Jayne J Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I have a little extra jingle in my budget and would really really like to make science more interesting for my ds. We are doing the WTM rotation and recommended books, but I want to add some experiment books, or kits or something fun. I am completely inept at designing science curricula. I need someone to lay it all out and explain it all for me. I have the Jan Van Cleave books and can't really figure out what to do with them and when (yes, it is that bad. I look at them and think "well, that seems kind of a big waste of time and energy when a two sentence explanation will cover it.") So, what have you used to supplement earth and space science that was easy, well laid out, relevant and actually educational--that your kids liked? Not like I'm asking for the stars or anything...:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Kirsten~ Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I'd urge you to check out How the Earth Works: 60 Fun Activities for Exploring Volcanoes, Fossils, Earthquakes, and more and Geology Rocks! Someone on here posted an 8-week geology schedule using mostly those books, and it looks fantastic! My daughter is on a rock/geology kick, so I picked up both books from the library, and there's a lot of fun, fun stuff in them. I think How the Earth Works is much more straight forward and easy to follow, though Geology Rocks! has things to pull out, like making a marshmallow model of the earth. Also, if you have some spare change, maybe take a peek at the Home Science Tools website. A rock collection or a specific experiment kit might jump out at you and really make things fun. Hopefully someone who's actually done the 2nd grade WTM rotation will chime in. Ooooh, another thought! Check out Paige's Elemental Science. For $15, you can download her e-book that (at least for biology) utilizes VanCleave books and lays it out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicoleA Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 We're not using it (yet), but you can see a sample of Mr. Q's Earth Science curriculum here: http://www.eequalsmcq.com/ES%20Chapter%20Download.htm (He offers his Life Science course for free, and you can check out his other courses as well. Extremely fun and informative!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 We have, and love, the Amazing Earth Model Book. Someone on this board recommended Amazing Solar System Models You Can Build Yourself. We plan on using both these next year in our Earth & Space studies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne J Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 Thank you all! I am off to check out all the great suggestions listed so far. Kirsten--I love the idea of someone organizing and laying out the resources I already own! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Jo Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I'd urge you to check out How the Earth Works: 60 Fun Activities for Exploring Volcanoes, Fossils, Earthquakes, and more and Geology Rocks! Someone on here posted an 8-week geology schedule using mostly those books, and it looks fantastic! If you find a link I'd love to see it! (My search didn't work.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Have you used the Science in a Nutshell kits from Delta Science? I LOVE them and they have some great earth science/space kits! Our favorites were: Destination Moon Earth and Sun Our Changing Earth But we tried a few others that were fun too. They list the level at third to sixth grade for most of them, however, if you help with the reading and/or writing you can easily use them with younger kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 :lurk5: My mom bought the boys this and this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I have a little extra jingle in my budget and would really really like to make science more interesting for my ds. We are doing the WTM rotation and recommended books, but I want to add some experiment books, or kits or something fun. I am completely inept at designing science curricula. I need someone to lay it all out and explain it all for me. I have the Jan Van Cleave books and can't really figure out what to do with them and when (yes, it is that bad. I look at them and think "well, that seems kind of a big waste of time and energy when a two sentence explanation will cover it.") So, what have you used to supplement earth and space science that was easy, well laid out, relevant and actually educational--that your kids liked? Not like I'm asking for the stars or anything...:lol: binoculars microscope make a garden constellation charts go stargazing visit a planetarium visit a greenhouse go rock hunting visit a geological museum talk to a geologist watch volcano or earthquake videos teach how to draw, and go on a drawing of rocks or mountains field trip buy some Dover colouring books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treestarfae Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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