nmoira Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 DD the Elder would like to do an astronomy unit after physical geography is finished. I want something truly, secular, not secular by omission as Runkle's World Physical Geography turned out to be. :glare: She doesn't want more living books at this point (she has already read, and loved Stannard's Uncle Albert books) but a more systematic approach. She will probably be attending an astronomy camp this summer. Does anyone have any favourite resources? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Not a text, but excellent. Both are streaming on Netflix. The Universe is fairly inexpensive on Amazon if you don't have Netflix: The Universe (The History Channel) How the Universe Works (Discovery) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHomeScientist Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 DD the Elder would like to do an astronomy unit after physical geography is finished. I want something truly, secular, not secular by omission as Runkle's World Physical Geography turned out to be. :glare: She doesn't want more living books at this point (she has already read, and loved Stannard's Uncle Albert books) but a more systematic approach. She will probably be attending an astronomy camp this summer. Does anyone have any favourite resources? Contact your local astronomy club. http://www.astronomyclubs.com/state/Oregon Most clubs love to get young people involved in observing, and many have school outreach and other programs for kids. Most also have regularly scheduled public observations, where a bunch of club members set up telescopes and spend the evening showing visitors the sights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiKC Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I want something truly, secular, not secular by omission as Runkle's World Physical Geography turned out to be. :glare: ? We're using Runkle, and I must have missed something. What do you mean? What's omitted? I must be rather dense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Astronomy for All Ages by Philip Harrington and Edward Pascuzzi is a collection of activities, things like building your own spetroscope, finding constellations with a map and red-tinted flashlight, making an analemma, building a mini model solar system to show the scale of the distances between objects in space. Great explanations are included but you will probably still need to use the book as a jumping off point to research the topics demonstrated or observed in each activity. A quick scan just now to double check showed me several matter-of-fact references to billions and billions of years. It's not a history of the universe. It is a guide to the modern day sky that is not afraid to say that what we see up there is very old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) We're using Runkle, and I must have missed something. What do you mean? What's omitted? I must be rather dense... It talks about geological processes without using the phrase "millions/billions of years;" about plate tectonics without continental drift; a brief note about the source of heat in the Earth's core attributes it solely to radioactivity, ignoring the residual heat from planetary accretion. I'm supplementing primarily with a TV series called How the Earth was Made (Netflix Instant Watch). It's a bit sensationalistic, but the information and graphics are good, and it doesn't shy away from discussing geological time. Runkle's makes no mention of any fact which goes against the idea of a young Earth. It's "secular" only in the sense that neither does it give "evidence" supporting YE. I purchased the materials before realizing this, but since it's a subject I'm comfortable enough with to supplement and add additional information on the fly, I decided to use it anyway. I wish I'd heard of Tarbuck beforehand, but I didn't think of looking at college texts for non-majors. Edited February 20, 2012 by nmoira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Take a look at the Astronomy for Dummies book. Despite the terrible name, the book is actually a good place to start for astronomy textbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Here's one called Stars from H.A. Rey, the guy who wrote Curious George. I have no idea whether it would be considered secular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) Have you seen either of these? Wonders of the Universe And Wonders of the Solar System By Brian Cox (dvds) I ordered them from Amazon UK but they seem now available on the regular amazon site and books. Now, I know you didn't want living books (does that mean you want a dying book? ;) ) but I've got All About the Stars by Anne White, which is a basic intro, and Rose Wyler's New Golden Book of Astronomy. They are both sort of interesting, and I haven't seen anything new earth or religious in them, but I have to remind you that there is a Little Brown School Book called The Night Sky Book with oodles of activities. That might be a fun add in?? I found the Uncle Albert books thanks to you, btw. I cannot believe you have 240 books in Science:A Reading Year. Yikes. Edited February 20, 2012 by stripe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyK Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I have heard good things about Rose City Astronomers even though I haven't gotten it together to get us involved with their programs. I think they have club(s) for kids/teens. I'm wondering if the members would have ideas of curricula. I didn't go, but this last summer some group had an astronomer speak a couple of times at Timberline Lodge. I'm also wondering if the OMSI store would have some books and DVDs that you could look at before buying. I'm also wondering if you could contact Emily Ladakwalla (sp?). I follow her on twitter and I knows she periodically reviews children's books. Her kids are younger but perhaps she would have some good ideas about curricula. She certainly would know if books and DVDs are scientifically accurate if she has seen/read them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 I cannot believe you have 240 books in Science:A Reading Year. Yikes.She hasn't read all of the heftier books on the list, and a number are pretty slim (e.g. the Jean Craighead George books). It's been an interesting year, and she's just wrapping up now with The Wild Life of Our Bodies. She would like to do another, non-science, "reading year," but she hasn't yet decided on a topic. I added some extra topical readings (my choice) three or four days a week, and post them here: https://plus.google.com/s/moira%20nielsen%20extra%20homeschool%20science%20readings These will continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 I'm also wondering if you could contact Emily Ladakwalla (sp?).Ah, I follow her on Google+... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Thanks everyone, I have a heap of stuff to go through tonight. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I just bought my kids the Holt Science and Technology Short Course Astronomy book. It's a 6th-8th grade text, but my 3rd and 4th graders are really enjoying reading it. