Walking-Iris
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Posts posted by Walking-Iris
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Yes actually I do remember the book. Which is why I choose not to use it---even though it's quite popular. But here's the question-- why does it matter what science book I don't want to use for my own personal reasons? So people can jump to defend their use of it? Why does anyone feel the need to defend anything they choose for their own family? And why do I have to explain my decision to use or not use it? I agree with Penelope---it does permeate everything---the same creationism permeates the other side. And I've got nothing against any of that honestly....but one of the things that has struck me in my reading of these rs4k texts online---is that there is nothing at all even hinted at what people are saying.
Whatever her personal associations or beliefs---the science books seem quite good...and visually engaging.
I'm not making this about evolution/creation etc. I think the original poster was asking a very straightforward curriculum question.
And when even homeschoolers jump to join the science curriculum wars---"mine is better" "no this is better" "this author is associated here" whatever---we're no better than Texas textbook sellers.
It's the antithesis of the spirit of homeschooling in my mind. If a family wants to use Apologia or Answers in whatever---then it's their choice. If they want to use something more secular...their choice. I personally don't agree with the tone of those books, but other families have those worldviews. Another quote from Keller:
"Unless one side can actually silence the other (which I hope won’t happen in a society that values free speech), science and science education rhubarbs will continue. There will always be opposing viewpoints and, like it or not, these squabbles are what push science forward. Let’s face it, there are at least a few problems with Creationist arguments, some serious issues with Intelligent Design, and a few holes in the theory of evolution. Far from being a tragedy, it’s a great opportunity to utilize the differences for new scientific discoveries. It really won’t hurt to examine all viewpoints, and there is no shame in questioning the veracity, predictability, or falsifiability of each. If we don’t teach our kids how to question, doubt, examine, evaluate, and explore all sides of any argument (scientific or otherwise), and if we shame them when they disagree with our conclusions, we fail to to help them develop their most valuable resource – the ability to use opposing models to creatively solve problems."
I definitely agree with this. I chose homeschooling for the tremendous opportunity it afforded me to teach my kids to think for themselves. I don't care what homeschooling science "program" or text or curriculum anyone chooses to use. Because no one is homeschooling my kids but me. I don't understand how a author could be a damage to my children when I'm the primary education facilitator in the homeschool. These arguments about authors and their philosophical leanings are the very attitudes that get books banned, burned , or at the very least censored.
It's very really simple. If you don't like the author or the text---don't buy it. But I honestly want to know what good it does anyone to argue or defend their use or non-use of certain materials? I feel like I've spent entirely too long reading the threads in this forum about this issue.
I don't see how she's attempting to indoctrinate anyone when there isn't a smidgen of religious material in any of her books. How in the world can a chemistry text--for example---indoctrinate anyone? People feel offended that she says "neutrality" and then feel she means otherwise---that is illogical considering that her motives are completely subject to interpretation only. Someone posted that the word "design" in the text is no big deal. I agree. If a kid asks what that means----that opens a very wide door for explanations. Whereas most homeschooling books assume one or the other of the Big Two answers... evolution or creation.
I believe there's a thread about dissatisfaction with science---I could just copy and paste this there. Because these "science wars" and "secular" vs. "religious" blah blah blah----turn me off so completely to nearly every homeschooling science anything out there.
I applaud Keller for attempting what may only start what a previous poster called a "witch hunt"---from both sides, likely! I feel she's actually reaching out to people of various faiths/beliefs...personal or otherwise.
At the end of the day---I care very little whether a child is learning science from rs4k or RSO or anything else. I'm homeschooling my children---and that's what I care about.
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I'm not trying to start a curriculum war---just saying the secular books I've had a chance to glance at (and no I won't name it because it would just start a curriculum war lol) was a bit much IMO on the evolutionary side especially when dealing with taxonomy. My personal feeling---my personal preference.
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You're right---not quite a complete science. But I'm liking what I'm reading online so far. The chemistry/physics/astronomy stuff alludes me---so I would see this as wonderful unit studies of sorts and reference materials.
I've always found science curriculum a bit too one way or the other---too heavy in evolutionary theory or too heavy in Christian religious references. Or just plain schoolish text boring. And it's a bit time consuming to search out activity books etc to pull together your own science curriculum. Which I have been trying to do.
The use of the word design doesn't bother me. There are people out there who believe in a designed Earth or creator but who are not Fundamentalist Christians.
They are pricey though---so the search is on!
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http://rebeccawkeller.com/education/just-the-facts-please
Thank you!!! I have been struggling to find a science curriculum that would fit with my family's worldview.
I have considered this---but have been under the impression that it may be too Christian-which we are not But we're also a very spiritual family.
The idea of a science curriculum written from a ID perspective intrigues me. And it appears from this blog post that she is not a young Earth-er or Bible literalist.
This discussion seems odd to me---considering that SWB is very open about her religious beliefs and has even bemoaned the publishers attempt at neutrality in her book on the WTM website.
One question to those who use S4K---is there any references to verses or Biblical figures etc.?
