scbusf Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Quick background: DS is 6.5, and I just withdrew him from pubic school, where he was in the 1st grade. He did very little science in that school. He is gifted, as well as has some sensory processing issues. My issue(s): - He LOVES science. Totally eats it up. - We are on a TIGHT budget. - For now, we are using library books and learning about each type of animal (Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Fish, etc) - We also watch YouTube videos and shows on various channels. We also use various books with experiments. - I am willing to continue to piece together stuff for him, but I am worried it won't be enough. I have looked at Noeo and I feel like I could do a similar job, so why bother buying it? I have looked at RSO. I LOVE their worksheets, but I don't love the "textbook". I also think the science isn't enough for him. I have looked at Elemental Science and I like the program, but I don't love the artwork on the worksheets. Petty, I know!!! So. Any advice? Continue piecing together? Is there something else I should check out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Mr. Q's Life Science is available as a FREE download, and it's a great combo of "meaty" content and humor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I pieced it together at that age and for many years after that. If you are looking for some resources and ideas you can look through some of our science studies. I have their links posted on the left hand side of my blog. I mostly used library books and activities and started using a textbook in 5th grade. My oldest child lives and breathes science. Right now we are in the middle of a year long invertebrate study :) I wouldn't worry that it won't be enough. Science was definitely an important part of our homeschool because of my son's love, but I didn't use any program beyond one RS4K book until 5th grade and in 5th grade he had no problem using a textbook typically used in 9th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black-eyed Suzan Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Welcome! :) I'm not sure that it's necessary for you, but check out Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding. They have 2 versions: K-2nd and 3rd-5th. I have the K-2 edition, and the author makes a point of saying that the material requirements were designed with budget in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I pieced it together at that age and for many years after that. If you are looking for some resources and ideas you can look through some of our science studies. I have their links posted on the left hand side of my blog. I mostly used library books and activities and started using a textbook in 5th grade. My oldest child lives and breathes science. Right now we are in the middle of a year long invertebrate study :) I wouldn't worry that it won't be enough. Science was definitely an important part of our homeschool because of my son's love, but I didn't use any program beyond one RS4K book until 5th grade and in 5th grade he had no problem using a textbook typically used in 9th grade. I agree, except we don't ever use textbks until high school level credit courses. Reading trade books on science topics is the only way we cover science up to that pt. My kids have had zero problems transitioning to a textbk and have had zero problems with "missing" content. Fwiw, I now have a child that is a professional chemical engineer and did extremely well in college and an 11th grader that made a 5 last yr on the chem AP and a very high A in cal physics at local university last semester. Even my lit-loving college freshman dd made A's last semester in both chemistry and anatomy and physiology. Just sharing that bc I am not stating hypothetical outcome, but real results. K-12 education takes place over more than a decade. Covering a variety of topics yr after yrs builds a solid educational base for future science studies. This link has a list that is a good starting place for those that want some sort of guide to good science bks for kids. http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/default.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 We use RSO and its very easy to beef up with good library books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanikit Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I am using BFSU 1(Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding) with my 5 year old and she loves it. Except for the cost of the book (and there is a $5 PDF version available) it has cost me almost nothing and she is learning a large amount. It does take a bit of parental planning to implement but I have found this time worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenmama2 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 My daughter (6.5) & I loved BFSU last year. She has recently started McHenry's Elements & loves it. We also read a lot & she eats up documentaries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 we adore mr. q just adore it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Another vote for BFSU. It provides surprisingly great content, given the recommended grade levels. For kids who really love science, there is an opportunity to go pretty indepth and to really foster more scientific thinking skills. To make it easier for myself, I just read through the material with ds instead of preparing the lesson in advance. I found that this was not a barrier for my son, who was highly motivated to learn science. And it made my life so much simpler and easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 We are working very slowly through the me.q life science. Ds5.5 likes it and ds3.5 is happy to listen in. you can add stuff as the mood takes you but it gives you a framework Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Another vote for BFSU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Let me just add . . . BFSU!!!! It is a very meaty curriculum for K-2. Even my physics teacher dh enjoys it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 We piece together for my science-obsessed guy. The two that have worked the best for us in pieces are Intellego units and GEMS units. We are now doing a 3 month science/engineering investigation and that has been awesome as well. So I vote for piecing it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scbusf Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Thanks everyone! Piecing it is!!!!! I have made notes of all the materials mentioned here and am looking into them. I think DS would LOVE Ellen McHenry's stuff. After we finish our overview of animals, I think we'll do her Elements unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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