BFSU questions: do in order as printed in book? supplement to WTM science?

[Annabel Lee]

I just got my first ever peek at BFSU; vol. 2 arrived today. I got it used just to check out what all the hub-bub is about. I understand the hub-bub now. :)

 

I've had my 5th grader (young 10 y.o.) doing WTM logic-stage biology with little brother (3rd gr.) following along with grammar-stage expectations. I'm thinking of using BFSU 2 as a support material for that. For instance, when we study cells, we could cover all the BFSU lessons on cells, and so on.

 

For topics we won't cover in our WTM study this year, do you think it really matters which order the BFSU 2 lessons are done in? Couldn't I just do them in the order they are printed in the book? There seems to be this mystery floating around regarding how to know what order to do them in.

 

Thanks!

[Capt_Uhura]

I think you will be fine. However, I would attempt to cover topics that it lists as prerequisites. For example, if you're doing diffusion of gases in the human body, you need to do Brownian Motion and Diffusion in level 2 which needs atoms and molecules from Vol1. I just ordered vol2 and 3. I will be combining them. So I will find topics we want to cover this year in VOl3, see what the vol2 prerequisites are, and the vol1 prerequisites are those vol2 topics and cover those for my 3rd grader and then do Vol2 and then Vol 3.

 

The cool thing about BFSU is that it is so flexible. It is made to go w/ the flow of your child's interests.

[Annabel Lee]

I think you will be fine. However, I would attempt to cover topics that it lists as prerequisites. For example, if you're doing diffusion of gases in the human body, you need to do Brownian Motion and Diffusion in level 2 which needs atoms and molecules from Vol1. I just ordered vol2 and 3. I will be combining them. So I will find topics we want to cover this year in VOl3, see what the vol2 prerequisites are, and the vol1 prerequisites are those vol2 topics and cover those for my 3rd grader and then do Vol2 and then Vol 3.

 

The cool thing about BFSU is that it is so flexible. It is made to go w/ the flow of your child's interests.

 

Where do I find a clear listing of these prerequisites? The pages illustrating the "threads" at the beginning of the book somehow don't translate that way in my brain. Is this what those pages are saying or is this info found somewhere else?

Thanks!

[Capt_Uhura]

They are in vol 2 and 3. And VOl3 has a flowchart showing each of the three volumes.

 

From VOl2:

The lessons in this Volume build, expand, and utilize ideas and concepts gained from the lessons A-1 to A-10. Therefore, those lessons should be covered and reviewed as necessary before proceeding with lessons in this volume.

Additionally, some “A†lessons presented in BFSU [Vol. I] deserve ongoing periodic attention and expansion. Particularly pertinent in this regard are:

Lesson A-5. Distinguishing Materials

Lesson A-10. Rocks, Minerals, Crystals, Dirt and Soil

[Tracy]

Ultimately, the order does not really matter a whole lot. Dr. Nebel wanted to outline the prerequisite lessons while leaving lots of flexibility for lesson order. First and foremost, (in Dr. Nebel's philosophy) taking advantage of a child's interest (teaching opportunities) is most important. Secondly, what works for the family in actually doing science comes next. Dr. Nebel completely supports using BFSU in whatever way works for you, whether it be as a primary science program or a supplement.

 

A lot of people do get really hung up on scheduling the lessons, but that was not intended. Dr. Nebel did not want to dictate the order of the lessons so that you could take advantage of the teaching opportunities when they occur. So I would pay attention to the prerequisites, but ultimately, that should not completely dictate your schedule.

[Create Your Ritual]

I know that Momto2cs has flowcharts for both Vol I and Vol II on her blog here -

 

http://fromtherootsup.blogspot.com/2011/10/bfsu-flowcharts.html

 

I am following the one for Vol II with a few changes. I moved some things around to accommodate our interest in biology this year. I made note of any pre-requisites before I moved lessons though. I am also incorporating experiments of ES Biology and readings, The Elements from McHenry and a few experiments from Super Charged Science. I also ordered quite a few books that Nebel recommended from each section. We have worked our way through A-11, 12, 13 and on Friday we did B-13. After the cells we get into concepts of chemistry and will take a break to go through The Elements before returning to Microscopic Organisms... or I may do both at the same time with The Elements being one day a week, and BFSU twice a week.

 

Honestly I am all over the map with what we use, but BFSU is the main trunk of our studies and we are loving it. ES Biology delves more deeply into the kinds of plants and animals (which we will get to down the road), but there is nothing else I can find that teaches exactly what BFSU does, and in the same way.

 

I am also planning on doing a 6 week science fair project this year. ;-) ha... science overload. They love it though. We even watch Life by David Attenborough during lunch on the laptop.