First week with MPH Science

[UmMusa]

My two older kids and I are both not too impressed with MPH Science level 5/6. It's new, so I'm going to give it a good few weeks to get used to, but I guess I feel like I'm not sure how to teach it. I was lured by the glossy text pages, nice pictures with labels, and all the workbooks and stuff. However, do I (and them) read aloud from the section in the book and discuss new words and topics then move on the to the Activity Book, Homework book, and then HOTS? My 5th grader flipped out earlier trying to fill in the Homework book and the HOTS for chapter 1. I think he flipped b/c the questions were challenging (which makes me think we're slacking in language or in science from last year).

 

Ok, I will stick with it and hope to see them rise up to it.

 

Any advice or BTDT?

[Dmmetler]

My DD is enjoying it-we do the text and activity book together, plus follow rabbit trails, watch videos on Discovery education and read library books, then come back and do the Homework and HOTS. Doing it that way seems to work-but I do suspect strongly that it's expected that teachers will use the text as a spine and add more to it. I expect it also helps that I have a science-minded kid who reads science books for fun, so we've yet to hit a topic that she hasn't had some prior knowledge of.

[sagira]

We're not using the 5/6, but just started the 3/4. Ds8 and I enjoy it. There is so much more to it when you have the TM. I bought the TM used and half off, and I'm so glad I did. It includes detailed lesson plans, ideas on how to present the material, background info for teachers.. it's invaluable for me. Ds went on the computer too, checking out the suggested Internet links for chapter 1. Tomorrow we're going to the local library, jewelry store and grocery store to see the diversity in their items and how each establishment classifies. It's a meaty and rich curriculum.

Edited September 8, 2011 by sagira

[Dana]

My DD is enjoying it-we do the text and activity book together, plus follow rabbit trails, watch videos on Discovery education and read library books, then come back and do the Homework and HOTS. Doing it that way seems to work-but I do suspect strongly that it's expected that teachers will use the text as a spine and add more to it.

 

:iagree:

 

We're doing 3/4 and I do use the TM.

The More Notes book does have additional websites (some with dead links at this point) but putting that together with library books does help a lot.

The HW is definitely a bit further extension/review of the text/activity books and the HOTS really stretches :)

 

We also do the tests & they aren't as much of a stretch as the HOTS but they are more difficult than the HW. I like that it gives the test as a learning opportunity rather than just a regurgitation.