REAL Science Odyssey vs. RS4K for astronomy

[IceFairy]

I am looking at them for my rising 1st grader. Ever since we got the solar scope he is super interested in astronomy.

[Down_the_Rabbit_Hole]

I tried to use REAL science Space this past year but was very disappointed. You would need to use lots of library books in order to bring it up to a level of curriculum. I have not used RS4K Astronomy so an not sure about this one. I did use their chemistry II but was unimpressed.

I have used some if Elemental Science and though the space science was okay, but we swtched to Apologia Astronomy midway through. Apologia was better as far as info wise went. I read aloud to dd from it and she did the lapbook from RR.

[Thia]

We used the RSO. As a stand alone, it won't work. It will work if you get the Usborne Internet Linked Science Encyclopedia. My kids enjoyed it. We bought the science kit that went with it and I always had everything I needed.

[plain jane]

I think for a rising first grader RSO would be just fine if you add in library books and a few extra experiments here and there. RSO is quite basic and there isn't a ton of information but my little kids (5-7 yo) really like it. Some of the experiments don't work well (but I have has that happen in a lot of programs) but some have been really great. I've done Life, Chemistry, and we are now doing E&S (still on the earth part).

 

I think it depends where your little one is at. Mine is 6 and at grade level so the program works well. A more advanced student may find it a bit boring. :)

 

I like that it is all laid out and if I felt a week wasn't beefy enough or my child wanted to learn more we got out more library books or did more experiments from several if the books I have for my older kids. At least I had a good starting point that required little prep. I haven't had much issue not having supplies on hand but everyone is different in what they have kicking around the house. :)

 

I have never used RS4K.

[pitterpatter]

I really wanted to like RSO, but I don't. It's an expensive lab supplement at best.

[Joyful_Journey]

We tried RSO this year, but it has proven to be a HUGE disappointment. You are left scrambling to find library books to fit the topic of the lesson, and even the experiments are just so-so. I think for very young children it is fine, but by the time you hit the mid-elementary years it just doesn't provide enough. I prefer RS4K since the reading is included and the experiments are very manageable. While I know it is only intended for 10 weeks of use, I've managed to stretch it out by doing the lesson one week and then the next week supplementing with a library book/science encyclopedia and a Janice VanCleave experiment.