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By Gigi
Personal Note: Obviously this is not a complete list & it doesn’t take Unschooling into account. The pros and cons listed are my own opinion or those that I have read or heard about. A “C” next to a topic means it is Christian Based. I have not listed Curriculum providers that do not provide a separate Science program (i.e. Calvert) & I have not updated prices.
Methods:
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason emphasized nature study. This approach includes daily
nature walks, nature journals, and living books. Topics are introduced
in short time segments. Some books written for this method include are
For the Children’s Sake and A Charlotte Mason Education.
Pros: What do children enjoy more than being outside? This is a natural extension for their curiosity and a way to really enjoy science.
Cons: Some children want to move beyond nature and enjoy skipping around topics.
Classical
This method follows a four year cycle. Year one is biology, year
two is earth science, year three chemistry, and year four physics. This
may vary depending one what source. Some providers would be The Well-Trained
Minds recommendations or Living Learning Books, Veritas Press.
Pros: Each year the subject is repeated the deeper in depth the topic is covered. Something passed by in one cycle can be picked up in another. This program can be used with multiple ages.
Cons: Many children and parents do not enjoy spending an entire year studying biology or chemistry. They prefer to spend a shorter amount of time on topics and cover more. Also if a child enjoys a particular topic it may not fall into that year.
Unit Studies/Literature
With this method you tie in science to what topic you are studying. Options
include KONOS, Five in a Row, Online unit studies, William and Mary.
Pros: Unit studies are known for helping children see how all subjects are connected. They are also easily adapted to multiple ages.
Cons: It takes planning to pull in “science” to all units. If a child enjoys science he may want to study it more in depth and at regular intervals. It also takes careful planning to make sure a variety of topics is covered.
Scope & Sequence
This format
is the mostly widely used. You choose a program or an outline to follow
and you teach what is recommended per year. In this method the lesson/material
is provided, just the lesson, or an outline. Examples would be Core Knowledge,
World Book, What to Teach & When, Sonlight, K-12, and Singapore Science
Pros: The schedule is laid out for you and any “holes” are easily noticed. Many children enjoy the change of pace every few weeks and it is very easy to add a topic your child is interested in.
Cons: A child’s interest might last more than 6 weeks or the “planned” time. Some children prefer to have science flow together and may enjoy spending an entire year on one field of science. If you have multiple children on different “schedules” it can become very time consuming for the parent.
Unschooling
I will leave this up to those who are using this method.
Review of Sources:
The
Well Trained Mind:
Follows the four year cycle and offers book suggestions to supplement.
Price varies per year. Each time the cycle is repeated new skills are
focused on. Suggestions are made for each cycle so they can be used with
multiple ages.
Living
Learning Books:
Follows the outline from the TWTM, it includes daily lesson plans, list
of resources, checklists, and offers bundled resources. I have used this
program and it is very homeschooler friendly and I feel worth every penny.
I found it a little less intense the REAL science ($30.00 per year plus
books)
Konos
(C):
This site has two options. You can purchase unit study lessons or buy
kits. The units are based on character development and rolls science into
it. This unit can be used with multiple ages.
William
& Mary:
A year long unit study geared towards the gifted student. It only includes
the lesson outline not supplies. ($35.00 per unit)
Five
in a Row:
This series goes through Junior high. It is literature based. Science
topics are covered one day per week. Very family friendly and can be used
with multiple ages. On line support is available.
Beautiful
Feet Books (C):
This course is a year long study of science and its history. A literature
based program with books suggestions and questions.
Online Unit Studies: varies
Nebels:
This book is an outline of science threads. It follows three science threads
per year that are built upon. Very family friendly and each topic flows
into the next. He personally answers any questions one might have ($30.00
for book plus basic supplies)
Core Knowledge/World
Book/What to Teach When:
www.coreknowledge.com
www.worldbook.com
www.ckcolorado.org/units.asp
(actual lesson plans w/ handouts & activity sheets)
These programs give you an outline. It often follows the public school. Core Knowledge builds on topics each year and there are on-line lesson plans and a book entitled “Books to Build On” with recommended books per topic. I personally have followed this system and the books recommended and lesson plans are very helpful no matter what science curriculum you may choose.
