Hello ladies! I feel like it has been so long since I have been on the forum. We were pregnant, then miscarried last May, very early (at 6 weeks), right after I attended the TTD homeschool convention in Atlanta! Then we found out we were pregnant again a few months later and then moved from Alabama to South Carolina in November of last year! Since we are due (baby #7) late April, our goal is to finish out the school year, take a bit of a break and start back in July. So, I am trying to plan as much as I can now, knowing it will be easier to do so before the baby arrives 🙂 I will have a 5th grader and then 3rd grader, 1st grader, 5 year old 3 year old and my daughter with autism who is probably on a 1st grade level but is 8 🙂 So, my oldest son has done all the SCM science except Jack’s insects! My other school age kiddos have done the following: Learning about Birds with Thornton Burgess with the Thorton Burgess Bird Book and 106 Days of Creation. We have not done Pond and Stream or Outdoor Secrets with the Companion. I am assuming my oldest son(5th grader) should do Jack’s Insects and I have no doubt he would love it. I am struggling with what to do with the other kids since Outdoor Secrets is only recommended through grade 2, but I will have a 3rd grader… so would Pond and Stream be a better choice? This will be my first year not doing one science with all the kids. I’m pouting only a little about this. Any input from you ladies would be much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and think through this with me.
We have done Outdoor Secrets and really enjoyed it. I am familiar with Pond and Stream. You should be fine using either of these for multiple ages through grade 4, in my opinion. If the older children ask for more, they could read a related science book on their own. My children read CLP Nature Reader book series, too. I think that would go along nicely with these SCM nature studies, about once a week. Another option you could add is the Dover coloring books on related nature topics.
I agree with Wings2Fly. I think your 3rd grader will be just fine with Outdoor Secrets. There are so many wonderful living science and nature books on various levels that go along with the studies in OS, you can find something for all your littles.
Thanks for your feedback ladies! This is so helpful and I am looking forward to doing Outdoor Secrets! Do any of you have the audio book? I am thinking with a new baby, that be nice for us to sit and listen to when I am feeding the baby. 🙂 I may also get the printed book as well, but I like the idea of having the audio option.
We have both. We listened in the van. But the book has nice illustrations and is not very thick or heavy. You could hold it and read aloud while nursing the baby. Either one will work.