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:iagree: They said it better and I would just be repeating it! But also think about this---how much math does an 8 year old even *need*. If we really think about it, maybe they can learn it when they need it---but that begs the question---will they be able to learn it when they need it?
I think we educate children when they are children because they are capable of learning it---and the more opportunities we give them, the mor echoices we give them as adults.
I know very little about K12---but if it's not something that is working for you---maybe think about changing the math curriculum. Which I think would mean quitting K12, right?
But also---I do very little math in my day to day life. Dealing with money and teaching my kids is the extent of it. But I've had to call on higher math skills at random times---fixing things around the house, building a sandbox or backyard hockey rink, playing Legos with the kids, cooking, even just understanding something I've read or heard with pleasure (pleasure because I could understand it).
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In addition to the ones mentioned here (Dodsworth, Nate the Great, Mercy Watson, anything and everything by Cynthia Rylant) - my boys also really liked Ricky Ricotta, which is another that is fashioned like a chapter book but is short with an easy reader level vocab. It's very boyish. Lulu and the Brontosaurus is another recent book that is in that in between level and very amusing (I liked the Lane Smith illustrations a lot too). Also, Kate DiCamillio's other book for that age group, Bink and Gollie is short but good. And, one more, Oliver Moon is an Usborne series that is at about that level - it's about a young wizard kid.
Good suggestions---anything Cynthia Rylant is a hit in this house. Even for read-alouds with my 4 year old. Nate the Great series and Ricky Ricotta are favorites. My 8 year old reads them to his younger brother. Love Lane Smith. My son just asked for a second James and the Giant Peach because he wants the one with Lane Smith illustrations.
I'm looking for the Oliver Moon---sounds like something my kiddo would like.
I also wanted to suggest Books Kids Will Sit Still For. I absolutely love this book. You would have to try very hard indeed to NOT find a book your kids would love in this resource.
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:iagree: Yep. I can't stand it when people self diagnose themselves with something that is a bit devastating for parents. As if being Aspie is the newest trend. Or when people diagnose their kids as such and such when in reality they're no such thing and anyone can see that. I want to tell people it's not necessarily a club you need to be jumping to get into.
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The times I've felt it necessary to tell people that my son is on the spectrum---the looks I've gotten. What the heck are people so afraid of?
I feel your pain. :grouphug:
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If this were my situation, I would talk to my son about finances and put some of that (that's quite a bit of money for a 9 year old) into his savings account, and let him have the rest to spend. I don't think a 9 year old is of an age to be expected to help out in financial difficulties. It's a parent's responsibility to provide for a child. A child contributes to a family by doing chores and other helpful things around the home.
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Both of my boys were 9 pounds and past due date. Nothing to it really.
But my little 7 pound girl, born a week early, was hell on me to push out. :lol:
There's no point in all the u/s. If the heartbeat is fine...and if they are saying the baby is fine. Other than worries about size which have very little to no merit---just stop having them. What would happen if you said you didn't want anymore?---it's your body right? :001_huh:
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If I really like it and think it's "good for them", I'll try to stick with it. The Wordly Wise program is one that comes to mind. My son hates it...but he does a good job once we get going on a lesson. :tongue_smilie:
It's challenging enough that he balks at doing it----but Mom thinks he needs the challenge.
If it's really an issue, I may try to supplement with another program. My son likes Miquon math, but I find the teacher book frustrating...and I don't think it's complete enough. I feel it needs to be fleshed out. He likes it so I use it and try to give more drill with Kumon and incorporate a lot of math/logic games and activities from various sources. I do love C-rods, though!!!
Is there a way you can still use Right Start, but instead of the abacus use some other type of manipulative?
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Bill Peet!!! If you're looking for books at the beginning reading level (1st grade) and you child can successfully read Little Bear or any of the I Can Read style of books--Peet's books are awesome.
They are seriously entertaining---and will stretch a child's reading skills. This is what I did with my oldest at that age. I will never forget him reading aloud The Ant and the Elephant and the look of pride on his face. And then it's just a matter of keeping them surrounded by good children's literature.
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I always feel a bit offended about the lefties and genetic damage theories. I'm a leftie and all of my children are lefties and the day the over concern about handedness dies will be a great day indeed. Left handers never worry about their handedness---sems only right handers are concerned about it. It's an old cultural myth that I personally believe has no merit.
It bothers me immensely when people notice that my children are lefties and make a point to comment on it.
I find it ridiculous. Like saying you have, or are going to have, issues because your eyes are blue.
My oldest son has PDD-NOS and I had one u/s to determine sex and a normal complication free pregnancy. I had numerous u/s scans with my 2nd (due to being past edd) and I have not seen any of the same problems as with my 1st son.
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Definitely daily sensory activities are important. Sometimes if i have a hard time "fitting it all in" or life gets busy---I can always just observe my kiddo. Our OT said all kids do self therapy and sometimes just watching what they do gives clues about what they need...and a spontaneous sensory activity can be created on the fly.
