bookmomma Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 What are you using for science? My sons will be 7 and 9 next year (roughly grades 2 and 4, respectively), they are very science-minded kids and already know a lot about science. I have failed to get their attention this year with the WTM method, and I'm looking for alternatives. We are secular homeschoolers too. And they love hands-on projects/experiments. Please tell me what you are using, describe some of the topics covered, how do your kids like it, is it expensive/difficult, where do I find it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) Real Science 4 Kids for chemistry, it's going great. She's a Christian, but the materials are secular. I really like her Physics, too, we'll probably buy that later. I have a science and engineering background, and really like they way she teaches the materials. For the rest of science, we check out cool books at the library. We'll start doing more experiments when my 3 year old is at least 4, maybe 5. Edited January 13, 2009 by ElizabethB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn&charles Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) What are you using for science? My sons will be 7 and 9 next year (roughly grades 2 and 4, respectively), they are very science-minded kids and already know a lot about science. I have failed to get their attention this year with the WTM method, and I'm looking for alternatives. We are secular homeschoolers too. And they love hands-on projects/experiments. Please tell me what you are using, describe some of the topics covered, how do your kids like it, is it expensive/difficult, where do I find it? I'm using Otter's science. The topics all have to do with the human body : Week 1: Cells Week 2: DNA and Genes Week 3: DNA and Genes Week 4: Skeleton Week 5: Skeleton Week 6: Muscles Week 7: Muscles Week 8: Brain and Nervous System Week 9: Brain and Nervous System Week 10: Eyes, The Sense of Sight Week 11: Eyes, Senses & Illusions Week 12: Ears, Hearing, More About Senses Week 13: Ears, Hearing, More About Senses Week 14: Heart Week 15: Blood Week 16: Lungs, The Sense of Smell Week 17: Digestion, Teeth, The Sense of Taste Week 18: Digestion and Elimination Week 19: Nutrition Week 20: Nutrition Week 21: Nutrition Week 22: Urinary System Week 23: Endocrine System, Growth and Reproduction Week 24: Skin, Nails, Hair and the Sense of Touch Week 25: Germs Week 26: Germs Week 27: Diseases and Parasites Week 28: Diseases and Parasites Week 29: Fighting Disease Week 30: Fighting Disease Week 31: Drugs and Your Body Week 32: First Aid and Survival Week 33: First Aid and Survival There are plenty of optional projects/experiments, websites, movies, etc. All of the books used are secular. As for the expense - it's not too bad IF you can get a lot of the books from the library or used. All of the books are NOT required and the main spine/materials aren't really that expensive. I ordered a few kits and the rest of the materials were things I usually have at home (vinegar, a chicken bone, etc.). I do use Brainpop.com (an AWESOME addition) and that is the most expensive (optional) element. We've really had fun with it this year and Otter is retaining quite a bit. It's really easy to follow/implement. I designed it to be pretty flexible and so you can easily leave lots of things out or add in something else that you have on hand since the weeks are arranged by topics. Let me know if you have any other questions. :001_smile: Edited January 13, 2009 by jenn&charles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmomma Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 WOW! thank you for your reply...I'm checking it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We're using K12's science program supplemented with RS4K chemistry and some Nutshells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 One thing we are using is Exploration Education Another program you might want to investigate is REAL Science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) I'm currently using Sonlight Science 5, which could be done secularly. I haven't been as "into" Sonlight Science as I have their history/lit (we're on our sixth and last core), but it's done what I wanted in terms of a human body study. Next year we'll be doing Beautiful Feet's History of Science as our one "together" subject, which is also adaptable for secular use. Edited January 13, 2009 by GVA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MgoBlue Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We're using Scott Foresman's for 2nd grade...We only just started, but I think I need the spine. I had the wtm texts and dd ate thru those quite quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmomma Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 One thing we are using is Exploration Education I checked out Expl. Ed. and it looks great, but the K-3 looks too simple, and are things we've already covered. But then the 4-6 (intermediate) looks a little complex for them. They have great mental / thinking capabilities, but are lacking in advanced reading and writing skills. I usually modify our material to what they can do. Are the lessons done only on the computer, or do you teach the lessons? It mentions that experiments take 30-45 mins. How long are the lessons? Thanks, Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 So, last year when my son was 9 we did an odd combo of biology and marine science. (It was originally designed to go along with the AP Bio and Marine Science courses my older one was going to take. She jumped ship and went to college early, but I'd already bought the materials, so we went ahead.) We used the Prentice Hall Science Explorer Earth's Waters book along with two marine science books from Dandy Lion and a bargain table book called Time for Learning: The