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stumped about science for my daughter, age 11

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Started 11 months ago by Rachel
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Rachel
Member

I really am stumped about science for my dd. Other than the topic of Biology, she could care-less about science. She likes reading living books and she does, but in preparation for high school science, I think she needs more and sometimes you just have to do what you don't want to do.

Having said that, I want her to retain as much as possible of this material that she's not all that interested in.

My son (11 1/2) reads through the Apologia books and up till now (he's on the Botany), he hasn't required the notebook; however, Botany is so full and it's not as interesting to him, I think I'll get that for him to document. But I'm concerned about him.

My dd: I've had her do the Astronomy one w/the notebook this year. She's done it, but she says she gets tired of reading it and it's not because she's a poor reader-quite the contrary.

So, I better stop rambling; I don't know if I should switch her to Real Science 4 Kids after she finishes Astronomy or wait till she finishes the Astronomy one and have her look through the Zoology notebooks (the topic she's most interested in) before making that decision. My careful nature instinct regarding purchasing and switching around (I rarely switch) tells me to:

-have her finish the Astronomy book/notebook then have her preview the Zoology notebooking journals at a local HS'ling store before deciding to switch.
Additionally, if I don't have her switch, slow her down in her reading to smaller chunks.

If I decide to switch, is RS4Ks the right one? I need a science course that is independent for her, not teacher intensive.

So any opinions and/or advice is welcome. I'm sort-of "thinking out loud" and looking for either confirmation to stay w/Apologia since she is about to enter into a topic that she's actually interested in or switch (which isn't as economical either-another deterant for me); or other ideas.

If this made no sense (because it's a reflection of my thinking),let me know that, too!
Thanks

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
missceegee
Member

Rachel, I'll share my thinking and phase it will help somehow.

My dd is also 11. She's used Apologia's Astonomy & Botany. This year (5th) we needed a change. She used Fabre's The Storybook of Science and an accompanying blank journal. She read 2-3 chapters per week and made written and drawn entries in the journal. She's also read a lot of living books on her own. It's been a very enjoyable and productive year.

She likes reading about science and has asked for something with experiments for next year. She is not overly science-y though. I bought RS4K and it looks ok. I like how some topics are explained, but I'm not thrilled with the overall way it reads. I did like that there was a kit with all experiment materials included. I also bought an online program by Aurora Lipper. I met aurora at a convention and she was great. She really got kids excited about science. However, I cannot figure out how to use the program rough the website. I find it confusing to navigate. If I could figure it out, I'd use it.

I am thinking she needs a better grounding overall before we move to the advanced apologia texts. I just ordered the God's Design chemistry & ecology to take a looksee. I uses we're both in the same boat.

Christie

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
Rachel
Member

Hey Christie,

Yes, I guess we are in the same boat. I agree about the lay out of RS4K; it seems...cartoonish. She's currently reading The Storybook of Science, actually. I have her starting Christian LIb. Reader 4 and then 5 this year and next, among some others that I haven't nailed down yet. She's already read the and/or listened to the Buckley books and The Fairyland of Science. SHe hasn't read the Seton books, yet or other books of Fabre's from Yesterday's Classics. I also have one of the Lyrical Life Science books (Vol. 1 ) and plan on getting the others, since she's auditory.

I know she's learned fromt hese wonderful books she's read, I'm just concerned that she's not learning the "language" of science; you know, the terminology that's going to come along in the Apologia General Science book and beyond.

She's so kinesthetic, but she's not into experiments. She is experiential. She loves it when her brother does experiments-I think she's just not interested in the mental exercise that doing them requires? You know what I mean? She wants to observe only and sketch what she she's sees, but she doesn't care for the academic science, for lack of a better description.