I'm not even positive our insurance would pay for anything like that---bears looking into. :)
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My personal theory about asd---if this has been said any where else I'm not sure. But in my mind it's like allergies. If you think of environmental or genetic etc triggers as building blocks---you can stack them up only so far until they topple. Thus a person can be exposed to a lot of stuff and never have an allergic reaction (those blocks don't topple) but another person may have a shorter stack---can handle this and this but this particular thing topples the stack.
Autism is like that for me. Vaccinations, meds, food allergy, genetics etc etc---all the theories out there are like building blocks. This kid can handle the vaccinations but the gluten allergy caused the stack to topple. This kid can handle the gluten but the vaccinations caused the stack to topple. This kid can handle all of that but something else caused the stack to topple. There's alot out there to take into consideration. Environmental toxins. Media usage. Was our neighbors constant weed killer spraying a factor when my oldest was a baby? Was it vaccinations? (I believe they played a big part)
There are so many similar behaviors among kids on the spectrum, but yet each kid is like a fingerprint as well. Finding out what exactly---that's every parents dream, right? I wish I 100% knew what.it.was.
EDIT: no, I've never taken any meds and my son is on the spectrum. :)
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Sounds like my son!! Oral motor sensitivities that affect his diet big time. You could give him the oral exercises (straws etc) to fiddle with while he does any seat school work. (Not sure how old your son is) Also you could have him do his seatwork while bouncing on the ball. And while watching tv etc.
My son needs a lot of fine motor skill work. So I give him things that require use of scissors and staplers, hole punchers etc daily. Anything requiring the use of those tools he has to do it----and lord does he hate it.
I've wanted to try Theratogs for years---but so pricey.
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I tend to buy more stuff in the summer/fall and then again in the spring. Aug/Sept and Feb. But I'm also buying random things all year long. :001_smile:
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I have never been a smoker and I am very anti teen smoking. My high school didn't allow smoking breaks and I don't believe any high school in this country should allow it.
As a parent I would never allow my teen to smoke. If I knew they had started, I would lovingly help them.
I've known people who have accepted their teen smokers with a "just not in my house" rule. I don't think that's enough. There would be doctor appts. etc. I would do everything in my power to help them see the error of it.
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I'm right there with you!!! I got SOTW to use with my 8 year old---and I just can't seem to get rolling with it. If i read a chapter, then stop to do the activity book maps, read some of the literature suggestions etc etc. By the time we try to read the next chapter, the first is long forgotten. I read the book myself when I first ordered it and it's interesting enough that I think if we just read it without all the stops and starts it would go over better.
And some of the suggested books are boooring. Hate to say it but very few of them have sparked my kid's interest. And I can't seem to fit any of the extra activities into our life. Mummify a chicken today? I'm just trying to keep the laundry sorted. I would love to do this program, and get through ancients this year, but having a hard time figuring out how. Plus my son seems much more interested in American history---so I've been including my own history readings and ideas to cover that as well.
Would love to hear other peoples ideas about this as well.
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Have you read Linda Dobson's "The First Year of Homeschoolibg Your Child?"
Love love love her books---anything by Prima Publishing is a big must read for any homeschooler imo. :)
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But, all that sounds age-appropriate. Try not to borrow trouble ;).
I know right? But my oldest never reversed a single letter ever and could sit and listen to stacks of stories. It's a bit nerve wracking.
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:lol: Yep. This is my child. He doodles all over his work. I have even been able to use doodles as a reward. "Finish xy and z and then you can draw such and such." He draws "prizes" for himself at the bottom of the page---old rusty cars, stinky mops, dirty socks. I wonder if that is his passive aggressive way to say how he really feels about math.
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I agree with having kids read out loud a lot as well as listening to you read out loud---even to big kids---and audiobooks.
Reading this thread because I'm a tad worried about my 4 year old who is reversing a lot of letters, or printing them properly but starting backwards. AND he doesn't like read aloud time---gets so squirmy. Except at bedtime---but then he still doesn't really just relax and listen.
Definitely going to give that book a read!
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I would kill for a space like that. We are forced to have school at our kitchen table. I do have a corner in the front room that we can store things in--workbox style. But I will never be happy with a set-up until I get a bigger house. Love all the containers!! I notice all the Montessori fun stuff. :)
REAL Science4kids VS REAL Science Odyssey
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted · Edited by Walking-Iris
The term "secular" assumes evolution--especially in science. Others may disagree but that's my point of view. And let's get this straight, I'm not a Creationist. But that's the whole point of a secular program, right? My Freshman year Biology text had a chapter on evolution---that my teacher skipped just to save himself "the grief" as he called it. lol Now I know what he meant.
Usborne books make evolutionary references, DK books make evolutionary references. If a book touches on origins or prehistory even and doesn't explicitly state anything from a creationist or ID point of view---what other view is there? Evolution
I've never seen a "hypoallergenic" science book. Even rs4k can't claim that. And that's mainly my point---personal philosophies cannot be separated from science. Never has been---even the scientists themselves bring their baggage to their work.