coffeefreak Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Just kill me now! I'll be honest, we NEVER did Earth Science the first time around with my oldest. We did Astronomy first semester, and then I never did find something that caught our interest for Earth Science second semester, and then I had surgery so we never did it! Now, I need to do Earth Science with my youngest who will be in 4th grade next year and I have absolutely no idea where to start. I'm using AIG with my oldest for Earth Science this year, but I really don't think that it's a good curriculum for 4th grade. Is there nothing out there? Apologia has nothing, RS4K has nothing, NOEO doesn't even have earth science! I have Christian Kids Explore, but I don't like it. It's boring. I don't know, maybe I'm being stubborn, but there's got to be something better. Kwim? So, what have you got? What should we use? What has the Charlotte Mason feel with fun activities and experiments? What makes Earth Science fun? Thanks! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 (edited) Why do you need to do earth science? ETA: That was unhelpful, wasn't it? You could do part of Noeo Chemistry, reading the book Geology Rocks! and doing the included experiments, and filling in the rest with the encyclopedia/Mysteries and Marvels of Science narrations and links. I'd suggest getting this kit, too. It's like a unit study with labs and worksheets, but has plenty of non-consumables to continue learning along with the books. Edited January 27, 2012 by Lily_Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy2BeautifulGirls Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We are using R.E.A.L. Science, but not earth science yet. My girls love the program, though. Have you looked at that yet? You can try the first several lessons before you have to purchase it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We had a good time using some of the Science in a Nutshell kits for earth science, along with a science encyclopedia or two and library books for more info. http://www.deltaeducation.com/siangallery.aspx?subjectID=5&subID=5&menuID=67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApprentice Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey has an earth science curriculum. We are going to use Mr. Q next year with my 4th grader. The website is really good. His life science course is a free download, if you wanted to check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIE! Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 REAL Science Odyssey has been fun for our earth science this year. The Happy Scientist also has a few earth science units, and plenty of other great earth science stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 (edited) There is a vintage living book called Stories of Rocks and Minerals for the Grammar Grades by Harold W. Fairbanks. It is over a hundred years old, so a few discoveries have been made since then and so there are a couple inaccuracies (but I don't let that bother me, this isn't the only time they'll learn geology), but it is a delightful narrative. It also seems to have far more information than any elementary book on geology that I have ever seen. http://books.google.com/books?id=3i6VkgAACAAJ&dq=Stories+of+Rocks+and+Minerals+Fairbanks&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TbsiT-77FYrV0QGxmd2KCQ&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAA http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Rocks-Minerals-Grammar-Grades/dp/0217995578/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327676393&sr=8-1 Edited January 27, 2012 by Kalmia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorrainejmc Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I just received A Child's Geography by Ann Voskamp in the mail today so I can't really say what I think of it yet but it is Earth Science with a CM flavour and has suggestions for activities. It also includes a cd of "postcards" for notebooking, some maps, end of chapter review and copywork. I got for my dd who is 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Field trips make earth science fun. What region are you in? Most states have a variety of books about the local geology. Most kids love banging on rocks with rock hammers and trying to identify minerals. When you say cm-style, do you want one book that summarizes the topic, or a selection of a variety of earth science topics? Geology and earth science is my thing and I can ramble for pages, so I hestitate to start until I know which direction to go. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 (edited) Ambleside Online recommends a vintage book called Madam How and Lady Why. It is available for free on Kindle. I just downloaded it myself and haven't had much of a chance to look at it, but you can do the "Look Inside" thing at Amazon on the hardcover book. ETA: The Amazing Earth Model Book is good too - a lot of information presented in a hands-on manner. Edited January 27, 2012 by momto2Cs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We use CKE for a spine then add in a bunch of the books they recommend, plus some videos we find online. Also, we found some good science kits on CBD and Rainbow Resource we added in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 One thing you could use would be Science in a Nutshell: Rock Origins. You could use other of their kits, too, but they are pricey. The rock origins kit would help you cover all the basics. MSNucleus.org has a really good earth science program under their secondary listings. You might also like to pull some things from the primary listings. They have modules that you can read online (lots of pictures), or print out. They also include some labs and activities. Here is K-6 of the Rock Cycle: http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/rc/index.html They also have water cycle and plate tectonic cycle. And here is the secondary info: http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/jh/earth/index.html Each unit is pretty beefy.... Paired with additional library books on various topics and/or some science movies and you've got a program.