sarahv Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 I would like to work in an introductory Science project/lesson in once a week to our current schedule. I already do a kind of "relaxed-reading on Science ideas" a couple of times a week, and we study animals and things as the boys are interested in them, but I'd like to do a general Science project once a week - particularly so they can do it with their dad. He loves Science and would enjoy being involved in the Homeschooling process in this way. I love it that he wants to be involved, and would rather clean up the mess than make it. :D I love how Science excursion is a simple lesson and project once a week, and comes with all the stuff. That is totally ideal. But I read just recently that's it's not very well organized, and that's a truly make or break for me on the curriculum level. Anybody have any ideas? I'm looking for a gentle introduction to scientific ideas that is easy to follow and organized that can be done once a week. I don't mind tweaking, I do that with everything anyway, but I don't have lots of time to tweak. (It would also be a plus if it didn't contain a ton of evolutionary language, although I don't mind wading through some.) Having a kit would be awesome, but it would have to be organized. I don't mind finding all the stuff, as long as it's not too hard to get at fairly regular places (Wal-mart, etc.) I wouldn't even mind a book to follow, I just need suggestions. Help!! :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 How about Elemental Science? Here's a link: http://elementalscience.com/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Sorry, I'm not aware of anything like what you describe. However, what about this book. It looks like a great overview of lots of different topics. We use her books in conjunction with Elemental Science (which I would also suggest, although it does not totally fit your criteria) and the experiments are simple, there are short explanations to accompany them and they use materials you would most likely have or are easy to get. An idea would be to take a weekend and assemble baggies with all your supplies ahead of time. We've done several VanCleave books and experiments over the past 2+ years and really like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 If you're looking for excellent science, project-based, that is well-organized but does not come in a box, check out http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/GEMS These are made for a range of grades, so kids can easily work together. You do the materials-finding (the lower levels are not that much) and sometimes you set things up. The teachers' guides contain detailed plans, background information, often data sheets or a place for kids to draw what they see, lists of related fiction and non-fiction books if you want them, ideas for extensions and assessments (if you do that sort of thing). The guides are made with classrooms in mind, but I've done about half of everything there, mostly with dd alone, sometimes at science parties or in a small co-op setting; just make sure you adjust the materials list for two kids rather than thirty. Having to put together some simple materials is more than made up for by the enormously engaging activities, the responses of kids when they get their hands into the activities, and the solid science skills that get developed. These were the best things we found when dd was elementary aged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbie Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 I 2nd Elemental Science. My k/1st dd is loving it. I can get it done on one day when we are busy or stretch it out when we have more time. It's her favorite subject now. All the experiments come from More Mudpies to Magnets. I guess you could just use that book and skip ES. I just like how ES breaks it down for me and gives dd lab sheets to draw pics of our experiments. This week we made crystals and made icing in secondary colors for sugar cookies. I usually only do one lab a week, but we missed last week. This is very flexible and easy to implement.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheBugsMom Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 For my 5 yr old this year we are doing the Magic School Bus kits. She is having a blast. I have her make lab pages of the things we are doing, drawing pictures and narrating what happened. I add in the MSB DVDs to go along with whatever kit we are doing and read the book. She wants this to be the first thing she does in school each day. The kits are fairly cheap...$10-$18 and have tons of things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in VA Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 The best I've seen for this age is Elemental Science. It isn't necessary to have a true curriculum at this age. You could just read books and watch Magic School Bus (which we LOVE) but if you are like me and want something organized, Elemental Science is good, doable and very affordable. After many stops and starts with how to handle science for my youngest, I am very pleased. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I love BFSU. I do it once per week with dd5. It takes very little preparation. The lessons are very clear about what the objective is and how to get there. There are lots of suggestions for enrichment. Yet it is also very easy to tweak if you want to. And it is less than $30 for 3 years of material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 we're in 2nd and just started elemental science---LOVE LOVE IT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahv Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Off to check all the great suggestions!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guateangel Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 we're in 2nd and just started elemental science---LOVE LOVE IT! :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Elliot Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I 2nd Elemental Science. My k/1st dd is loving it. I can get it done on one day when we are busy or stretch it out when we have more time. It's her favorite subject now. All the experiments come from More Mudpies to Magnets. I guess you could just use that book and skip ES. I just like how ES breaks it down for me and gives dd lab sheets to draw pics of our experiments. This week we made crystals and made icing in secondary colors for sugar cookies. I usually only do one lab a week, but we missed last week. This is very flexible and easy to implement.:001_smile: :iagree:Wholeheartedly! We are loving Intro to Science. It's easy and fun. My dc are learning so much. You would have no problems doing it just one day a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 If I weren't using BFSU, I would be using Elemental Science. Ds is in 2nd now, but we've been using BFSU in K and 1st. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahv Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Elemental Science looks like a hit! I like the looks of it. Thanks for sharing -- off to buy! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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