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Need Thoughts on what to use for Science!!!!!
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We are in our 3rd year, dd8. I am wanting suggestions for Science, be it programs, kits, DVDs, etc. In the past I have done outdoor secrets and lots of living books about different topics in nature. I currently am using All Nature Sings by Queens homeschool. It will do, but we have done so much nature study that I would like something next year that has a lot of hands on experiments. I purchased 106 Days of Creation thinking it might be what I was looking for. After going through the list of resources needed and trying to hunt some of them down, I’m not so sure anymore. Our library will not have all of these books. Hunting down and purchasing some of the rare or out of print books will probably be costly. I also want a science that will point us back to our creator. Does something like this exists??? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
We supplement nature study with God’s Design for Science with my two oldest, who are 9 and turning 7 in February. The Life series (Animals, Plants, Body) is broken into sections for “Beginners” and older students. It 100% points back to our Creator and it includes some interesting articles that my girls find fascinating (such as, about Lucy or why humans don’t evolve from apes). There are little blue activity boxes after each chapter with fun hands-on learning opporutnities that can be done simply and rather quickly, with things you’ll likely have around your house. We keep a sciecne notebook with it and the girls narrate each chapter, then my older writes a few intersting tidbits from her narration into her notebook and they both illustrate/sketch the mammals we learned about (using Draw 50 Animals or DWN). The lessons are short and sweet and the content is excellent. It’s also very easy to pair with nature study; meaning that the lessons do not take much time at all, which allows for dedicated naure study, as well (sometimes of mammals to extend the science lesson, or plants, etc.).
Well, we are doing Pandia Press (http://www.pandiapress.com/?page_id=50) this year and liking it a lot. It has a lot of hands-on. They have a good size sample of each book free to download (3 weeks I think) which includes the suggested schedule and list of all supplies needed week by week…so I though it gave me a very good feel for the program before I ordered. Easrth science, life science and chemistry (we’re doing chemistry b/c that’s what the big kids are doing). There are lists of other books (presumably living 🙂 but I haven’t proved that yet that you can get from the library and read if desired, but they are not necessary; there are websites suggested as well. I haven’t done either of those yet…we’re not too far into it at this point. However, there is no reference to a creator or otherwise…so that is left to you to pull in. Apologia’s series for younger kids does a great job of that…but I’m not sure the activities are all that great…maybe someone else will speak to that.
We are finishing up 106 Days and I will say that I ended up really enjoying Considering God’s Creation alongside it. I ended up reading my children portions of the teacher’s manual that 106 days didn’t necessarily tell me to read. It is more of a textbook except it has lots of hands on activities.
Not sure of the answer for your search for a curriculum that has lots of hands on science experiments. I am trying to figure out next year’s Science plan also.
Ah yes, I didn’t look at the OP’s username. I have a suggestion, but unfortunately for you guys, it can not be used in the United States at this time.
I just posted on another thread about A Reason for Science. We are considering using that alongside 106 Days, but it would be an added expense for you. It isn’t especially CM, but does have the kit for experiments, is Creationist, and easy to understand and follow.
Have you checked Amazon for the resources for 106 Days? I am about to order them myself, and I think it is less than $100 for all the books they recommend. I know that is a big expense, but if you look at it alongside other science programs it is about par for the course.
That said, there are only a couple of books there that would be irreplaceable – pretty sure you could find other living books on similar subjects at your local library. There is usually no ‘magic’ to a certain book – as long as it is a living book! For example, “A Water Snake’s Year”…there are over 300 children’s books on that topic that come up on Amazon. I’ll bet your library would have at least 5-6, and one that would be a good fit for you.
Blessings!
Thanks for the responses. We actually live inTexas now. Can’t figure out how to change my user name. We moved here 6 months ago. We are in a more rural area now than when we were in Nj. I am not so much concerned about cost right now as much as I am about having to hunt down materials and supplies. Obviously, I also don’t want to spend a fortune. In 106 days how important are the videos and audios? Is it primarily nature study? I do want to get into some new topics this year. Is it possible to do 2 days a week and complete in a timely manner?
Has anyone used Noeo? Looks nice to have everything you need already there. Trying to decide between Noeo and 106 days.
Just looked at the Noeo online. We have used many of those books and resources, and they are really good. The books chosen are going to be a little more ‘dry’ than what 106 days offers, but not as bad as Apologia. And I like the kit that goes along with it for experiments!
IMHO, the videos and audios for 106 days are totally optional. Have you looked at the sample online, or do you already own the 106 days book? I think she mentions that you can sub out resources and that the videos are not required. I definitely am not going to invest $200 in the Moody science videos this year!
I think if you are going to do a traditional science curriculum – go with Noeo. It looks the most interesting and complete to me. But if you want to focus on Nature Study, 106 days is very complete.
We are planning on 106 Days with all the kids, and A Reason for Science (in addition) for the older ones. But, my kids LOVE science (thanks to the CM method, I believe) so I am willing to invest the time and effort in two programs.
We used 106 Days as a guide to introduce all kinds of topics. We did get many of the videos and most of the books, and while they are (of course) excellent, they are all the kinds of things that you can substitute with books from your library. In fact, I added a lot of other things into the different areas covered in 106 Days – more indepth studies or more field trips, or youtube videos on the subject. My favorite thing about 106 was how it was organized and gave a great way to move through the material – but it is simple enough that I can add whatever I want (or have) to make it more interest driven for my kids too. I have to say that I never used it as a Nature Study guide – never thought about it, even though it does give suggestions for nature study ideas. 😉
I was able to get Moody DVDs for pretty reasonable from Library and Educational Services http://www.libraryanded.com and I think they recently sent out an email with those on sale. You could get on their mailing list and wait for a sale.
Just wanted to mention that we love Noeo Science. I’m doing the Bio II with my 11YO and 7YO. It has quite a few experiments and my kids really like the internet links where they can go to see videos of the topic we are studying.
Doing Physics II w/Noeo, we like it too for the most part. A couple of subjects I had to skim tru because it was over their head (and mine too actually!!). We also really like the internet links. It is not biblical based though if that is a main thing for you. My kids do know very well that God created it all though!!
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