krisperry Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 We are secular homeschoolers. I am looking for great resources for astronomy - a whole curriculum, or just individual pieces that I can pull together. What have you used and loved? I'm also interested in hearing what you hated (so I can tuck that info into my pocket as well) :tongue_smilie: Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I'd love to find a middle school astronomy course that is secular, too! What I'm currently using is this: http://www.amazon.com/Way-Universe-Works-Jayne-Parsons/dp/0789488906/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266809543&sr=1-1 It seems to have the right level of complexity for my 6th grader, who is a strong reader. I'd prefer something with a workbook, reviews, etc., built in, but I'm not aware of a secular option. What I haven't liked: http://www.amazon.com/How-Universe-Works-works/dp/0751308366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266809710&sr=1-1 Each unit consists of an introductory 2-page spread of highly detailed backround and history in tiny dense print, followed by several pages of experiments. The contrast between the difficult intro and the way-too-easy remainder was just frustrating for us. I'd be interested to hear of other options, too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisperry Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Glad to see that I'm not the only one that is stymied. I know that there is the Science Explorer Textbook but I strongly prefer not using textbooks. I much much prefer using books and adding in the labs and activities. I like Noeo's approach and would love something that is "that type" of thing but quite challenging.... I have a feeling I might be pulling this together myself. Argh, I was hoping not :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 How the Universe Works (Reader's Digest) There are a number of projects here that require too much! But the book was good. I coupled this with Janice VanCleave's book for upper level elementary. Janice VanCleave's Astronomy for Every Kid Nice book for hands-on study of astronomy Mike Lynch's books: Iowa Starwatch, Minnesota Starwatch, Indiana Starwatch, Southern California Skywatch... Find one that is close to your lattitude if you do not have one for your state--what you see will be the same. This is a book that a kid recommended to me; he was an astronomy geek, but he loved this book. LOL! Skywatch '10 put out by Sky and Telescope (skyandtelescope.com). I don't ever go without one of these to help me know what is going to be in the sky each month. Just one little magazine put out annually--under $10. Star Watch by Philip S. Harrington Not written specifically for kids, but a great book. This would work best for those of you who have some dark skies. Take a look at the reading level if you plan to have your child do it on his own. Simple Stargazing by Anton Vamplew I love this book. Although it is not a kid's book specifically, I think it is written at a little easier reading level than Star Watch. Vamplew has come out with another title that I'd like to get. The author spends his time trying to get Great Britain to fall in love with astronomy--you can find his website and videos of interviews. He emailed me after I wrote a review of his book on my blog! http://shadesofwhite.typepad.com/shades_of_white/2008/01/simple-starga-1.html A planisphere is always helpful. And if you can buy a green laser pointer, you can point out the stars more easily. I buy a good quality one: betapointer.com (the GPA 5), but other astronomy websites and ebay sells them (although ebay's may not be calibrated as well and the light might be dimmer). At night when you are outside, always keep this tucked next to your skin. Even in summer, the warmed diode works better and is brighter. Keep this out of reach of little hands--the light is not to be shined into anyone's eyes. There are a lot of other titles that I find on the shelf in our little Border's bookstore. If you have any bookstore in your area, go and sit down on the floor under the astronomy section and browse. You might find exactly what you want. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meet me in paris Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I was just looking at this one - it's a web-based course (self study/free) and it's kind of interesting... http://darkskyinstitute.org/astronomy.