genny
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Posts posted by genny
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Have you looked at Pandia's REAL Science Odyssey stuff? It's very friendly-looking--there are previews on the site. I plan to use their Earth & Space next year.
Own and don't like it.
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I have science-loving 5 and 7 yr olds, and we basically do what you do (MSB dvds, library books).
Because I wanted *some* structure, I purchased a science textbook (A Closer Look, grade 1). I bought it used on Amazon.
We just go through it lesson by lesson. Most of the experiments are simple and illustrated. If I want to print any workbook stuff to go with it, it's available online for free.
I looked at Nancy Larson science, too, but I don't know that we'd like it. I like the idea of all-included... but it does look a bit dry.
If you don't mind a religious science source, I actually like the ACSI science workbooks for grades 1-3. They're not overly religious (IIRC) and they're worktexts that you can write in. Very colorful with great pictures -- you can see them at CBD.com.
I prefer a religious science source but not overly. I'll have to check out your suggestion. Do you know if the program you mentioned has a lot of hands on stuff.
Do you like the science textbook you are currently using or is it just okay? Hope you don't mind me asking...
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I forgot to mention what we have been doing. Magic School bus show and chapter books. Various National Geographic and Blue Planet type documentaries. Dinosaur books...
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My little one's are interested in science...I'm not :ohmy: :leaving: We've got our basics rolling along nice and efficiently :thumbup: I would like to add science into the mix next for them but I can't bring myself to use what I have :blushing: I have bfsu, real science and elemental science.... I look at them and am bored to tears (probably because science doesn't interest me or are they all just boring programs???). I would be teaching a 5 & 7 year old. They both love dinosaurs, planets, animals . I did the volcano exploding thing with red dye and baking soda. It was a huge success .... they made it and painted it. They both really enjoyed being involved in the process.
I need a program that is scripted but not boring (I don't mind scripted like aar, aas style). I would like all the explanation right in the curriculum (I don't want to buy additional books, internet or library books). Lot's of fun experiments that the kids can be involved in. Designed for a instructor with very limited science knowledge. :blushing: :lol:
I don't want to waste money on another science curriculum flop...someone point me in the right direction. I was looking at Nancy Larson but I can't really see too much of it from the sample pages. Also, I'm worried about it because it's from the same people who make Saxon math...right??? I bought Saxon and absolutely detested it .....sooooo boring IMO (no offense meant if you like it).
Throwing this post out there in the hopes of getting some insight on how to get out of this rut and get started instructing science and hopefully enjoy it along with the kiddos.
TIA :)
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Just wanted to add that LOE has a brief video on teaching cursive on their website for free. Maybe check the video out and see if the program interests you:)
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We love Pentime! But I was also having trouble with initial cursive instruction. May I ask what other program you use?
I'm using LOE rhythm of handwriting cursive. My dd needs explicit instruction on how to form letters and this has really made teaching cursive painless for me. I don't like the worksheets (very plain Jane) but we do them ... I like the option of different writing sizes. I go over letter formation with LOE one day and then find the corresponding letter in pentime to do the next day. It's working well for us.
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I love it for manuscript. I was having trouble with it for cursive with dd. I use another program for teaching cursive and use the pentime pages for practice. I love the price and think the books are cute.
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we kept it short and sweet today. We did 'i' from the rhythm of writing LOE and it went well! I like the chant to remember 'swing, down, dot'...it really helped her! I've decided to instruct with LOE and then find the same letter in pentime for her to practice the days following. I think I might practice too! :p
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I have never taught cursive but I clearly remember learning it in 1970 something. We just did pages and pages of each letter until we knew how to do it. It doesn't happen overnight.
Penmanship has never been her strong point .... manuscript took forever for her to catch on to ... actually holding her pencil correctly took A LOT of practice (she's slow in the motor skill development...not majorly but I notice a difference with her and others her age). She has actually pick up on the cursive letters I've shown her really quickly to my surprise :lol: I think pentime's formation of some of the letters is confusing her. I guess I will see today when we switch programs.
I wish I had been taught with pages and pages. Maybe my cursive wouldn't look sooo horrible! I don't even want to model letters for her in fear that she'll pick up my horrible looking letters :lol:
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I went through all my school stuff and remembered that I had purchased the pdf of LOE rhthym of handwriting. I think I'll teach her with this instead. When she's comfortable with connecting letters together, I think I will go back to using pentime.
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I'm not familiar with the curriculum you are using but we are using Cursive First. It teaches that you start all letters on the base line and for the 'clock letters', such as 'a' (and c g o d q) for example, you start at the base line and curve up and over like you are tracing a clock until you get to '2 o'clock', then turn around and trace backwards to make your letter a. Learning them that way makes it make sense more of how they connect. I'm sorry if that makes no sense at all!!! It's hard to explain. See if you can find an example to see online like through RR. I'll see if I can find something too.... It doesn't mean you need to buy it but if you seen how they explain it maybe you could explain it to her easier.
