawings and famous quotes I'm not much of a scientist, so this is a leap in the dark for me. I'm reading Archimedes and the Door of Science and see so much potential in that book for it to be a stepping stone, or door, (ha!) into the study of other scientists. Another thought is that we have no library--except for what we've collected here at home. We live overseas. I love downloadable resources, but we can have a few things shipped. And I don't want to do too many experiments with this just because our science studies this year are going to be so hands-on. So here are some of my questions: 1. Do you have a favorite book or link that you love for deciding who are the most important scientists to include in this study? (It will last a year) Just looking it up on Amazon I found Tiner's 100 Scientists Who Changed the World and Vancleave's Scientists book. Is one better than another? Is there another I should look for? I know there is The Story of Science series but from what I understand they would last longer than the year I want to dedicate to this (am I right?). 2. Would it be just as good to use Beautiful Feet's History of Science series? 3. Am I missing an aspect of designing this course that is necessary to make it complete? 4. How long should a 6th grader do science for? Is this largely up to the parents or is there a standard? Thank you if you've read thus far and have something to direct with, no matter how little.
  2. Is it overkill or helpful to do a Thames and Kosmos Physics Workshop set (or something similar) with Bite-Size Physics? I think I've brought it down to Bite-Size for the spine and just want to add a few biographies, extra reading and kits, if needed. What say you all?
  3. I'm planning to do a semester of Chemistry in the kitchen with Ellen McHenry's The Elements and Carbon Chemistry. I'll be using Basher's element book, Chemical Chaos, Gray's the Element's book, and some bios of famous chemists, etc. There aren't many labs in this course, so I've wondered what I'd do, either a chemistry in the kitchen book or something like the Thames and Kosmos C1000 kit. The second semester will be physics and I'm still figuring out what I'm going to be using. I want it to be focused on conceptual physics--more hands on, bringing it down to the nuts and bolts of it. I'm still working on what I'm going to use for this. I'm considering Tiner's World of Physics or AIG's Heat and Energy, Inventions and Technology books. Then buying a couple kits that would work well. I also have considered off and on Exploration Education Advanced so that I don't have to do all the running around after resources. I live overseas so it's hard to do that. To tie it all together I've decided to do history this year as the History of Science. I'm not sure if I'll do BF's History of Science or something else, perhaps 100 most famous scientists or something like that along with biographies and a timeline. I want to do handwriting where he will be writing out definitions of the concepts that the scientists discovered or some famous quotes from the scientists. And art this year would be something along the lines of technical drawing. I just want it to be a fun year for him, challenging but in a way that makes him want more. I also really want to pare down all the multiple subjects to connect it all into a more Unit Study style.
  4. Bumping for you, since I'm wondering the same thing. I also thought about doing a Science focused year, instead of a history focused year. That would make my history have to correlate with our science topics of the year--Chemistry and Physics (a semester each). So I've been trying to find a history of science program that is on grade level. I really like Tiner's World of... series but it seems above grade level, and I've read that History of Science by BF is below, but perhaps that's okay, since it's not the main focus of the year? That's my predicament. If I could just find something that focuses on the history of science that is right on target...
  5. I was thinking about doing North Star Geography and Mapping the World with Art combined. Is that overkill? She loves to draw and I think this would be just up her alley. And the North Star gives her the Cultural geography component I really wanted her to get as well.
  6. Thank you for sharing about Bite-Sized Physics. I will look into it more. It's encouraging that it can be downloaded, cause shipping to South America can be expensive and sometimes it doesn't get here. I've eliminated some of the content as I look it over, but am not sure. I've also been thinking about making it a Science year, having history be included in a study of science (how science developed over time) and reading biographies. Does that sound like overkill? I feel like doing a totally separate history curriculum will not allow my son to delve as deeply as he would otherwise. So those are my thoughts. I'll edit the original post to reflect the items I've eliminated already. So does anyone else have comments about any of the other resources you've used? Why do you love or hate them?
