Michelle My Bell Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Which do you prefer and why? I am looking to use it with 7 & 10 year old dd's, with the focus on earth and space. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2J112903 Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 R.E.A.L because that is what we use and LOVE it :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 REAL Science Odyssey because I would want a secular program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 I've used both and I vote for REAL Science Odyssey hands-down. There are far more experiments, the written work is more engaging- diagrams to sketch, lab observations, and it's overall just more fun. I found CKE to be very bare bones, minimal on the information presented, the writing was dull, and the worksheets and experiments not very engaging. It did not lead my dc to want to read more but I found that we had to because there just wasn't enough information in the text. That said, REAL Science Odyssey isn't perfect and there are some attempts at humor that my dc and I rolled our eyes at, but overall I think it is a *much* better program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2J112903 Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 REAL Science Odyssey because I would want a secular program. We are Catholic, however we still prefer a secular Science curricula. So, yes, it is secular and that too was important to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 3, 2010 Author Share Posted August 3, 2010 Do you ever feel like there are too many experiments in R.E.A.L. and not enough teaching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Do you ever feel like there are too many experiments in R.E.A.L. and not enough teaching? Not in our case. We did chemistry and I think the experiments *were* the meat of the teaching. Really worked on the observation skills, forming a well thought out hypothesis, and careful diagrams of what actually happened. Not all the labs were experiments in the sense that we would think of them as. Some were making atoms and molecules out of marshmallows and toothpicks or making a flip book of electron levels. Lots of hands-on learning, which I think led to more retention in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 While I really enjoyed R.E.A.L. Science, I think that it's age recomendations are very loose. For our family, I wouldn't use Life or Earth for a 10yo and probably not for a 9yo, even 8yo is kinda iffy. But we did love them for k/1st and 1st/2nd. I haven't seen the Chemistry. I think they are great intros, but agree that they need beefed up for the upper ends of the recomended ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 While I really enjoyed R.E.A.L. Science, I think that it's age recomendations are very loose. For our family, I wouldn't use Life or Earth for a 10yo and probably not for a 9yo, even 8yo is kinda iffy. But we did love them for k/1st and 1st/2nd. I haven't seen the Chemistry. I think they are great intros, but agree that they need beefed up for the upper ends of the recomended ages. You're right. I should have read the OP more carefully. :blush: I used the chem one and I thought it was perfect for grade 3. I have Bio for grade 1 and I think it'll be a great fit. I don't know what the Earth/Space one is like and you're right... it's probably not enough for a 10yo. The 7yo should be fine. To the OP, sorry about my oversight. This PP is right about RSO's grade level recs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacey in MA Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Can't remember why, but I didn't care for it. Maybe too dry? Too long ago, sorry. But I wouldn't go back to the series based on that experience.... We may try REAL Earth and Space this year for my other DD. Glad to see so many "yea's" here for it! GL! - Stacey in MA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 RSO because we want secular science and because we're having a total blast with it! We actually get to science now and have fun. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick_Mom Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I found CKE to be very bare bones, minimal on the information presented, the writing was dull, and the worksheets and experiments not very engaging. It did not lead my dc to want to read more but I found that we had to because there just wasn't enough information in the text. My thoughts exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 RSO! It's such a full program and secular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama27 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I have used CKE Biology and it was BORING. We are using REAL Chemsitry and have used some of Life Science. REAL is much more interesting and hands-on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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