I'll take a look at cursive first at RR. Thanks
Just checked it out...it looks like d and a have tails in the front...pentime doesn't teach this and on has a tail after the a and d (don't know what you call that little curvy thing :lol: )....hmmm maybe I'll teach them with the initial curve in the front and see if that makes it easier for her.
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hmmm... dh suggested that I have her do all her letters at the baseline. Pentime has individual letters like d not starting at the baseline...start with a curve from the top. So far we have only down e, l, d and a. e and l she has no problems with and can connect to make words like eel. a and d she has trouble connecting into words.
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DD has just started learning cursive...we started with manuscript. She's doing great as far as forming individual letters but gets all confused when trying to connect letters together to form words. For example, when forming the word 'dad', she just can't seem to understand that you have to go backwards once you get at the top of the curve for a. I'm using pentime with her and it doesn't appear to have any useful chants or instruction (just practice pages). I do love pentime and don't want to switch but was hoping someone on here can help with the instructional side of teaching cursive. She's getting frustrated and I think it's because I can't explain well enough what to do.
Any help appreciated!
TIA
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I'm sorry, I was having a moment! :001_rolleyes: They're SuperStructs! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AS94JA/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and http://www.amazon.com/Superstructs-504-BIG-Builder/dp/B000ASARKK/ref=pd_bxgy_t_text_y
Try that link. We do have the keva plans/structures too. They're just different. With planks you build and do domino-type falls, very fun.
Those moments are many for me :tongue_smilie:
Thanks for posting the links.
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If you want something younger than Erectors, have you looked at Structures? They're sort of like more advanced Tinkertoys, and they do have wheels, gears, pulleys, etc..
I typed structures into amazon.com and it came up with a plank set...no wheels, gears, etc... Now you see why I posted here...I'm definitely not so good at searching for things :lol: Do you have a link by any chance?
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There are several kits. Some have connectors that click together. I prefer the ones with bolts and screws like this one:
nice!!! Thanks for the link:)
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None of our Zoob pieces have broken. Ds is quite gentle with his toys though. Ds' favourite set came with a car base that you pull back and it propels itself forward (no batteries needed).
The plastic Meccano can be done independently once he has been shown how it works. The metal Meccano would require lots of assistance.
I can't seem to find the plastic meccano...can you link me if possible...thanks:)
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My son loves Meccano. I think in the US it is called Erector. He started with the junior sets that are made of plastic. They have bars and plates that you attach together with large bolts and nuts. He built cars, helicopters, robots, dump trucks, etc. Some sets even have a motor. Now he has progressed to the metal sets (tiny bolts) and builds amazing contraptions (gondola that moves across a line, elevator, military helicopter with three motors, Ferris wheel).
He also has a set of Zoob. He mostly builds cars with that. It is much simpler than Meccano. The pieces simply snap together.
quick question do you find the zoob pieces to be durable...have any broken?
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does makedo have any wheels?
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ohhh zoob looks great for him :hurray: Is the meccano easy to do for a 5 year old or does it require adult assistance?
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I'm not sure if the post belongs here...sorry if it doesn't
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My son LOVES to build!!!! He grabs scraps, junk, toys and goes to the backyard or playroom and comes up with things like helicopters, digger trucks etc.. He's upset that they are not real and do not move :lol: Sooooo....I need something I can buy for him that would be suitable for his age and move :confused1: Sorry he's my first boy so this is all new to me...I was a doll kinda gal :lol: He has lego's but they don't move so although he likes them....they're not really exciting for him. He just turned 5....any suggestions?
TIA
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I went through my collection of readers and came up with henry and mudge, nate the great, danny and the dinosaur. I have a bunch of level 1 that are biscuit etc... I'm going to get him to go over these although they are easy for him. Balto might be to hard for him. The others are fancy nancy and amelia bedelia...don't think he'll like these. I wish there was something that was silly and humorous...this would motivate him to pick up a book.
ARGH....once again science question for k-2...
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I'm not too concerned about acquiring elementary grade science knowledge...it's pretty basic but I think I'm just finding the curriculum really boring. I don't want to dread doing science with them. I don't think it's necessary at this age to formally teach science but my kids are showing interest so I would like to accomodate their interests in a fun engaging way. I just can't seem to find a program I think we'd enjoy.
My hubby bought a Janice Vancleave experiment book and I also have mudpies and magnets. I don't want to just do a bunch of experiments without some kind of explanation to the science.
Sorry if I'm rambly. I guess I'm hoping someone will suggest something I haven't considered and it will be perfect. :tongue_smilie: