Choosing between conversational science courses and living books?

Peronally, my vote is to stick with the living books + nature study with children this young. I used to feel like we needed more ‘structure’ too, but the further we go with CM methods, the more I am finding myself able to let go of it.

IMO, the point of “science” in elementary school grades is not to cover every possible topic in detail, but to develop interest, wonder, awe, and observation skills. It’s possible you may have “gaps”, but any child who is interested and able to observe keenly will be able to pick these things up in later science studies. I think nature study and living books accomplishes this better than even a “conversational” textbook would. (Admittedly, I haven’t used the Apologia books, but I have looked at them and I didn’t particularly care for them. I would possibly consider them for a 5th or 6th grader with a keen interest in getting into a detail with a particular topic…but that’s just me. I know some people love them.) And living books doesn’t necessarily mean ‘light and easy’. If you take a look at the science and natural history selections that AO uses for Years 4-6, I think you’ll see what I mean.

My kids are are still young, so we haven’t yet transitioned from living books to a more traditional middle/high school science course, but when I was teaching 6th grade, I was part of a panel evaluating how the elementary science curriculum was preparing the students to tackle secondary science and actually had the chair of the HS science department tell me that he thought the science textbook we were using (a popular public school science option at that time) was way too much – it was covering the topics that he covered at the high school level. He too would have much prefered recieving students into his HS program who were interested and keen and had some simple skills like observing and measuring, rather than having been exposed to advanced topics and vocabulary too soon and getting turned off to science (which was what was happening).

HTH some,

Jen

Good living science books and nature study are enough for the elementary years, especially the younger grades. I did not use any textbooks for science for 1st through 6th grade, but made sure we covered a variety of science topics with good living books. My kids were well prepared for using a more textbook approach (we used Apologia) for middle school and high school.

I have used both methods, and I have to say that I would recommend a great living books and nature study education over the Apologia books. My kids have ‘endured’ the Apologia books, but they truly love science and nature b/c of the CM methods that we used. We have always approached nature and creation as an awe-inspiring miracle – as it is!

My older kids are in 5th and 6th grades and are transitioning to more ‘formal’ science studies now. But I have to point out that we have been in 3 different co-op style science classes and thier teachers have all tracked me down to tell me how passionate and knowledgable my kids are about science. I am not boasting here – b/c I have done very little to TEACH science!

They always assume that I must have them on some great science curriculum, but it has honestly just been letting them go with their own interest and desire to understand God’s world, and giving them plenty of living ideas (books, nature walks, videos) to feed on.

Get them out in nature and then get them in touch with great ideas (living books). It is the organic way of growing children who love all subjects, including science!

Stick with living books, nature study, and outdoor play.  Hold off on Apologia, even the Young Explorer series.  We’ve attempted them several times between K-3rd and it’s just too much.  I think they’re ok if you have younger ones following along with older kids, but I definitely wouldn’t start them if my first was younger.  We live and learn 🙂

Blessings,

Melissa

http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/