tjarnold Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Just wondering if any of you have ever made the TOPS Science books the centerpiece of your science curriculum over the long haul. I am wondering how feasible this would be for my 12yo and 10yo going forward ... Would the books be self-sufficient, or do you feel I would need a supplemental text/spine? Thanks, Tiffany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I love the TOPS books for experiments and hands-on involvement in the learning process. If you read the instruction/back ground page (facing page to the experiment page that you copy for the student), then you get a good deal more background. However, I do feel that a spine is important to flesh out the experiments. I like to have a good reference on hand that covers the same topic(s) as the TOPS book. If you haven't yet tried TOPS, then I'd suggest you pick one (maybe one for which you already have a spine on hand!) and try it out to see how it goes for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Just wondering if any of you have ever made the TOPS Science books the centerpiece of your science curriculum TOPS would NOT work as the centerpiece curriculum for a year of science -- - too short (you'd need 4-6 books to cover a whole year) - too specific (each booklet only covers one specific subtopic from one of the general science fields of life science, earth science, chemistry, or physics) - NO information / instruction - just a series of guided experiments I am wondering how feasible this would be for my 12yo and 10yo going forward ... Would the books be self-sufficient, or do you feel I would need a supplemental text/spine? Those middle school years (gr. 6-8) are especially perfect for using TOPS as a SUPPLEMENT. You definitely need a spine. We used the Reader's Digest "How ... Works" books along with related TOPS units (plus library books, websites, and either experiments from the books or other kits) for a terrific, educational, and fun middle school science. grade 6 - Reader's Digest How Earth Works - TOPS Rocks & Minerals (get the accompanying supply kit) - Rader's earth science for kids website = http://www.geography4kids.com/ - google searched for various geological features/topics as we read about them - library books -- children or teen non-fiction section on various earth science topics grade 7 - Reader's Digest How Science Works (half -- the chemistry sections) - TOPS Analysis (get the accompanying supply kit) - TOPS Solutions (uses a lot of the supplies from the Analysis kit) - TOPS Heat - TOPS Adhesion and Cohesion - Rader's chemistry for kids website = http://www.chem4kids.com/ - library books -- children or teen non-fiction section on various chemistry topics - Mythbuster episodes grade 8 - Reader's Digest How Science Works (half -- the physics sections) - TOPS Focus Pocus (light) - TOPS Electricity** - TOPS Magnets** - TOPS Motion - Gears and Pulleys kit - Adventures in Science: How Things Work (simple machines) ** the Adventures in Science kits for Electricity, and for Magnets also very good - library books -- children or teen non-fiction section on various earth science topics - NOVA episodes; Mythbuster episodes I do NOT recommend the TOPS units "Light" or "Sound"; too many expensive items to try to get; could not reproduce a number of the experiments; no explanations, so some experiments we did we didn't "get" what it was supposed to show or what we were supposed to have learned from it. Below are past threads on TOPS for other experiences on specific kits. BEST of luck in finding what works best for your family! Warmly, Lori D. TOPS has a new website + supplies http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118605&highlight=TOPS+science Anyone use TOPS for science? http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114437&highlight=TOPS+science For anyone who has used TOPS for science... http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107701&highlight=TOPS Anone use TOPS science? http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26225&highlight=TOPS TOPS Primary Lentil Science http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59554&highlight=TOPS Science: AIMS vs TOPS vs GEMS http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44942&highlight=TOPS TOPS Science http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9523&highlight=TOPS TOPS Science -- need help deciding which unit http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44835&highlight=TOPS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjarnold Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share Posted November 22, 2009 Thanks, ladies! This is excellent feedback. I do own some of the texts you've mentioned, so I'll have to check out some of the possible combinations. Tiffany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songbirdie Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I totally agree: TOPS aren't sufficient alone, but are a great supplement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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