runamuk Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I've bought everything for 4th grade except science and I still have no idea what to buy. We tried RS4K, but my daughter didn't care for it and the experiments didn't always work. I bought the Usborne and Kingfisher books and tried to cobble together my own program, but ended up doing nothing. I then bought Adventures of Atoms & Molecules and it came with a wonderful (handwritten) schedule of readings and experiments, but the my daughter hated the Kingfisher readings. So I used AA&M with RS4K and it worked for a while, but I didn't like having to figure it all out myself so science didn't get done. Science was never my strong point when I was in school. I found the textbooks dull and the lectures coma-inducing. I never understood chemistry and even rescheduled my physics class for an art class. What I need is a program that is laid out for me. I don't want to have to figure out what chapter to read next, what experiment goes with what chapter, or figure out what supplemental readings to pick up for the material. I'd like a CM based science program and my daughter wants experiments and activities. I'd like to learn about scientists along with the scientific principles. It needs to be fun and secular. Is there a science curriculum out there for us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irizarry4 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 :lurk5::lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandwich in Wi Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 We have not been very good at keeping up either. I have RS4K to try with my dd this year. Blessings, Sandwich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzannah Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 When DS was in 4th grade I think we just followed the WTM recommendations (old ones...don't know if they've changed with the new edition) and used a couple of the "Science in a Nutshell" Kits for physics. They were great. All the supplies are included in a plastic container along with instructions and lab books (enough for 4 students.) I don't know that I'll do the same thing next time around just because I keep hearing about all these other science programs and I may want to try some of them. But honestly, the nutshell kits were great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysparkler Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm planning on using "Developing Critical Thinking through Science" Book 2 with my 4th grader next year. It is by Critical Thinking Co. (my favorite publisher!) Here is a link: http://www.criticalthinking.com/series/087/index_c.jsp We really like the hands-on experiments (most of which use everyday household items). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 When DS was in 4th grade I think we just followed the WTM recommendations (old ones...don't know if they've changed with the new edition) and used a couple of the "Science in a Nutshell" Kits for physics. They were great. All the supplies are included in a plastic container along with instructions and lab books (enough for 4 students.) I don't know that I'll do the same thing next time around just because I keep hearing about all these other science programs and I may want to try some of them. But honestly, the nutshell kits were great. Highjacking... I am so glad to hear this! We're planning to use three of them next year (along with two TOPS kits and a Thames & Kosmos kit). We're going to share ours with a friend, at least, so that splits some of the cost. What books (if any) did you use along with the kits? Can I ask which ones you used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We used "The Elements" this year and loved it. There is enough where it could be used all year. I finally understand more about chemistry and there are games and activities included in the teacher's notes. If you do a search here you can see that many people have been quite pleased with this curriculum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiechoke Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We downloaded the sample lessons from REAL Science Odyssey (Pandia Press) and the kids love it. I'm using it for 4th grade with a tagalong 1rst grader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcara Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 My 4th grader will be doing NOEO Physics 2 next year. If R.E.A.L. had their Physics course out, I would have really looked at it. I'll be using their Earth Science for my 2nd grader next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzannah Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Highjacking... I am so glad to hear this! We're planning to use three of them next year (along with two TOPS kits and a Thames & Kosmos kit). We're going to share ours with a friend, at least, so that splits some of the cost. What books (if any) did you use along with the kits? Can I ask which ones you used? Umm, I've slept since then. ;) I think our routine was to read the lesson from the kit, look up definitions in the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia and copy them for the notebook. We'd do the experiment, answering the questions in the lab book. I can't remember now if we did a separate write-up or if the lab book was it. But the experiments were fun (we did "Electrical Connections" and "Energy and Motion.") Oh yeah, and we used a little book about simple machines for a few weeks at the beginning of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irizarry4 Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Have you considered/taken a look at NOEO? We are really enjoying NOEO and I HAVE tried tons of secular science books/programs. I haven't liked any as much as NOEO. Have you used NOEO with different grade levels? I will have a 2nd and 5th graders. But I really don't have time to do separate science lessons... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in SouthGa Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Take a look at easyclassical.com The samples look awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greensummervillian Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We're almost done with NOEO chemistry 2, and I plan to buy physics 2 next. I used it with my 4th and 2nd graders. Some of it was over my 2nd grader's head, but a surprising amount was not. She's not academically advanced either. My 4th grader is, which is why we went with level 2. NOEO is easy to use, and not too overwhelming, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greensummervillian Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Kim, thanks for the suggestion to use easy classical. I thought I was going to go with NOEO again, but I may have to reconsider. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We downloaded the sample lessons from REAL Science Odyssey (Pandia Press) and the kids love it. I'm using it for 4th grade with a tagalong 1rst grader. I was going to say this too. You could always add living books on the subjects and biographies of scientists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spetzi Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I wanted to second Noeo www.noeoscience.com. It's been fabulous! I felt that level II Chem was quite above level I Physics, but we've enjoyed the books, experiments and we actually get it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willowcreek Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Chiming in on the question: Noeo or RS4K?--I have an advanced 3rd grader and 5th grader (bright but does not like to notebook or write.) He's a kinesthetic learner (natural outdoorsman, mechanic), but a calm personality. Both are boys--who has advice between these two? We're doing History Odyssey so they'll get plenty of narration/summary work in other subjects. Noeo or RS4K? I need to do the same program with both (have an older child as well). Advise, please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymama Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I used RS4K and Atoms and Molecules 1 and 2 with my boys and they did well. The lessons were simple but fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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