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 How the Universe Works Supplemented with Astronomy for Every Kid by Janice Van Cleave (JVC) Read, do experiments and write brief notes. Spaceship Earth The living planet Time and place Earth as a magnet (2-in. nail, horseshoe magnet, ruler, play-dough, compass, thread) JVC--#47 Night Lights (Paper punch, tissue paper, balloon) Find your latitude (Scott’s viewer) The time of day Finding north Sundial (paper plate, pencil) The time at night JVC--#59 Star Clock (Umbrella, chalk) (We will map the Big Dipper as it goes around Polaris throughout the school year) Year after year (We will find and be able to locate the constellations on the Zodiac) Our window into space Why is the sky blue and the sunset red? (glass gallon jug, bleach, flashlight) JVC--#45 Trapped (Straw, bar magnet, iron filings) JVC--#93 Darkness Light pollution Breaking free Rockets—made for 4-H (enasco.com) Space laboratories JVC--#97 Free Fall (plastic cup, clay) The Moon Earth’s satellite The Earth and the Moon The Moon’s orbit JVC--#54 Face Forward Lunar eclipse Moon spotting JVC--#50 Shiner (Bicycle reflector) JVC--#52 Changes (Styrofoam ball or small ball) Making a moon dial (Make a moon dial on paper. Observe 1 month. Mark dates.) Mapping the Moon Mapping the moon (photocopy p. 49 & enlarge for maps) The Moon’s surface Gravity and the Moon Measuring the Acceleration caused by gravity (2 balls—same size different weights) Going to the Moon How much can you lift on the moon? (1/2 gallon Orange Juice, jugs) JVC--#48 Moving Target (String, washer) Review/Test The Solar System A planetary family The Solar System to scale Size of planets (peppercorns, peas, plums—2, grapefruit—1, large orange—1) Planets on the move JVC--#5 Quicker JVC--#22 Curves(small paper cup, dark paper) Mercury JVC--#6 Hidden JVC--#7 Cover Up Venus JVC--#9 Hot Box (2 thermometers, tall jar with lid) (Observe the phases of Venus with binoculars or telescope) Mars Why Mars is red (sand, steel wool) Exploring Mars Testing for life (3 jars, sand, salt, yeast, baking powder, labels, sugar) Jupiter JVC--#15 Red Spot (1-gal. Jar, tea bag) JVC--#16 Glimmer (Flashlight, baby powder) JVC--#19 Charged (Wool cloth, plastic) Saturn JVC--#20 See Through (Poster board) Uranus Backlit rings (clear litter bottle, candle, flashlight) Neptune The condensing atmosphere on Triton JVC--#27 How Far? (Tack board, tacks, string) Pluto and Planet X Planetary probes JVC--#87 Bouncer (Flashlight, mirror) Comets (Build a wall with play-dough on a study piece of cardboard. Rotate a marble inside.) Shooting stars Why meteors are hot The Sun Our local star The Sun’s energy The heat of the sun (Chocolate bar, magnifying glass) A star close up A sunspot projector (poster board—2, binoculars)—2 days The Sun’s Light (Prism) Inside the Sun Ringing like a bell (cooking oil) The solar cycle Solar eclipse JVC--#35 Blackout Review/Test The Stars Starlight and star life Star theater The constellations Dialing the stars (Learn to use the planisphere) Starlight JVC--#62 Spreader JVC--#63 Brighter (Aluminum foil, black paper How far are the stars? JVC--# 61 Distant Stars (Modeling clay) Red giants and white dwarfs Double trouble Star birth How stars are born (bicycle pump) JVC--#70 Silhouette (Lamp) Star death Why stars explode (2 balls) Pulsars and black holes JVC--#60 Shrinking (2 balloons, glass jars) JVC--#68 Unequal (9 in. balloon) The Cosmos Galaxies and beyond The Milky Way JVC--#67 Hazy (Paper punch, black paper) Mapping the Milky Way The structure of our Galaxy Galaxies galore Galaxy Spotting Clusters of galaxies Quasars The expanding Universe Big Bang to Big Crunch Is anyone there? Stars of the northern skies (Child needs to be able to find basic summer and winter constellations) Stars of the southern skies Review/Test Possible projects: Telescope (p. 12); Building your own Galileo model (p. 83) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 There is Math & the Cosmos, but I've never used it. http://www.wildridge.com/mc_overview.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Have you checked NASA's website? When we went to Cape Canaveral many years ago, they had educational packets available for homeschoolers/educators. I think I had to fill out a form and they sent it to me, but it's not exactly a curriculum. We used what was sent. There have been many great suggestions posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 There is Math & the Cosmos, but I've never used it. http://www.wildridge.com/mc_overview.html My 12yo dd is just finishing this as one component of our astronomy study this year. She loves it! She's learning a lot and I'm pleasantly surprised at her retention, as well as her ability to discuss the topics intelligently with the rest of us (or, rather, *teach* the topics... ;-) Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisperry Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Wow, lots of information. Thank you. I can't wait to sit down and sort through it all. I did check out the Math & Cosmos link. How long did it take you to go through this study. I see an outline of what it covers but I'm really left guessing as to the length of time it would take.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
housazoo Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 i was wondering the same thing!! i think it looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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