  7. I've been scouring posts here on the forum about physics and have been looking at multiple posts from Charlotte Mason, Wildflowers and Marbles, Guest Hollow, Eclectic Homeschooler and several other websites for resources for 1 (ONE) semester of Physics for my 6th grade son. And what I thought originally was a lack of resources, I have now realized is an abundance and I have no idea how to pare it down into one semester. Here are my goals for my 6th grade son: --Give him a desire to learn more on his own --Must be fun and informational but not overwhelming --encourage him to pursue this area life long if that is his desire --I want it to be hands on for him and not exhausting for me :) His visual spatial intelligence was tested off the chart, but he's never studied physics before. He's only in 6th grade, so he can't handle the math involved yet. He will be doing one semester of Chemistry using McHenry's Elements and Carbon Chemistry first then this. Please let me know what you have used and if you loved or hated it or in between and WHY. The resources with asterisks mean that I've heard good reviews. I realize that more is not always better and we live overseas so getting the resources down here is a challenge. But I'm willing to do it if it will be effective for him. And, we are Christians, so keep that in mind. Thank you! So here are the resources I have found: Spines: RS4K Physics Exploration Education* Bite-Size Physics—by Science Jim* The Wonders of Physics by Irving Adler Apologia’s Exploring Chemistry and Physics* CK12's Middle School Physical Science CPO Physical Science Tiner's Exploring the World of Physics* Life of Fred Physics Newton and Physics for Kids* Resources: The New Way Things Work (own) (could be used as spine?) Basher Book about Physics (which one?) Asimov's Breakthroughs in Science Backyard Ballistics* Mistakes that Worked (Charlotte Jones) Rube Goldberg Inventions Gismos and Gadgets: Creating Science Contraptions Physics for Every Kid Engineering for Every Kid Machines: Mind Boggling Experiments You can Turn into Science Fair Projects Simple Machines: Starting with Science That Wind at Word Can you feel the Force? The Cartoon Guide to Physics The Physics Coloring Book Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics Usborne Book of Science Simple Machines for Beginners Documentaries: The Way Things Work by Coursera Eureka! Series on Physics topics Mythbusters—Hindenburg Mystery Memory work: The Way Things Work Game Output: Use the Thames and Kosmos set or Exploration Education projects to build what they are studying. Perhaps do an experiment sheet with hypothesis and explaining outcome.. Consider using a Engineering Notebook or 3-Ring Binder to record vocabulary and sketches of projects that have been built as well as in the design phase. Projects: Thames and Cosmos Set—Physics Workshop, Magnetic Science Project Based Engineering Steve Spangler—Sick Science Fast Physics Kit Geyser Tube with Caps Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes (own) Snap Circuits Electronics Kit or something similar Erector Set K’Nex Simple Machines Kit (levers and pulleys, gears, wheels, axles and inclined planes Reading: • Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library) • Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity by Cwiklik • Isaac Newton: Mastermind of Modern Science by David C. Knight • Galileo and Experimental Science by Rebecca B. Marcus • The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind • What was the Gold rush? , Who was Isaac Newton?, Who was Galileo? Series • Sky Sailors: True Stories of the Balloon Era • Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France • You Wouldn’t Want to be…series. A 19th Century Coal Miner in England • Book on Thomas Edison • Book on Albert Einstein • Magic School Bus Books: The Electric Field Trip • Castles Under Siege • How do you Lift a Lion I removed the Fred Borst item to put in my Chemistry class for the previous semester.
  8. Thank you for all your replies. I'm looking more forward to this year than I have other years in the past because of McHenry's chemistry programs. Thanks for your help fastweedpuller. I'm liking your idea for my son who is struggling with ADD tendencies and it may be a real boost to him to be able to stick to something and concentrate on it better for as long as he needs. Thanks!
  9. fastweedpuller--can you tell me about your modified block schedule, I like what you had to say about that. So you think that if we did the advanced maybe we could do the first three days of projects for each section and then choose whether to do the next two and he'd have the time to do the program. Do you think that it would be profitable to buy other books or do any other reading to go along with it? Thanks!
  10. Oh, one thing to add. I'm considering doing Beautiful Feet's History of Science for a semester next year too. Opinions?
  11. So I'm trying to come up with an introductory chemistry and physics program for my 6th grade son. My idea is for it to be a good hands-on year but with enough information to pull him into the topic, with either living books or videos or something. I thought about doing one semester each, but that's not set in stone. I also thought about doing the year in trimesters and doing chemistry for the first one, physics for the second and a unit on using the microscope for the third. I may just be trying to pack too much stuff in, though. For Chemistry, I thought about using The Elements by Ellen McHenry for the beginning. But don't know how I'd schedule it. Would I go slow? would I go ahead and use Carbon Chemistry as well? Or would it be more beneficial to use another text to go with it? What are some awesome books that we shouldn't miss to add to it? I've looked at Guest Hollow's schedule and a few others, but don't have a library around (we live overseas) so it's hard to come up with lots of extra books. For Physics, I like the look of Exploration Education, but that takes a 36 weeks to complete. I wasn't really planning on doing a whole year of one topic. But that's the idea, to do science and not just read about it. But since I'm not sciencey it has to be easy on the teacher. Again, what books would give that to him or do you have any other suggestions? So, any one who has a heart to help a fellow mum, and has been in my shoes or is really good in science, please share with me your wisdom! Thank you!