BTW, my son informed me he doesn't want the pre-made notebook; he'll make his own. Tonight he was "classifying" his crackers, per the chapter on classification from Botany. Well, I guess she is understanding it! LOL!HOwever, she wouldn't do that; she'll dig for earthworms, find crickets, watch chickens for long periods of time, find egg cases, etc w/her brother (except he won't touch earthworms), but she's not interested in the "disciplines" of science.

Perhaps she'd like and glean much from Donald Silver's One Small Square Books? Hmm...

I've tried the G-d's Design series and it bored us all silly.

I also need to get her to read the science books from MAster Books to get the Creation science if I am not going to use Apologia w/her. MAybe I should use the study guides and that would help? Just thinking out loud. I have several of them already-my son red them for fun.

I like your idea of having her write down notes from her reading.

I don't know if you've seen these, I know how you and I are fond of our book lists, so I'll give you some more!

Fabre's Book of Insects:http://www.amazon.com/Fabres-Book-Insects-Henri-Fabre/dp/0486401529/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LH0B69EZY7MS&colid=3NJ9UKGP42ID8

The Wonder Book of Plant Life: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wonder-Book-Plant-Life/dp/1587760037/ref=pd_sim_b_12

The INsect World of Jean H. Fabre: http://www.amazon.com/The-Insect-World-Henri-Fabre/dp/0807085138/ref=pd_sim_b_11

The Story of Birds and Beasts by Fabre from Queen HOmeschool

The Burgess FLower Book for Children: http://www.amazon.com/The-Burgess-Flower-Book-Children/dp/1432572830/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9OM738DYKHYF&colid=3NJ9UKGP42ID8

The Dover Children's science books:

   Life in a Bucket of Soil-http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-Dover-Childrens-Science-Books/dp/0486410579/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I18OOW7WVYH5MH&colid=2CR3CA1YYK44H

   The Code of Life- http://www.amazon.com/Code-Dover-Childrens-Science-Books/dp/0486439445/ref=pd_sim_b_21

   A World in a Drop of Water - http://www.amazon.com/World-Drop-Water-Exploring-Microscope/dp/0486403815/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2

   Nature's Champioins: The BIggest, the Fastest, the Best-http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Champions-Biggest-Fastest-Childrens/dp/0486428885/ref=sr_1_21?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338859206&sr=1-21

Life in a Tidal Pool :http://www.amazon.com/Life-Tidal-Pool-Virginia-Silverstein/dp/0486445925/ref=sr_1_26?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338859031&sr=1-26

Dan Green books

Secrets of the Universe series by Paul Fleisher (from AO list Yr. 6)

Science Concepts Second series by Virginia Silverstein

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
Rachel
Member

I'd like to add that in the Lyrical Science texts and audios, there is a lot of sciencey language, so I'm definitely going to have her go through those texts w/the CD's.

What do you think of the Discovering NAture Series from Queen Homeschool? I don't think they are high school worthy, byt perhaps at our dd's ages?http://www.queenhomeschool.com/bookpage/bookframe.html

Also, Animal Life in Field and Garden by Fabre, too; from Queens HS

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
eawerner
Member

I don't have a child that age yet (just my first year) but I'm wondering if she really *has* to do formal science before 7th grade. If she gets more out of living books, she may be more prepared for upper level science courses by using them as opposed to a text book type study. One of the great things about HSing is that you can go with a child's bent, not constantly try to change it. Yes, she will eventually have to do some science lab courses. But she really doesn't have to right now.
Have you seen the Beautiful Feet History of Science Guide?
http://bfbooks.com/History-of-Science-Study-Guide

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
missceegee
Member

I'm checking the links, ladies. Thanks! I forgot about Lyrical Science - definitely want that for dd and the little ones will like it, too.

My apologies for all of the earlier typos. The iPad doesn't like my typing.

I meant to mention Steve Spangler Science for experiment fun. We've used a good bit from SS and loved it.

