Dinah Zike- Great Science Adventures

[Walking-Iris]

Anyone who uses/has used these books---could I have your reviews? I've come to the slow realization over the last couple years that we much prefer the unit study approach to science. I really like RealScience4Kids (which I consider a unit study since each book sticks with one topic and they can be completed in about 10 weeks), but they are pricey and I would use them as I can find them used. They're not quite priced for me to buy twice a year, several years in a row. We are really enjoying the chemistry book and I know the full texts are online, but nothing like having that book in your hands. I also really like ScienceWorks (and I plan on continuing them, mostly with my Kinder). I've looked at TOPS and really like their layout as well and will likely supplement with them as we go along.

 

Preferably, the more hands-on and less workbook the science is, the better. I like books that are multi-level so I can adapt them to my age range of kids. I also like books that can be picked up and put down as the mood strikes us, but can still be completed without too much stress within the year, with wiggle room for rabbit trails (we've been known to pick up random science books from the library and drop other things to work/play through them). I also really prefer books that are (mostly) non-consumable since science is pricey and I have three kids.

 

I know WTM recommends Dinah Zike for the grammar stage as early as 1st, but I was feeling more inclined to use them with my older (4th) ds. And in a different order (possibly) than WTM suggests. It seems reasonable that two books could be done in a year.

 

Mainly I want to know: secular? non-secular? how much you enjoyed/didn't enjoy the books? pros/cons? how difficult/time consuming are the "lapbooks"? did your kid enjoy them? did they retain the information?

 

~Thanks

[oraetstudia]

No religious slant for the books we used (astronomy and one on earth science). Prep was minimal and it didn't take much time. My kids, however, HATED the program. We tried it twice in two different years. They thought that science was the worst thing in the world. When we did RS4K the next year after our second year trying Great Science Adventures they loved it.

 

Now you may have a different experience entirely, but I am not able to give the program high marks.

[Lori D.]

My extended review and explanation of how these work, plus links to other past threads, plus lots of thoughts from others who have used these:

DZ's Great Adventures in Science -- what do you think of these?

 

 

In answer to your specific questions:

 

 

Preferably, the more hands-on and less workbook the science is, the better...I also really prefer books that are (mostly) non-consumable since science is pricey and I have three kids.

 

They are not consumable/workbooks. However, because of the photocopying and because the hands-on is not really included, you WILL need to spend more on science than just the purchase of the GSA books. Also, because GSA books are more set up to be a guideline for how to explore various topics, there's not as much information as you'd want to make this a spine, either, so you'll be spending time at the library (or money at the bookstore) finding additional resources for more information.

 

Some people use the GSA as consumables by tearing out the pages and making all the little booklets straight from the GSA book, instead of going and making a set of photocopied pages for making all the booklets for each child.The hands-on part is not really included in GSA -- it is more suggestions for hands-on, which you would then have to expend the time and money to find/purchase. If you are more looking for hands-on go-alongs, then TOPS units you mentioned would be the better fit.

 

 

I like books that are multi-level so I can adapt them to my age range of kids.

 

While GSA is listed for grades 1-8, I would say more realistically it fits grades 3-5. For grades 1-2, the scissor/paper aspect would be daunting. For grades 6-8, there really isn't enough informational "meat". So, if your age range is middle-to-late-elementary, then (just my opinion) GSA would be a match for you.

 

 

Mainly I want to know: secular? non-secular?

 

Pretty much secular, as I recall.

 

 

 

how much you enjoyed/didn't enjoy the books? pros/cons? how difficult/time consuming are the "lapbooks"?

 

Ended up not really working for what *I* wanted, which was a science "spine" with specific experiments:

- too little information

- too much just a "resource list of suggestions"

- too much about copying/cutting/folding paper

 

 

did your kid enjoy them?

 

No. Two DSs who hate arts/crafts, so cutting/folding/gluing etc. totally NOT the cool hands-on science kits and experiments that they really loved and learned from.

 

 

did they retain the information?

 

Well, I ended up using SO many resources, it's hard to tell if the information was retained from the GSA or from the other resources. I'm inclined to say not so much from the GSA, though, just because they weren't "into" the arts/crafts aspect of the program.

 

 

 

One resource we used and really enjoyed in those grades 2-5 years was the Demsey Parr (DP) Science Encyclopedia. (Looks like you can get these used included shipping for just $4-5.) We used it as our "spine", added lots of library children's non-fiction books that went into more depth on the various topics, enjoyed the experiments included in the DP, plus loads of other kits and experiments, and made our own great science adventures. :) For grades 4-6, check out the Rader science websites (free, secular) as possible "spines" for the various science topics:

 

Biology 4 Kids

Earth Science 4 Kids

Chemistry 4 Kids

Physics 4 Kids

Astronomy 4 Kids

 

BEST of luck finding what works best for your family science adventures! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited February 6, 2012 by Lori D.

