Real Science-4-kids CM??

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.

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.

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

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!!!!!!

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