ereks mom Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 We're using MFW ECC and we're not really enjoying Properties of Ecosystems. It's... well... boring. I'd love to find a textbook to use as a spine, grade level 4/5/6-ish. Or is there a series of "real" books that you'd recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 :bigear: except for 2-4 grade level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 You might look at Usborne's World of Animals. We were going to use it for Life Science last year, but it wasn't organized the way I was hoping for. It is instead organized by habitat type. It didn't work for us, but maybe it will work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/index.html http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0165-biomes.php http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/ http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/15-science/62-biomes.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petepie2 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 God's Design has an ecosystems book in their chemistry series: http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Chemistry-Ecology-Properties-of-Ecosystems,5970,191.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share Posted September 3, 2011 God's Design has an ecosystems book in their chemistry series: http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Chemistry-Ecology-Properties-of-Ecosystems,5970,191.aspx This is the one I have and I'm looking to replace it with something else. It is SO boring. Zzzzzzzzzz... LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share Posted September 3, 2011 http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/index.html http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0165-biomes.php http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/ http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/15-science/62-biomes.html These look wonderful, but I'm actually looking for a book my student can take home to read. (I'm teaching a friend's child in addition to my own.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 We're using Science Explorer Environmental Science as a spine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 (edited) I made lesson plans linked here that included lots of library book, online resources, lesson, and activity options for the various biomes. I made the plans with 2nd grade kids in mind! But some of the the book lists (Nat. Science Teacher Association lists) I used for ideas spanned all ages and I know some of the books I previewed from the library were too old for my boys. In those plans I am using the Planet Earth DVD's. They are very interesting, well done, and appropriate for that age range as well if you're open to media options. They cover from Pole to Pole, Mountains, Fresh Water, Caves, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Great Plains, Jungles, Shallow Seas, Seasonal Forests, and Oceans. Those DVD's with a great library book for each or a good spine would be really great I think. One (not spine) idea might be the One Small Square books that go with the various biomes. I thought they were too much for young kids but maybe they'd be just right for that age perhaps. They are very good books imo. Edited September 4, 2011 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 One (not spine) idea might be the One Small Square books that go with the various biomes. I thought they were too much for young kids but maybe they'd be just right for that age perhaps. :iagree: I was just going to suggest these! They are fabulous books, and not boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 How about Janice VanCleave's Science Around the World: Activities on Biomes from Pole to Pole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 I made lesson plans linked here that included lots of library book, online resources, lesson, and activity options for the various biomes. I made the plans with 2nd grade kids in mind! But some of the the book lists (Nat. Science Teacher Association lists) I used for ideas spanned all ages and I know some of the books I previewed from the library were too old for my boys. In those plans I am using the Planet Earth DVD's. They are very interesting, well done, and appropriate for that age range as well if you're open to media options. They cover from Pole to Pole, Mountains, Fresh Water, Caves, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Great Plains, Jungles, Shallow Seas, Seasonal Forests, and Oceans. Those DVD's with a great library book for each or a good spine would be really great I think. One (not spine) idea might be the One Small Square books that go with the various biomes. I thought they were too much for young kids but maybe they'd be just right for that age perhaps. They are very good books imo. How about Janice VanCleave's Science Around the World: Activities on Biomes from Pole to Pole? Yeah! Thanks for posting these! This is helping me plan for next year's science. :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 I thought Mr. Q. Life Science covered biomes pretty well. The Life Science curriculum is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 (edited) OOPS! I READ YOUR GRADE 4/5/6 AS AGE 4/5/6. BUT I'LL KEEP THE POST UP IN CASE SOMEONE ELSE CAN USE IT. We like the VanCleave book too. When my kids were younger, I was looking for biome materials -- I did not find a "spine" at that point, but got habitat/biome books in series. A publishing company I really like is Crabtree Publishing. You can download their library catalogue (more books than the classroom one) and then order on Amazon. http://www.crabtreebooks.com/catalog.php I also use book suggestions from Core Knowledge, as habitats are done in 1st grade. There are good suggestions in Books to Build On and in the curriculum plan on the CK website -- you probably wouldn't want to use any of the (school-type) plans in their entirety, but the reading lists are excellent. My dc responded best to books that personalized the habitats -- for example, Cactus Hotel, does a great job describing deserts. Salamander Room is a fantastic picture book about how all parts of the habitat work together. The Great Kapok Tree, Welcome to the Green House..... sorry, I don't have a list ready to go. But I found that our best learning came from a few well chosen books in each habitat/biome, rather than a more textbooky approach. And my kids also like the Safari toobs for different habitats. ETA anything by Gail Gibbons Edited September 4, 2011 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 IIn those plans I am using the Planet Earth DVD's. They are very interesting, well done, and appropriate for that age range as well if you're open to media options. They cover from Pole to Pole, Mountains, Fresh Water, Caves, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Great Plains, Jungles, Shallow Seas, Seasonal Forests, and Oceans. Does anyone know if these are available on Netflix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julikins Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm using the same program and am following suggestions that I found on the MFW Books Forum for ECC. A lady on there put together a way of summarizing and using the Properties of Ecosystems in a way that will make it more understandable and less boring for younger kids. I'm using it the way she suggests and it's making it much more easy to use and the kids are now enjoying it. I think the key is not to feel like you have to read every word and do every activity. Do what you can and summarize the rest so the kids enjoy it. I tried to upload the file, but it was too big to attach here. If you want it, let me know and I can e-mail it to you or direct you to it online. Just another thought if you aren't able to find something you like to replace it. The Planet DVD's look good too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Does anyone know if these are available on Netflix? They are available on Discovery Streaming. Not sure about Netflix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm using the same program and am following suggestions that I found on the MFW Books Forum for ECC. A lady on there put together a way of summarizing and using the Properties of Ecosystems in a way that will make it more understandable and less boring for younger kids. I'm using it the way she suggests and it's making it much more easy to use and the kids are now enjoying it. I think the key is not to feel like you have to read every word and do every activity. Do what you can and summarize the rest so the kids enjoy it. I tried to upload the file, but it was too big to attach here. If you want it, let me know and I can e-mail it to you or direct you to it online. Just another thought if you aren't able to find something you like to replace it. The Planet DVD's look good too! :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I think they are on Netflix, but DVD option only. No streaming. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 We are doing ECC as well and my dc love Property of Ecosystems!! Anyways- We utilize this website alot! I is not a book spine but you might get alot out of it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 They are available on Discovery Streaming. Not sure about Netflix. Wonderful! We have a free subscription to Discovery Streaming. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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