shukriyya Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Has anyone done Logic Stage Life Science TWTM-way successfully? I've seen various posts and threads indicating that it's not a good approach to science. As I look over the guidelines in TWTM, look at the book lists and more specifically examine the progression of experiments I have to say that I'm encouraged by how systematic it seems while at the same time leaving lots of room for rabbit trails etc. I'd love to hear feedback on how it did or didn't work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in CA Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 We have pretty much done Science the WTM way. I have never been able to find a Science program to use. We have always decided on the broad subject matter i.e. physics (that's where we are this year). I pretty much choose a book as a spine; really just to make sure we cover most topics. We go from there and follow trails, go back to spine to continue until we find some new trail. This has worked well for us and is certainly more enjoyable than anything else we have seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 We always did the WTM way for elem. school and I really liked it. But the list of kits in the newer version of WTM for logic stage biology just looked really expensive to me, so I changed it up this year. I decided to go w/a bit less hands on, but stick w/the the rotation and chose to put together my own version of biology this year. I did spend $ for books, owl pellets, a microscope, etc. (and I ended up purchasing MP's 5th grade science complete package among other things) and still spent a lot. But I do think I spent less than I would have on all of the kits. I felt I couldn't do the pull it together this year on my own. Plus my dd enrolled in a co-op science class using a regular textbook, but doing lots of hands on there which has saved me a bundle on supplies.. I haven't looked over the earth science/astronomy recs yet. I may go back to WTM next year. Still haven't decided for the future, but it worked for us in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 The kits to add up, but science in middle school and high school is an expensive proposition. I do try very hard to keep my science as hands on as possible for the middle school years. TOPS science is a good resource. I also keep the kits in TWTM in mind when planning my year. I find that no matter what I end up using, I get very similar suggestions as what is in TWTM. For example, I might not have bought the exact Thames and Kosmos chemistry kit, but I did need one and a bunch of other stuff besides. I didn't get the exact rock kit when we did earth science, but I did end up needing one etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukriyya Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Thanks, ladies, for your input. Yes, the kits do look expensive when all added up. I think we could pick and choose the ones that look really interesting and go from there. Like SusieinCA I have yet to find a science program that doesn't take the joy out of the discovery process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linders Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Well, I tried. I bought a very nice microscope and many kits (not necessarily those recommended, but similar, and lots of dead animals to dissect). But in the end, WTM felt a little too unstructured to me, so I got the Prentiss Hall Science Explorer series for Life Science. 5 books. I have DS12 and DS9 read them, and we talk about key points (e.g., key characteristics of the various phyla). They copy a few definitions from each section (copywork helps with their retention), and we do lots of related hands on with the kits. We skip or abbreviate some sections of the books, and we do some of the activities in the books. We explore the woods/pond across from out house all the time. It works for us, and I'm just starting the same thing with Earth Science. I know the value of living books, and we do much of our history that way, but for science? There are only so many ways to present the information and help a child organize it in their head, and I like P-H for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukriyya Posted February 2, 2013 Author Share Posted February 2, 2013 Linders, this is one of the concerns I have. I looked at the Prentice-Hall books on Amazon. It's not too cheap either. And to muddy the waters further Pandia Press is bringing out a level 2 Life Science curric. this month. Still, I am leaning towards doing it TWTM way and am grateful for everyone's experience with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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