Mandarinmom Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I checked samples of pages from REAL science by Pandia press for Life curriculum. The content page and the samples look very exciting. Does anyone have experience with it? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damselfly Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I purchased the R.E.A.L. Science (Life Science) and am planning on using it for first grade next-next year (DS will only be in K this fall). After extensive research, it *seems* to be a perfect fit. I love the layout of the chapters and how well it corresponds with the WTM recommendations for Life Science. I haven't really heard many comments from people who have actually used it, and am curious to know their opinions as well. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBP Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 We used their Earth Science one year (2nd grade, I think) and I thought it was wonderful. It was the most successful year I've ever had teaching science, that's for sure. It was everything I'd been looking for in a science program - secular, easy to teach, labs were doable. I could augment it with library books if I wanted to, but I didn't absolutely have to have them to get a lesson done. (I had tried Living Learning Books the year before and nearly went insane trying to keep up with all those books - definitely not for me.) My one complaint is that I was SO SICK OF ROCKS by the time we got through that unit. My kids actually liked it, but I found it very tedious to teach. That's truly not the fault of the program, however :D. I'm sorry I can't comment specifically on the Life Science, but based on my experience with Earth and Space, I'd bet it's great. SBP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 We're doing Life for 2nd grade this year. My 2nd grader has LOVED science--it's her favorite subject. It's very hands-on without being crafty. For example, in the study of earthworms, we dug up earthworms and tested to see whether they liked light or dark, a rough surface or smooth, wet or dry. Then we held vinegar up to their "noses" to see whether they reacted (I won't spoil it for you by telling you what happens). In another unit, we observed a snail--it actually ate our carrot! I can't believe I've turned into someone who puts exclamation marks in sentences involving snails, but I digress. Besides the hands-on-the-animals, you make a notebook and complete lab pages on the topic you are studying. The notebooking, though, is more along the lines of "write 3 interesting facts about echinoderms" than "color this starfish." It's useful craftiness. The only thing we're adding to the program is that we're taking pictures of many of the labs and adding those to our science notebook--my daughter remembers everything better if it involves a picture of her. Without a doubt, however, this program gets a big thumbs up from both of us. :thumbup1: Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camibami Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I *love* it. We've used both years, and I wish, wish, wish there were higher levels available. I have my oldest going into 5th, and the science choices are dismally boring or religious. Blech. Labs are fun, easy and actually reinforce the concepts- not just "fun". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay in Cal Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 We're finishing the Life Science year right now. It has been a great success... my ds loves science, and this has been a great balance of easy to implement and meaty enough for him. We really love it! There are some crafty type activities, but most of the experiments are really good basic science. I've already bought the Earth and Space for next year, and we're ready to go... so sad there aren't more levels available:crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 We have used both Life and Earth (just a few labs left) and loved them. We have just started making the Solar System Book and the boys were very excited to bring out thier old Animal Kingdom books. Nice because the craft ideas aren't usually a big hit hear. The earthworm lab was great, we also loved the blood model we made with dried beans, red hots, and corn syrup, they loved finding the cell parts in an egg, and so many other labs. I really think the Life program is a little more fun, just because it is harder to do hands on labs for many of the earth and space subjects, but we have just started rusting some steel wool to see why Mars is so red, and are waiting for a hot day to try out our solar ovens (made from pringles cans and hangers and just perfect for cooking one hot dog!) I am also dissapointed that other levels haven't been made. Because I didn't think that TWTM recomendations would keep me on task enough, I bought the schedule for Chemistry from easyclassical.com. I hope we enjoy it as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allearia Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 We're about half way through Life Science and really love it. Even though it is one of our favorites science sometimes gets pushed off to another day for the other subjects, or we woulod be further, but will probably finish by the end of summer. We will definitely be doing Earth Science next year, and I am hoping they come out with more levels, supposedly they have some new authors but we'll see if they come out with Chemistry and Physics soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 LOVE REAL Science. I wish they had more than 2 books. I feel it's done an excellent job in growing DD's scientific knowledge without dumbing it down or moving too fast. Very easy for the parent to follow as well - no guesswork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 We used LIFE last year with my son who was 5. We added additional reading from the library as well as some videos from United Streaming and has a great year of science. We both really enjoyed it and I keep hoping that the next levels will be out soon. I highly recommend it!:thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osaubi Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 :iagree: With everyone else! I got the life program after some recomendations on this board. We are just into unit 7, but it has been a perfect fit for my ds5. He is not into crafts, or experiments that take a long time. When we finish this we will be getting the Earth and Science program. I did hear that Pandia Press found a new science writer, and they are working on a new book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linders Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Just agreeing with others, this program is excellent. As a science major and a teacher of science at our co-op, I have found this program to be both entertaining and educational for my DS. I like the rumor that there might be more levels to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shasta Mom Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 4th grader? It seems that all the reviewers talked about the program with younger kids.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 4th grader? It seems that all the reviewers talked about the program with younger kids.... My sister has stayed with us for a few months here and there for the past couple of years (I think she may stay for a long time this time), and has done some of the expiraments with us from about 4th to 6th grade. I don't think she learned much from any of them. If you had younger kids that were doing the program and for what ever reason want a lighter science program with her then if you added lots of books and a report or two she could probably follow along, but as it is written (and even the books suggested) are probably not enough for a 4th grader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I bought R.E.A.L Earth and Space to use with our 8yo/3rd grader. I was quite excited about it, because seemed thorough and it's secular. I have found parts of it just OK and parts a total yawn. DS isn't much interested in it and moans when I get it out. I am quite disappointed in the depth it goes on some subjects. For instance covering weather, basically you learn there is rain, wind, heat from the sun, a water cycle, an atmosphere. It's all very very very basic. I felt it wasn't enough. We all know there is rain, but where does it come from? What creates wind? How does the atmosphere help us? Why does the earth not freeze everynight? None of these were covered, just the fact they existed. I ended up supplimenting heavily for the first section, and I have put it away to look at later in the year when we do another science "block" I'm hoping it might be slightly more helpful for rocks etc. Perhaps I am being unrealistic in terms of the depth one can go if one is expected to cover Earth Science and Astronomy in a year, I'm pretty new to all this. If that's the case I'd rather do less well rather than more poorly. I wasn't impressed and won't be getting Earth Science for DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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