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

This topic has 6 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by Jodie Apple.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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June 11, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Jodie Apple
Participant
Wondering if anyone has used this and what you think of it.
Thanks!
July 9, 2010 at 7:03 am
MelanieC.
Member
Hi MJ!
My son likes astronomy and I ordered this book for us to use. It is an awesome book, but it is geared towards Highschool. So if you have highschool ages I suggest it. It is very informative and Biblical in its views. I thought I could break it down, but decided to wait until my children were older to pursue this one. So I went with Apologia’s Exploring Creation With Astronomy for now. I like the Living book approach it has as well. Hope this helps! MelanieC.
July 9, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Jodie Apple
Participant
Thanks Melanie. That is helpful. I’m praying about and seeking what to do for science this year with our 9 and 12 year olds. So, I guess this may be too much for them right now. Confession: I think I was being a bit selfish in pursuit of this — studying astronomy through the eyes of people who used it out of necessity in Bible times sounds very interesting to me–I was wanting them to get on board with what I want to learn instead of noticing what their interests are at this time. So, I’m going to be more attentive to what seems to interest them and go from there.
Thanks again!
mj
July 10, 2010 at 2:41 am
MelanieC.
Member
mj-
Don’t feel bad about being intrigued by astronomy and wanting to expose your children to it. The wisemen found Jesus through their study of the stars and scriptures. I used to get butterflies in my stomach as a little girl when the teacher announced we were going on a field trip to the planetarium. It is a blessing that he became interested. My husband found a really wonderful telescope for a gift for my son and the excitement from what we saw blessed my heart. They are definitely not too old to start an interest, just go outside and see if you can find some constellations together at night. That’s how it started for us. We wrote in our nature journals what we found. I really feel the LORD’s power and glory when I study the heavens. May you and yours be blessed through Messiah on your journey of homeschooling! MelanieC.
July 10, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Jodie Apple
Participant
Good ideas, thanks. We’ve observed the night sky together some, but after a minute or two the kids are on to something else! I guess repeated exposure in small doses might spark an interest at some point. Really, that’s how nature study has become part of our “school”. I’ve done it a lot more than they have, but by watching me and seeing my excitement for it they in turn have found an interest without me constantly prodding them (which I did in the beginning….). Actually, our oldest (in college now) said she would love to learn about the constellations; so maybe she and I will explore this together this year and the others may catch our enthusiasm.
I’ve been wanting to get a telescope, but after some research I’ve been led to believe that a good set of binoculars may be a better option. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Thanks again for the encouragement!
July 11, 2010 at 1:52 am
MelanieC.
Member
mj-
About binoculars conpared to telescopes, there is not a big difference in really small telescopes and binoculars… we have good binoculars we have a small telescope, and a large one. When you get into the larger it is remarkable the things you can see. We have seen Jupiter and three of its moons. We have been able to view the Moon and see some amazing crators and surface texture. So for beginning, I think the naked eye and binoculars would be perfect, and if the interest turns into a hobby pursue the larger things. Most amateur astronomers I’ve spoken to suggest the same. The planetarium is another idea, if you have one near you, because the guide helps you find stuff to look for when you get outside. You can google to find some online websites for astronomy that are wonderful. I can’t think of the names right away. Anyway, I hope this helps, if you have any other questions just ask. I’ll answer all I know. Blessings, MelanieC.
July 11, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Jodie Apple
Participant
Thanks Melanie. That is the route I was leaning toward taking. You’ve been so helpful.