Human Body. He read from the various books, did some projects from Dandy Lion books and Science Explorer text, did the online quizzes and chapter reviews from Earth's Waters. He also watched some science-related videos and DVDs and took some classes at our local science center. This year (he's 10), we're focusing on ancient sciece to go along with his history studies. He's using The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way as a spine and supplementing with the following books: Archimedes and the Door of Science Galen and the Gateway to Medicine Science in Ancient China Science in Ancient Egypt Science in Ancient Greece Science in Ancient India Science in Ancient Mesopotamia Science in Ancient Rome For hands-on stuff, he's using Ancient Science: 40 Time-Traveling, World-Exploring, History-Making Activities for kids. Our approach is neither expensive nor difficult, but does require some planning ahead to make it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I checked out Expl. Ed. and it looks great, but the K-3 looks too simple, and are things we've already covered. But then the 4-6 (intermediate) looks a little complex for them. They have great mental / thinking capabilities, but are lacking in advanced reading and writing skills. I usually modify our material to what they can do. Are the lessons done only on the computer, or do you teach the lessons? It mentions that experiments take 30-45 mins. How long are the lessons? Thanks, Angie Confession: Dh and ds do EE together. They are not very communicative about it, other than it is "good". Dh says it could use more reading material, so I don't think a lack in the reading/writing areas would be a problem. I think they start the lesson on the computer then work on the hands-on part. I do not believe that there is any "teaching" to be done other than clarification/review of what is read. I would say 30-45min per lesson is accurate (and that includes the experiment). HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 NOEO Physics I. We LOVE it!!! For your sons, I would recommend any of the level II NOEO sets. Sounds like they really like Science. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdogs29906 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I'll add my vote for NOEO as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We use Real Science 4 kids. my daughter saw it at the Homeschool fair and fell in love with houw it was layed out and written so we got it and she LOVES it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) Right now we're using BFSU K-2 (Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding by Dr. Bernard Nebel -- whew!), and by then (age 7-9) we should be using BFSU's new program, 3-5. This should be out by 2011. Together with all this we'll be doing Nature Studies, studying 4-5 topics in depth every year. I'm using Tanglewood's Science Schedule (making my own). I am attracted to Pandia Press' R.E.A.L. Science too, though, and I have it as back-up in my mind :) Edited January 13, 2009 by sagira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmomma Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 We use Real Science 4 kids. my daughter saw it at the Homeschool fair and fell in love with houw it was layed out and written so we got it and she LOVES it. What subject area and level is she using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 What subject area and level is she using? We use the Level 1 Biology and Chemistry plus she wanted the extra books that you can get for roots and so forth. She really likes them. We did not get the Physics one as we wanted to make sure we liked the program and now she is begging for it. My 4 year old listens along and is actually remembering some of the verbiage as well now so we will be keeping it for him also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 We just started using REAL Science (biology 1). I like it b/c 1) it's all planned out for me, 2) it has lots of experiments and 3) it's inexpensive. They now have sample pages on their website, which was a big factor in helping me decide. I also seriously considered NOEO. It looks really good, but it was more $$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmomma Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 We just started using REAL Science (biology 1). I like it b/c 1) it's all planned out for me, 2) it has lots of experiments and 3) it's inexpensive. They now have sample pages on their website, which was a big factor in helping me decide. I also seriously considered NOEO. It looks really good, but it was more $$. Those two look the best to me so far, though I think I'm leaning toward Real Science 4 kids. Glad to hear your thoughts/ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Just to be clear, REAL Science (by Pandia Press) is different from Real Science 4 Kids. I got confused between them when I first started looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmomma Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Just to be clear, REAL Science (by Pandia Press) is different from Real Science 4 Kids. I got confused between them when I first started looking. oops. RS4K is the one I like. Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Pandia press actually recently changed the name of theirs to R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey because of the confusion. This is what we're using now (Life level 1) and we are really enjoying it. I like that every week there is some sort of experment, activity or hands on project. I also like that it's got enough to cover a whole year. I looked at RS4K but I didn't know what I'd use to cover the rest of the year. Each book isn't meant to cover a whole year so that really turned me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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