  12. I think this is a very worthy exercise. We live overseas and I've often wondered what I'd do if we were forced to leave overnight. So here goes: NIV Study Bible Victor Journey Through the Bible Big Truths for Young People ABC's and All Their Tricks or Painless Spelling Little Brown Handbook Nat Geo Atlas Kingfisher History Encyclopedia SOTW1-4 Key to...Math series Art of Problem Solving Usborne Science Encyclopedia Basics of Chemistry and Physics Medical Book Gardening Book Basics of Cooking book Pioneer Survival Book Basic Music Theory book Harmonica and Recorder Hymnbook Monalisa art book (can't remember the name) Poetry Anthology American History Book Children's Literature Anthology 500 most important people in history
  13. Another option I'm looking into is Essentials in Writing. Now I know you have composition covered, so it could be redundant. But thought I'd mention it.
  14. We speak Portuguese and we're missionaries in Brazil, but we're here in the U.S. right now. they sound like fun. Where did you buy them? I'd be willing to pay shipping. Let me know at my email address tjhendry at avmi dot org.
  15. I keep seeing this on here, but haven't had much luck learning too much about it. The only thing I believe I've figured out is that it is British. Am I right? How does that work with teaching American kids? Any issues? Can you tell me what it covers? What do you like/dislike about it? Is there somewhere to see samples? Where do you buy if from in the U.S.? Any info is much appreciated. Oh, and I'm looking for it for a 4th/5th grader who has finished R&S Grammar 3. Thanks
  16. I agree with a supplementing and keeping on with MUS until the natural jumping off point. And I was going to suggest that you not require every page for her to do. If she understands it, let her move on. That has helped my dd so much. She zooms at the beginning of the year, where the content is easily understandable then takes her time with the more complex concepts later on. She's done very well and is doing pre-algebra now in MUS. We decided to stick with it.
  17. Thanks, that's encouraging, ladies. I think that subject might be decided, now on to others :).
  18. I had a thread a few days ago about looking for an American History program for my 8th grader and several people suggested Sonlight. With three other kids with their own special situations, I didn't feel I could dedicate on the "Sonlight time" necessary for the 8th grader to do her History, though I love the program. As I researched programs though, I kept coming back to it. So here's the question, can an 8th grader do just the History/Reading portions mostly independently, with mom doing some discussions but not doing all the read-alouds (she would do those independently as well)?
  19. Another question here--would a child need to go back to previous years to get background information to be successful in this curriculum? I'm needing independence for my 4th and 7th grader with a toddler and newborn. They will be finishing R&S3 (4th grader) and Hake 6 (7th grader) by December and I'm trying to figure out what would work best for them next year. I keep coming back to EIW because the format looks doable, but...will is it enough? It is too gentle? Or is that what my kids need? I know only I can make that decision, but ahhh!!!
  20. I don't have time to do Sonlight with her--it will take up her whole day! She reads well, but not super fast, I don't think, and Sonlight is so expensive! Do you guys really like Hakim? I've heard mixed reviews. Isn't here anything else out there? There's so much for elementary or over two years, but 1 year for jr. not so much?
  21. For my 7th grader, it depends on the subject. For Math, it's a time slot. For science and history, I gave her an assignment notebook with what I expect her to do that day, estimating it would take x amount of time for her to finish. With spelling, grammar, etc., it's do the next thing. Some days take longer than others. She does have lighter days and she knows on those days, she's expected to do her art/music appreciation assignments or do some extra work for that she didn't have time for other days. My kids don't have homework after school hours like most of their schooled peers, so I don't feel too sorry for them. They know what is required to finish their subjects in a timely manner, during a school year, according to state laws, and I keep them to it. If they are sick or the work gets complicated (they need extra help or it's taking longer to understand), then fine, I'm flexible and will work with them. But I expect them to be diligent, especially my 7th grader, and she's really into a rhythm now that's working.
  22. I'm looking for American History study for my daughter who will be in 8th grade. We have done the history cycle and used MOH for the last two years, but I'm not sure I want to continue with that. What else is out there, I'm not even sure. I've researched some about Notgrass America the Beautiful, I've heard about American Odyssey (is that with K12?). What else? I do have all the books from the Sonlight Core 4+5 (I believe that was it) from several years ago, but I don't have time to do Sonlight with her. She does much of her work independently. So what else is out there for that age that a child can use independently? Oh, and we are going to be back over seas, so it can't be heavily library dependent. Thanks!
  23. I've been wondering about the same program, except both my kids don't have much experience with theory. Bumping so I can learn more too.
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