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
pjssully
Member

hi, i just wanted to say that i also have the auroa lipper program-i am doing the escience for the summer camp program and will start a few experiements tomorrow. Her website is very confusing and took me a long time to figure it out-and even to figure out where to sign in!!LOL. I did get a chance to look at the regular program since you get this free for the summer as well. It looks really good-lesson plans and such laid out well. If you have questions about the website, i might be able to help those that have questions-can't promise but .....just thought i would chime in!

pjean

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
Fiveflymom
Member

My dd enjoyed the John Tiner book "Exploring the World of Biology" at that age. He has other books as well.

http://www.christianbook.com/exploring-world-biology-mushrooms-complex-forms/john-tiner/9780890515525/pd/515525

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
nebby
Member

We have used Real Science 4 Kids. It's appearance is cartoonish but I think the books are enjoyable for kids to read and understandable. She would not be able to do the experiments without you though. Real Science is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Apologia in terms of length though. Each volume is 10 not too long chapters. I think it gives a pretty good background for kids this age but you should be aware that it is brief. We have also used some of the living books recommended like the Storybook of Science. Maybe a combination of the two?

Nebby
http://www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
amandajhilburn
Member

These are some awesome ideas. I'm glad I read this thread eventhough I thought I had science covered for the fall! ;) I knew we were going to need some more living book ideas and I hit the jackpot with this thread :)

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
Rachel
Member

Well, I officially removed the Apologia Astronomy book and Journal from my SCM Organizer today. Last night, I lay there thinking and praying; then this morning I got up and started looking and gathered a ton of books for her to read, starting w/Astronomy first. My son had gone through several over these 3 years:both of the H.G. Rey books, Destination Moon and The AStronomy book by John Morris. Also, I already had the Christian LIb. readers 4 and 5 slated for her, plus It Couldn't Just Happen after she finishes The Storybook of Science.

Others I found:

Taking Back AStronomy: The Heavens Declare Creation by JAson LIsle

Nightwatch - Terence Dickenson

Exploring the Sky by Day - T. Dickenson

Along Came Galileo

The Sciences by Edward Holden

I also think I'm going to try the John Tiner's Exploring... books, too at some point, probably next year, after the Lyrical Life Science and just wait to start her in General Science till her 8th gr. year; and we'll probably use it over a 1 1/2 yr. to two-year schedule. I don't know if it will be necessary and if so, which Physics she'll take come her senior year. I'd already decided to try using Signs and Seasons w/the both of them in the next few years for high school credit.

BTW, here's the page that contains all of Jim Arnosky's books (I'd printed it out before, but need to get back to checking them out at the library):http://www.jimarnosky.com/bookindex.html I found several more for the other sciences: biology next (including the human body), geology, Chemistry and physics prior to her 8th gr. year. Sheloves the Burgess books so we'll continue with those, too.

Now, it's just a matter of checking the library, scheduling them and finally getting that Kindle to download the ones online!

I feel much better...Thanks all!

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
yoliemiller
Member

Wow, Lyrical Science is really neat. I've never seen that before. Thanks for sharing, Ladies!!

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
DawnD
Member

My 11 yo daughter says she "hates science" too. What is it with 11 yo girls and hating things? Anyway, next year I am planning to do Queen's Discovering Nature Series which she declares "looks fun." We will also read science type books - like The Storybook of Science and others. I love science and I don't want her to hate it.

.......now if I could only figure out a way to make her not "hate" math??????????

Rachel, thanks for posting that great list with links!

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
DawnD
Member

What is the difference between "Fabre's Book of Insects" and "The Insect World of Jean H. Fabre" ?

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post
Rachel
Member

Thankfully my dd has never said she hates anything regarding school; that would be discouraging.

Good question about the Fabre books. I looked at the samples of both and the Fabre's Book of Insects seems less "technical" and more age appropriate for my dd. The other one, The Insect World was more wordy, general and more technical- at least it seemed to me.

I would get the Book of Insects for her.

Posted 11 months ago # Report Post

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