Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Tagged: Gravitas, Pandia Press, R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey, Real Science 4 Kids

This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by ginagrrg.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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May 29, 2009 at 2:25 pm
mommix3
Member
I purchased the Chemistry set last year but haven’t gotten around to using it, but now that I’m thinking of next years lessons I’m wanting to try and schedule it in. But is it true to CM style? Being new to CM style, I’m still trying to figure out how to choose curriculums. Science is my weakness. I can do all the other things but don’t know the first thing to do when it comes to science. My son is jumping up and down wanting to do science and has been for 2 years now. So it’s time I got going on something. Thanks
Angela
May 30, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Rachel White
Participant
I’m not familiar with the real Science for kids, but I assume it’s a collection of experiments and hands-on activities?
I would use it in correlation with a living science book that can be narrated, then he can do the experiments to reinforce ghis learning.
Yesterday’ Classics has a chemistry living book, I don’t know what age your son is, this one is for 11-15, respectively:
http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/catalog/displaycatalog.php?catalog=nature
Rachel
May 30, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Esby
Member
My son also like experiments and such. I resisted for awhile since I know we’ll eventually get to that sort of science and we don’t need to rush it. But since he was so excited about it, I let him pursue it as a hobby. I don’t consider it part of our schoolwork, if you know what I mean. Separating it in my mind worked for me. He’s happy, I’m happy…and I continue with the CM approach to science and he has his science hobby. Eventually we’ll meet in the future where he’ll be glad for the CM experience I insisted upon, and I’ll be impressed with his lab experience.
May 31, 2009 at 8:07 pm
nerakr
Participant
Wouldn’t including experiments make science “hands-on” and thus more CM friendly?
Karen
May 31, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Esby
Member
Karen wrote: “Wouldn’t including experiments make science “hands-on” and thus more CM friendly?”
I would love to hear what others say. My approach to science has been very focused on nature study, using our nature journals, spending time outdoors. I think of nature studies as laying the foundation for seeing “connections” in life, for sparking the interest in how the world works, etc. Nature study is so great for younger kids because you can use whatever is around you, and it’s easy to let the children make the connections on their own. I don’t feel the need to “teach,” and it all seems very organic and natural to spend time in nature, talking about it, noticing it, drawing it.
I’m not sure the same connections are made with “lab” science *in the younger years.* I think the experiments are fun, but I’m not convinced the kids really get much out of them other than entertainment. For older kids, I think that is different. Older students are ready to make the intellectual and analytical connections from the experiment, but I’m not so sure about the younger ones. Also, I don’t think the typical science experiments train you to observe, a skill I consider valuable.
So…I don’t think there is harm in the hands-on experiments and don’t ban them. I just don’t encourage them. I do encourage and foster nature studies. Also, other science topics come up in our daily lives, and we certainly talk about them as they arise. But what I consider our science curriculum in the elementary and even middle school years is nature study.
We are a sports family and my DH says that sports lays the foundation for physics Cooking lays the foundation for chemisty. Talking care of animals and plants lays the foundation for biology and botany. What I see as the bigger issue is that experiencing “Real Life” in all the many ways we can spend our time gives us experience for the analytical studies that come later when the child has the maturity to understand the abstract concepts.
Again, I would love to hear from others about this!! I learn so much from all of you and I keep an open mind about my opinions.
June 1, 2009 at 3:28 am
crazy4boys
Participant
I’ve used the Real Science 4 Kids pre-level Chemistry and parts of Chemistry 1 and 2. We’ve really enjoyed them. The text is fun, engaging and does not dumb anything down. The experiments were easy and added to the understanding of the text (my kids LOVE experiments). We alternate RS4K with other studies. It takes us about 2 months to get through a RS4K book, then we’ll study trees or animals or the human body or weather or whatever for a few months and then do another RS4K book.
For our family, it was a wonderful fit. The lessons are short and my kids really loved them. We’ll continue to use the series throughout their education.
I do consider it a CM-friendly book. But I also don’t get too hung up on whether it would pass a CM muster. If you like it and it works and your kids enjoy it, then use it, whatever label it falls under.
June 2, 2009 at 12:51 am
mommix3
Member
Well, I have decided to NOT use RS4K this year. We are going with Rainbow Science. I got an AWESOME deal on the complete two year set including labs. It is EXACTLY what I was looking for. It’s recommended on Ambleside so it should fit in well with what we are trying to do with CM. Thanks for your help.
Angela
June 2, 2009 at 6:47 am
Daniellemomof4
Member
Angela,
We are going to be using the Rainbow Science next year also. Where did you get your awesome deal from? Just curious. 😀
Blessings,
Danielle
June 2, 2009 at 11:46 am
csmamma
Participant
Esby,
I just wanted to thank you for sharing how your family approaches science. I’ve been contemplating this one lately and something clicked for me as I was reading your post; It rings truth to my ears! 😉
Grateful for you!
Heather
June 2, 2009 at 1:09 pm
mommix3
Member
Danielle,
I found it on Ebay. $150 buy it now and the lady even had an extra book for my other son that I purchased for $35. She had the book posted on vegsource.com.
Angela
June 2, 2009 at 5:56 pm
crazy4boys
Participant
I’m very interested in that “awesome deal” from Rainbow Science. I really want to add it in to the mix of things but have always held off because of the price. Angela, please tell us more!!!!!!
June 2, 2009 at 9:41 pm
mommix3
Member
Crazy4boys,
It was an Ebay deal.. I wish there were more of them like this on there. I grabbed this one up since I knew it wouldn’t last. The lady was kind enough to let me pay for it in a week. There is another set on there. I don’t know what all is included but last I checked it was only $1 and not too much longer to go. vegsource.com has a board of used curriculum and LOTS of Rainbow Science has been posted lately. Check there.
Angela
June 3, 2009 at 1:28 pm
ginagrrg
Member
I happen to have level 1 of both REAL Science 4 Kids chemistry (Gravitas Press I think) and REAL Science Odyssey chemistry (Pandia Press) and I have to say that the one from Pandia Press is considerably more compatible with CM and it’s emphasis on literature. It is also a more complete program, at least at level 1. Some folks may not like REAL Science Odyssey because it is from a secular company but my daughter got very excited looking through, whereas the REAL Science 4 Kids did not excite her at all. I do have to admit that I do not worry too much about our math and science studies matching up with CM, esp. as the kids get older since my engineer hubby feels it is weak in these two areas (he loves CM for everything else though).
HTH
Gina