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Stoker Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDad Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 One of my dc participated in an astronomy class IRL led by Hadassah. On one of her WTM threads, Hadassah posted a whole long list of astronomy books she recommended for that age group. Can't find it right now, but if you do a little digging you'll find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Have you seen either of these? Wonders of the Universe And Wonders of the Solar System By Brian Cox (dvds) s. The accompanying books are pretty awesome too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Have you checked out Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy from Great Courses? Professor Alexander Filippenko gives the lecture, you would probably recognize him from science documentaries. It's always on sale, the lowest price I've found is $189. Expensive, yes, but really.really good. Otherwise, I'm waiting for RS4K to come out with their study bundle for Astronomy. ETA: Forgot to mention libraries sometimes carry the Great Courses. We have just been watching this one, it's pretty good. (Found ours at the library) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiKC Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Have you seen either of these? Wonders of the Universe And Wonders of the Solar System By Brian Cox (dvds) I These look awesome! But what age? Would middle-schoolers like them and/or halfway understand them? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Thanks again! I'll update when we decide what to use. If she chooses videos, the whole family is going to get in on the action. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 DD the Elder would like to do an astronomy unit after physical geography is finished. I want something truly, secular, not secular by omission as Runkle's World Physical Geography turned out to be. :glare: She doesn't want more living books at this point (she has already read, and loved Stannard's Uncle Albert books) but a more systematic approach. She will probably be attending an astronomy camp this summer. Does anyone have any favourite resources? I wasn't sure from your post whether you meant stargazing or astronomy. For the first, I'd suggest the Holt Science & Technology series -- secular middle school textbooks. They are full of info, readable and well illustrated. I've just seen the full textbooks, but you can get modules too -- so you could just get the astronomy section of the earth science book. And slightly older used copies can be fine. http://holtmcdougal.hmhco.com/hm/series.htm?level2Code=MSIB10011&level3Code=6_MS For stargazing, I second the Dickinson Backyard Astronomer's Guide. Two other books that I have found amazingly helpful: Hewitt-White, Patterns in the Sky Ramotowski, Secrets of Stargazing You could also down load Stellarium planetarium software for free. I find it helpful to look at the night sky for my time & place before going out to look at the stars. My other advice (which has been said here many times by people more experience than I am) -- don't get a telescope; go to stargazing events of local clubs, colleges, etc; get binoculars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) My son is really enjoying Astronomy Demystified, which we found at the library. I can't really comment because astronomy is his thing. He wanted to learn more than the basics so he's been reading through various books on is own. Edited February 25, 2012 by joannqn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Originally Posted by PlumCrazyMomof3 View PostHave you checked out Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy from Great Courses? Professor Alexander Filippenko gives the lecture, you would probably recognize him from science documentaries. It's always on sale, the lowest price I've found is $189. Expensive, yes, but really.really good. Otherwise, I'm waiting for RS4K to come out with their study bundle for Astronomy. ETA: Forgot to mention libraries sometimes carry the Great Courses. We have just been watching this one, it's pretty good. (Found ours at the library) This made me smile. Ds thinks the Professor F is fabulous and that the lectures are "beyond amazing." ;) Those lectures and Professor F's text, The Cosmos, are what convinced him to want to major in astrophysics. FWIW, I wouldn't use the course w/o first having had basic high school physics and only w/students that are going to enjoy a college lecture presentation. Through the Wormhole,Cosmic Collisions, How the Universe Works, Nova's 3 part series (can't think of it off the top of my head), etc are going to be far more interesting for younger ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 Here's what we've put together so far: Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe Manga Guide to the Universe Bang!: The Complete History of the Universe (we already had this :001_smile:) Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End Do Your Ears Pop in Space and 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel Plus the Bad Astronomy blog (this is part of our regular rotation anyway), and the Q & BA videos on YouTube. I haven't yet chosen a video series. "Understanding the Universe" looks fantastic, but I've just paid for the camp itself (I was hoping there'd still be places when the 40% off sale starts the first week of July, but no such luck) and don't think I can swing it this year. Thanks again for your help. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 I have used Astronomy A Self Teaching Guide by Dinah L. Moche as a spine. It's been some time, and I can't find my list of others/films we used, but the guide work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Here's what we've put together so far: Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe Manga Guide to the Universe Bang!: The Complete History of the Universe (we already had this :001_smile:) Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End Do Your Ears Pop in Space and 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel Plus the Bad Astronomy blog (this is part of our regular rotation anyway), and the Q & BA videos on YouTube. I haven't yet chosen a video series. "Understanding the Universe" looks fantastic, but I've just paid for the camp itself (I was hoping there'd still be places when the 40% off sale starts the first week of July, but no such luck) and don't think I can swing it this year. Thanks again for your help. :D these are great resources! thank you for listing these. Since beginning the Intellego Astronomy Unit, my boys want more resources! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Our current plan is to use the Intellego Astronomy unit we just got from HSBC along with a different dvd series from Great Courses: "My Favorite Universe," with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. She loves him from seeing NOVA ScienceNow. Amazon has them listed for less than $20 right now. There are a number of reviews who criticize it for the science level not being high enough for college or that it's "appropriate for middleschoolers," which makes it just right for us at the moment ;), especially with my non-math-oriented artist daughter. Another resource, since she likes reading, is "George's Secret Key to the Universe," a juvenile book written by Stephen Hawking and his daughter, Lucy. You can do a "look inside" on Amazon. There are also sequels (but I haven't read them) called "George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt" and "George and the Big Bang." The illustrations in the first included gorgeous photos from the Hubble telescope. I'm going to have to look for "Death from the Skies," as it's just up my daughter's alley! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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