Science Curriculum Help!

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  • June 29, 2017 at 12:06 pm
    Ashley
    Participant

    Hello all.

    I am struggling trying to decide on a science curriculum for the upcoming school year.  I have a ds going into 1st grade who loves science, and I also have a ds going into 5th grade.

    I would love some advice and opinions.

    I have been looking at the following curriculum…

    http://sabbathmoodhomeschool.com/living-science-curriculum/

    (this curriculum would only be for my 5th grader)

    http://www.jennyphillips.com/science/

    (this curriculum would be used for both of my children)

    https://winterpromise.com/science/

    (this curriculum would be for both my children but I would have to purchase two separate grade levels for both of them)

    http://bfbooks.com/Literature-Packs/History-Of-Science-Packs

    (I think I would use this curriculum as a supplementary/extended science course — do a lesson twice a month or something like that and stretch it out over several years type of thing.  But I’m not sure.)

     

    So…I feel a tad lost and not sure what to do.  I like and dislike certain aspects of each of these curriculum and I can’t seem to figure this out.

    I greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts.

    Thanks guys!

    June 29, 2017 at 2:54 pm
    Regan
    Participant

    Ashley, I have been in a similar spot.  We have already decided on our science for this year, but I have been looking ahead to next year when my oldest will be in 5th grade and I am realizing that I will probably be doing something separate with him.  We plan on doing Jack’s Insects.  I will have 4 other kids younger than him but too young to do Jack’s Insects so I we will be doing one of the SCM sciences.  We plan to do Sabbath Mood for science starting in 6th grade or at least that is my thought right now.  I am not familiar with your options except the Sabbath Mood, which I have only looked at online.  I have heard great things about Sabbath Mood science recently.  Hope you get some helpful feedback!

    Regan

    July 5, 2017 at 7:39 am
    greenebalts
    Participant

    Hey Ashley,

    I’ve actually been doing quite a bit of research on science lately and just wrote a post some of my findings…

    http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/2017/07/rethinking-science-aiming-toward.html

    I’m wondering if you’ve ever read any of CM’s volumes? Vol. 1, Home Education deals specifically with children age 9 and under. It’s what my CM Study Group is currently reading. In Part II of that book, Charlotte writes about primary science in the form of nature and out-of-door life…

    http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflections-on-home-education-part-ii.html

    Charlotte also writes specifically about science in Section III of Chapter X in Vol. 6, A Philosophy of Education. If you don’t own the books, you can read free online at Ambleside Online…

    http://amblesideonline.org/CM/toc.html

    With that said, I have used some of the programs you mentioned. I’ve been looking a great deal at Nicole William’s site, Sabbath Mood Homeschool. She has done a ton of research on how CM studied science in her schools. According to the ages you’ve mentioned, it looks like you would have a child in Form I and one in Form II.

    In Form I, Charlotte would have relied on nature study and nature lore for science. Nature study through time out-of-doors daily and nature lore through the use of books like the Eyes and No Eyes series by Buckley and Among the …. People by Clara Dillingham Pierson.

    In Form II, Charlotte would have continued nature study and nature lore from Form I, adding the actual study of science, which as you mentioned could be done through the use of Nicole Williams’ study guides, of which, I’ve been pouring over the samples, but have not used.

    I tried Winter Promise’s science when the kids were younger. My nature loving dd was very disappointed and quickly became sick of the busy work notebooking pages, which were the exact same day after day.

    I used BF’s History of Science last year when our kids were in 5th and 6th grade. We loved it at that time! However, I don’t think it would be great for your 1st grader. I will say, I used an older edition and didn’t have their new guide. I really feel it would better serve that 4th-6th grade range or maybe even 5th to 8th grade. It really is the history of science with much emphasis on biographical information and the study of inventions. Here’s more info on how I used/scheduled the program…

    http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/search?q=beautiful+feet+history+of+science

    Have you considered the science suggestions at Ambleside Online? We also really enjoyed SCM’s Outdoor Secrets set when the kids were young. Thorntom Burgess’ books are wonderful as well. Just some food for thought 🙂

    Blessings,
    Melissa

    July 5, 2017 at 9:15 am
    Ashley
    Participant

    Melissa,

    Thank you so much for all of your advice! I truly appreciate it. You have given me a lot to think about and look into.

    This has been such a huge help to me. Seriously.

    I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions.

     

    July 6, 2017 at 8:38 am
    greenebalts
    Participant

    You’re welcome Ashley, I’m glad it was useful 🙂

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