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Why do you need to do earth science? ETA: That was unhelpful, wasn't it? You could do part of Noeo Chemistry, reading the book Geology Rocks! and doing the included experiments, and filling in the rest with the encyclopedia/Mysteries and Marvels of Science narrations and links. I'd suggest getting this kit, too. It's like a unit study with labs and worksheets, but has plenty of non-consumables to continue learning along with the books. :lol: Actually, I find it funny because I've asked myself the same thing. I guess because we've done everything else. She's been tagging along with her sister up until this year. Right now, we're studying animals. Next year, I thought Earth Science would be a good pairing with Ancient History. I'm going to do Astronomy the next year with the middle ages. Blessings! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Field trips make earth science fun. What region are you in? Most states have a variety of books about the local geology. Most kids love banging on rocks with rock hammers and trying to identify minerals. When you say cm-style, do you want one book that summarizes the topic, or a selection of a variety of earth science topics? Geology and earth science is my thing and I can ramble for pages, so I hestitate to start until I know which direction to go. :) We live in the Southwest, which should make me more excited to do Earth Science, right? I guess I want a program that does all the research for me. You know, a jumping off point. I don't mind going to the library and pulling books that cover the topic we're studying, but I don't want to create everything myself (lesson plans, experiments etc). I'm going to look at R.E.A.L. science, and the other suggestions here. That sounds like a good place to start! Thanks and keep the suggestions coming! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Has anyone used Sonlight or Winter Promise's Earth Science packages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We live in the Southwest, which should make me more excited to do Earth Science, right? I guess I want a program that does all the research for me. You know, a jumping off point. I don't mind going to the library and pulling books that cover the topic we're studying, but I don't want to create everything myself (lesson plans, experiments etc). I'm going to look at R.E.A.L. science, and the other suggestions here. That sounds like a good place to start! Thanks and keep the suggestions coming! Dorinda You are in the southwest? Awesome! In that case, I'd look into Geology of the Desert Southwest. It is written in an engaging style and has interesting projects and includes climate and geography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay3fer Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I just received A Child's Geography by Ann Voskamp in the mail today so I can't really say what I think of it yet but it is Earth Science with a CM flavour and has suggestions for activities. It also includes a cd of "postcards" for notebooking, some maps, end of chapter review and copywork. I got for my dd who is 10. :iagree:We are just starting ACG:1 and I'm very impressed with how thorough it is. However, I believe it takes a YE perspective, which may or may not suit your family. (we are NOT YE, but I plan to discuss that if and when we come to it) (I also just created this cute printable narration page this week to go along with it) I also bought Mr. Q Earth Science in the sale last week and am pretty impressed with that. Maybe I'm just easy to impress. :lol: But really, Mr. Q is chatty and conversational, but there's real science, experiments, worksheets. It feels CM yet very complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We love thse for science http://shop.creekedgepress.com/Earth-and-Space-Task-Card-Set-ES.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaReads Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We did earth science last year and really enjoyed it. We used the model book that was mentioned in a previous post, visited a cave, investigated local geology (state parks and roadside visits), made a rock collection, prepared the soil in our garden for planting, watched some movies, and checked out books at the library. That said, if you hate all of that stuff, then skip it... Your kids will survive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 We liked Ann Voskamp's book, but you need to add to it to get a complete earth science; I don't remember it going into rocks enough. We didn't care for RSO earth science and so did Voskamp plus library books and a rock sample kit I got from Rainbow Resource. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Last year ds completed a rocks and minerals unit, and he really enjoyed it. One great addition were the geology projects and readings in the book Science Smart. Truly a gem of a book, with meaningful and related projects. I am not a crafts person at all, but these projects are top-notch. Highly recommended, along with its companion book Nature Smart, both by Gwen Diehn. Next year we're doing the Geography projects and activities along with learning about countries through History. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluezoo5 Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Elemental Science is another option, that's the one I've been considering for us for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
