Storybook of Science/4th grade Science

My dd12 did Storybook of Science and a Science journal last year for 5th grade. She added in nature study and a few other books of her choosing, but yes, it was enough for us. 

Christie

I bought it once when dd12 was 1st or 2nd, I think. If I remember correctly, it used Usborne type of books which we don’t care for. I sold it and moved on. DD12 did Apologia Astronomy and Botany, but we can’t say we love those either. We have greatly preferred the living books approach. That said, we’re toying with what to do next year in 7th. We could do Apologia General or Physical or perhaps Ellen McHenry’s Chemistry books or Tiner’s books or …

Decisions. ugh.

Christie

I am using Science Lab this year for my Year 3 8yo dd who loves science.  She enjoys the experiments, but she doesn’t understand the science lingo – even though it’s somewhat explained, but I don’t think it does a good enough job for this age level, and I’m pretty sure my 9yo Year 4 student wouldn’t get it either, but she’s not science-minded.  Some of the experiments just didn’t go well (especially the rock candy one we tried yesterday – ugh, don’t even get me started on that one ), and for a couple I have had a hard time finding the things to do them (like a fisherman’s scale – I still do not know what that is, nor do the several fishermen in my life have one, not even at the cabin).  I do not plan to use it again, and honestly, I’m not sure we’ll even finish the book, I am that disheartened after the rock candy experiment.  It’s highly recommended on AO, but not required, but truly, I just don’t know why…

My Year 4 dd is using Storybook this year.  She doesn’t enjoy it at all.  But she grudgingly does it.  The chapters are only 2 – 2 1/2 pages long, so very, very short.  But some of the stuff she either already knew or just didn’t care about, or even didn’t understand.  Like I said, though, she’s not science-minded.  Next year my science-bent dd will be using it, so we’ll see how she likes it.  If she doesn’t either…  well, I have a feeling I won’t use it with my next dd because she is even less science-minded than the first.  I don’t have my 9yo do experiments of any kind along side Storybook.  She just wouldn’t care enough to do them.  In spite of that, she is getting plenty of science for her particular needs through nature study and Storybook.  My 8yo, too, is getting plenty through nature study, some Burgess storybooks and the 3rd grade Christian Liberty Nature Reader, and what little experiments we can find to do from Science Lab.  She wants to do something in science someday, so we do a little extra for it.  I do not know what to do about Science experiments for Year 4 next year.  Will be thinking about that for the next week or so as I am planning for next year.

Hope some of this helps.  I feel like it was very long-winded. 

Just one more idea, since you mantioned Galen and the Gateway to Medicine.  Beautiful Feet has The History of Science, which we are doing this year.  It contains several living books that teach about scientists and their discoveries.  Some books are more historyical while others have awesome pictures the kids love to puruse.  My daughter is 9 and we aren’t using the guide as much as we are reading the books, discussing them and then she is keeping a science journal of copywork and pictures of the various inventions, discoveries and concepts.  The package also comes with a small experiment pamphlet.  Depending on how mature your child is, the guides are very nice and inexpensive.  I do refer to them and am pleased I  bought them. 

The other nice thing is that you can go at your own pace and just pick books based on the time period your studying in history or your child’s interest.  You do not need to use the books in a particular order.

One word of warning.  We started with Archimedes and found the first 5 or so chapters to be good, but when it started to get into his calculations it went way over our heads.  I believe Archemedies is best for kids in middle school unless they are great at math and science.  If I had it to do over again, I would not have started with this book.

HTH

My son (10) is loving Jack’s Insects, but he loves characters, insects, nature, etc.  Anything with dialogue and creatures that have personalities is right up his alley.  And the notebooking pages ask for him to do some research, etc. and there are other books suggested to use throughout the study.  He loves what I have purchased so far.  He is finishing up Swimming Creatures (which he is just reading now, not notebooking) and will tag along w/ the his br. on the unit studies I do w/ him.  Science is one of those areas that I bore esily with, can you tell??  I don’t really like to study the same thing all year, and it seems as if my dc feel the same way.  So I don’t mind having them take a community class/co-op class/have a text/do a unit study/read a living book, all in the same year.  I don’t do that w/ other subjects but science I guess I do.

I really wanted my dc to read living books/do experiments/journal (notebook) for science at home, then add in classes here and there, and I think I’m finally getting there.  My oldest is probabaly too old to just do living books (plus, he likes the texts) but I did want to add in a living book for him, so I did.  Oh, and, I don’t jump around w/ my oldest anymore.  He’s in one text and one living book and can add in what he chooses when he wants. 

HTH