[Walking-Iris]

Thanks for the replies. I think this is something I'm going to have to give more thought too---try to get my hands on one and see what it's like. I don't mind making lapbooks with the kiddos but I want more hands-on science and not so much making a *thing*---

 

I like the idea of them having lists of recommended resources though. That's something that is missing in some science books I've looked at.

 

Thanks again.

[oraetstudia]

Have you looked at Noeo? I've been pleased with the books and resources they put together.

[Laura in STL]

I have done a few of the GSA books and have different opinions of each one. I did the chemistry one (can't remember the exact name right now) when dc were in 1st and 3rd. We loved it that year. My 1st grader was a girl with great fine motor who loved to cut, so the scissors weren't a problem. We used them in conjunction with RS4K chemistry level 1. It was a good combination, because the GSA reinforced the information in RS4K, and the lap book activities helped them retain. We could go back and easily look at the lap books for review. The book made four lap books that you then connected to make a cube. It was a nice project by the end of the year.

 

This year I have ds6th and dd4th going through three earth science/astronomy GSA books. I knew they would be light for this age without a lot of stretching, but I'm ok with adding on to a program, so I went with them. This year I have DK Smithsonian Earth and Universe to use as a spine for reading and notebook pages. We also use Usborne Science Encyclopedia for reading and exploring the links online. With their ages this year the online aspect has been very fun for them. The GSA books I have this year don't make lap books like the chem did. They make several tab type books instead, which are ok, but not like one main project. I guess I feel like we could have just used our spines, done the online stuff, and made our own notebook pages or outlines without the GSA books this year. I haven't liked the hands on as much this time around. I probably would have been better off with a Van Cleave experiment book plus the resources I already mentioned.

 

I think it was a combination of the specific books I used and the age of my dc that made the difference.

[just Jenny]

We have the Chemistry book. I find it so simple. I doesn't have too much information (which I appreciate). All of it seems necessary and builds on the other material. I found myself wishing that I had had this book during my high school chemistry, which for me was a gigantic question mark from start to finish! I think they make Chemistry so easy and enjoyable.

 

My son likes them so well, he does them at night after school is over, by himself. (We do them during our school day too.) He is in 1st grade.

 

The curriculum is secular, and I use the book without making copies. We are going to continue with their books. I have ordered the geology and plants books.

Edited February 8, 2012 by just Jenny

[Walking-Iris]

I have done a few of the GSA books and have different opinions of each one. I did the chemistry one (can't remember the exact name right now) when dc were in 1st and 3rd. We loved it that year. My 1st grader was a girl with great fine motor who loved to cut, so the scissors weren't a problem. We used them in conjunction with RS4K chemistry level 1. It was a good combination, because the GSA reinforced the information in RS4K, and the lap book activities helped them retain. We could go back and easily look at the lap books for review. The book made four lap books that you then connected to make a cube. It was a nice project by the end of the year.

 

This year I have ds6th and dd4th going through three earth science/astronomy GSA books. I knew they would be light for this age without a lot of stretching, but I'm ok with adding on to a program, so I went with them. This year I have DK Smithsonian Earth and Universe to use as a spine for reading and notebook pages. We also use Usborne Science Encyclopedia for reading and exploring the links online. With their ages this year the online aspect has been very fun for them. The GSA books I have this year don't make lap books like the chem did. They make several tab type books instead, which are ok, but not like one main project. I guess I feel like we could have just used our spines, done the online stuff, and made our own notebook pages or outlines without the GSA books this year. I haven't liked the hands on as much this time around. I probably would have been better off with a Van Cleave experiment book plus the resources I already mentioned.

 

I think it was a combination of the specific books I used and the age of my dc that made the difference.

 

 

This is what I had in mind. Not using them alone but with other science reading books, some TOPS activities and yes, even VanCleave. (I have a few of her books that we haven't really explored completely yet). Science has always been tricky for me because I haven't found that *one* program that I would just buy, use, and call it good. Nothing really appeals to me out there as a stand alone or "spine". I actually like the idea that the books don't have you making the same style of project each book---because that gets old fast around here. I always have to change things to keep the interest high. I like the idea of making the "lapbook", but it seems like I would have to supplement with some activity books.

 

Thanks again for the help guys!