didadeewiththree Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 We use CKE for a spine then add in a bunch of the books they recommend, plus some videos we find online. We do this too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 You are in the southwest? Awesome! In that case, I'd look into Geology of the Desert Southwest. It is written in an engaging style and has interesting projects and includes climate and geography. EXCELLENT! I like that book! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thia Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 We're using RSO Earth Science this year and at first I was completely turned off by it, but it's growing on me. I purchased the science kit, so I do have almost everything needed for the labs. What's missing (so far) has been common items like a big bowl. That said, if you go with this, you'll probably want an encyclopedia or two (I have a couple of Usborne books). What I wish I had done, as well, is scour the SL reading lists to see if there was anything else I wanted to add, but our budget ran out. The book itself does not have a ton of information, at least, not enough for us. Thus, the extra books. I've also been finding some interesting sites online to supp. as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaffodilDreams Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Elemental Science is another option, that's the one I've been considering for us for next year. We're doing ES Earth Science and Astronomy this year. Dd8 enjoys the topics, but the spines have proven to be a bit on the young side, so we're supplementing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Did anyone else see RS4K is supposed to have their Geology Unit out this fall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay3fer Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Elemental Science is another option, that's the one I've been considering for us for next year. I bought the Life Science one and was not impressed. If the OP is looking for something with a CM feel, I wouldn't recommend ES because there's no "there there." It's not a book, at best it's a reading guide, though I suppose there are suggested activities. Plus, I found the "art" and "poetry" highly unprofessional and insulting, and there were lots of typos in the books. (though I did write my own poems which are available for free download for anyone who IS using Life Science!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 We used Evan Moor books for Earth Sciences. We did Geology first, then water cycle, currently doing weather (using lapbooks instead of Evan Moor) and then will do apologia astronomy and repeat fossils with a paleontology focus not a geology focus, this summer we will come back to an Evan Moor title for a study of soil. Of course we added labs and field trips too. Definitely no CM, but the kids enjoyed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jengjohnson Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Thanks for this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 :bigear:WE are doing earth science in the fall. So I would like to try some of the ideas here. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 You are in the southwest? Awesome! In that case, I'd look into Geology of the Desert Southwest. It is written in an engaging style and has interesting projects and includes climate and geography. That looks FABULOUS! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 That looks FABULOUS! Thanks! You are welcome! The authors also have books in the same series for other regions: Pacific Northwest, Eastern Coast, and Great Plains. I've only personally seen the Pacific Northwest and Southwest books but I imagine the others are pretty good too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) Wow! There are some FUN things you can use at that age for Earth Science! Just get something for your "spine", go the the library every few weeks for a new armload of books on various "go-along" topics, and enjoy lots of hands-on kits and experiments in the books! spine ideas - Usborne Encyclopedia of Planet Earth - Geology Rocks: 50 Hands-On Activities for Exploring Planet Earth -- lots of hands-on, but enough info to use as a spine with other books as support - Rader's free Earth Science website - Exploring Planet Earth (Tiner) -- key scientists and discoveries in earth science cool books - National Geographic: Everything Rocks & Minerals (Tomecek) - Planet Earth Inside Out (Gibbons) - Magic School Bus: Inside Planet Earth (Cole) - Rocks & Minerals (Eyewitness Explorer) - loads of library books on volcanoes, earthquakes, caves, erosion, glaciers, biomes ("climate zones" -- desert, arctic, ocean, jungle, etc.) hands-on activities, kits - Janice Van Cleave's Earth Science for Every Kid - gem and mineral excavation kit - break your own geode kit - rock kit Edited February 7, 2012 by Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 You are welcome! The authors also have books in the same series for other regions: Pacific Northwest, :001_smile: Thanks!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Wow! There are some FUN things you can use at that age for Earth Science! Just get something for your "spine", go the the library every few weeks for a new armload of books on various "go-along" topics, and enjoy lots of hands-on kits and experiments in the books! spine ideas - Usborne Encyclopedia of Planet Earth - Geology Rocks: 50 Hands-On Activities for Exploring Planet Earth -- lots of hands-on, but enough info to use as a spine with other books as support - Rader's free Earth Science website - Exploring Planet Earth (Tiner) -- key scientists and discoveries in earth science cool books - National Geographic: Everything Rocks & Minerals (Tomecek) - Planet Earth Inside Out (Gibbons) - Magic School Bus: Inside Planet Earth (Cole) - Rocks & Minerals (Eyewitness Explorer) - loads of library books on volcanoes, earthquakes, caves, erosion, glaciers, biomes ("climate zones" -- desert, arctic, ocean, jungle, etc.) hands-on activities, kits - Janice Van Cleave's Earth Science for Every Kid - gem and mineral excavation kit - break your own geode kit - rock kit Excellent list!!!!! Sometimes I think looking for curriculum is like writer's block. :tongue_smilie: Thanks for all the suggestions! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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