Mama2two Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 What do you consider the most rigorous science? I need something to challenge my science loving son next year for 4th grade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thowell Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I think if your 4th grader loves science you might want to feed that love. I would not be so worried about rigorous at this age but exposure. What does he love? What are his interest? If he love science why not do a year of interest led to really get his juices flowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I'm going to be homeschooling my science-loving kid next year (1st grade) and my thought right now is to integrate science into his subjects as much as possible. So for history, do this - Ancient Science: 40 Time-Traveling, World-Exploring, History-Making ... By Jim Wiese instead of doing coloring pages and the like. With nature walks focus on biological/geological things, identifying the parts of seeds, or the type of rocks. Have short "unit studies" on special science topics (like flight) ready to go for rainy days. I am not a science person at all, so this will be really tough for me. But I'm hoping that it will help me answer all his "why?" questions and encourage his scientific mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arboreal TJ Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU) is the meatiest science I've found. The rigor depends on the parent/child but the potential is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 BFSU is rigorous, but not intuitive for many of us. I love it and own it, but have a difficult time making it work. OTOH, it might be perfect for you. It also depends on what kind of science he is interested in. Something like Exploration Education might be good, but it is just physical science. TOPS science units are great but they are only hands on. However, I have hands on science kids so they like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Ellen McHenry's curricula are accessible to a bright 4th grader and cover topics that I didn't see until H.S. or even college. They are very engaging as well. A lot of people like Nebel's Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU) but I personally prefer to follow the WTM 4 year science cycle rather than having all the different topics mixed into one book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2two Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Thanks for all the recommendations! He loves all areas of science. Challenging him is feeding his love for science. His is voracious for it and want to let him grow in his knowledge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I think rigor is a difficult concept when it comes to the sciences, at least before high school. Rigor can have a relatively clear meaning for skills subjects like math and can even be pretty clear for geography or history. But for science, I think most people would agree that just memorizing more science facts like you might for history, can't be the complete picture of rigor. And really "doing" science will look different from one house to another. I think science is the subject that, again, at least before high school, is the hardest to box in and fit into a curriculum. I haven't seen any science curriculum for elementary school that I would consider rigorous. Some of them, such as Ellen McHenry, delve into the subjects a bit more. Some of them, such as BFSU, have a really good scope and sequence and ask good questions. But most of them, like Elemental and Mr. Q's elementary books, are light surveys at best. I think "rigorous" science takes a parent who's willing to think outside the curriculum and to get messy, take chances, and make mistakes... like Ms. Frizzle says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 BFSU is about as rigorous as you can find, but it is teacher-intensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 If you have the funds I would get a microscope, slides, and many different science kits and let him explore. Library books can offer a wealth of information. If you want to go for a curriculum I might go for something from Ellen McHenry or CPO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2two Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 If you have the funds I would get a microscope, slides, and many different science kits and let him explore. Library books can offer a wealth of information. If you want to go for a curriculum I might go for something from Ellen McHenry or CPO. We have done that and we do the exploring already! I haven't looked at CPO science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenmama2 Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 BFSU and McHenry, Just echoing everyone else really. Have you read lewelma's posts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Prior to having completed algebra, the best science education is one that fosters a love of science and a curious nature. Honestly, if a child loves science and wants a future science career, ensuring strong math skills is probably more important than any science studied in elementary school. Exposure to a broad range of science topics that piques their imagination and helps them think about the world around them is all they need in terms of "rigorous" science. (Eta: just as a general pt of reference for those who might not understand why I stressed math skills, math drives science. A student with a love for science who possesses weak math skills will struggle in science courses.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2two Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Prior to having completed algebra, the best science education is one that fosters a love of science and a curious nature. Honestly, if a child loves science and wants a future science career, ensuring strong math skills is probably more important than any science studied in elementary school. Exposure to a broad range of science topics that piques their imagination and helps them think about the world around them is all they need in terms of "rigorous" science. (Eta: just as a general pt of reference for those who might not understand why I stressed math skills, math drives science. A student with a love for science who possesses weak math skills will struggle in science courses.) No, I will see if I can find them, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2two Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 I think rigor is a difficult concept when it comes to the sciences, at least before high school. Rigor can have a relatively clear meaning for skills subjects like math and can even be pretty clear for geography or history. But for science, I think most people would agree that just memorizing more science facts like you might for history, can't be the complete picture of rigor. And really "doing" science will look different from one house to another. I think science is the subject that, again, at least before high school, is the hardest to box in and fit into a curriculum. I haven't seen any science curriculum for elementary school that I would consider rigorous. Some of them, such as Ellen McHenry, delve into the subjects a bit more. Some of them, such as BFSU, have a really good scope and sequence and ask good questions. But most of them, like Elemental and Mr. Q's elementary books, are light surveys at best. I think "rigorous" science takes a parent who's willing to think outside the curriculum and to get messy, take chances, and make mistakes... like Ms. Frizzle says. Well said, I agree! I have been creating my own combining resources and adding to existing curriculum and would like to find something I could use on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Ellen McHenry's programs are truly fantastic for a science-loving kid. Very fun yet the content has great depth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 We just started Ellen McHenry's "The Brain", and my son LOVES it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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