Sonlight
(C):
A full curriculum with daily lessons plans. They offer a 4 or 5 day program.
Price varies but averages around $125.00 including supplies. Online support
is available.
Abeka (C):
K-12:
It is a full curriculum which follows the Core Knowledge sequence and
includes some supplies. It is computer based. ($295 per year)
Switched on Schoolhouse (C)
Apologia (C)
Rod & Staff (C)
Rainbow Science (C)
Singapore
Science:
An inexpensive program that is a workbook based with recommended activities.
($30.00 per semester) I have not heard the good reviews on this. It seems
like it jumps around a lot.
Real
Science for Kids
Is developing 3 levels for the Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Everything
is provided. It covers all three subjects in one year so if you want to
expand you must get your own resources. Hunter did enjoy reading through
the textbook. $40-50 per topic.
R.E.A.L
Science:
I have used this program and really enjoy it. It follows the 4 year cycle
but is still being developed. The teachers book has all of the information
but if you don’t want to pull it apart to get at the student pages
they are sold separately. It gives the reading and then 2-3 activities
or experiments to support the reading. I have found it very easy to use
and parent friendly.
Neo
Science:
Review from the Denim Jumper “it has absolutely no Christian content
in the curriculum or assigned reading. The 1st page of the instructor's
guide has a biblical quote and the next three pages have references to
God and creation and the same biblical quote again. These pages are directed
to the parent and are not read by the child. These four pages can be removed
without affecting the curriculum at all. The rest of the instructor's
guide contains reproducible labs sheets and weekly lesson plans. All of
the assigned reading is from the extra books and the experiments are from
the Young Scientist Kits. The readings and experiments are very simple
and in my opinion, just the right amount of work for this age range.
My World Science:
New program. Each unit has 3 separate subjects covered. A full description
can be found in the Rainbow Resource Catalog. I have only heard positive
reviews. It has a teachers manual that gives a lot of background information.
$30.00 per unit
Prentice Hall Science
Explorer
I am researching this one so cannot give a description at this time. It
is a textbook used in schools.
E=MC2:
Follows 4 year cycle however only 1 year is complete. I have an email
out to the publisher for more information.
Great
Science Adventures:
More hands on crafty way to do science. It includes lapbooks. $22.00 per
unit
Home
Science Adventures:
Unit study approach written by two Science teachers. $35.00 per unit or
$65.00 for three.
Core
Science from Cambridge:
Someone offered this on a website as a possible secular source.
Kits & Other Sources:
Science in a Nutshell: Complete kits can be used over months. Comes w/ student journals and I have used a few and really like them. We have also used them in a co-op setting. ($30.00)
LHS
GEMS:
These have been used at co-op with great success. One science topic is
covered under a “theme” related unit.
Wild Goose:
Complete kits ($10-$15)
Janice Van Cleave
Books:
Hands on activities using household items written for different ages and
covering different topics.
Usborne Science Encyclopedia
or DK Science Encyclopedia:
Good overview ($30)
ScienceWorks- w
Workbooks that are filled with activities and experiements ($10)
Usborne Science Books:
Price and grade varies but can be checked out at library to cover many
topics
Science Eyewitness books: General ($16.00)
Backyard Scientist:
Book containing many fun experiments with each book covering many different
topics
Magic School Bus:
Videos, books, and CD-ROMs are available. My boys LOVE these.
TCM Thematic Units:
Filled with activity ideas based around different science theme. $10.00
Darwin and Evolution
for Kids:
His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities by Kristan Lawson: Activity book
Catalogs:
http://www.wolverinesports.com/scicat.html
Mainly different Science Kits
Home
Science Tools: (c)
I have purchased from them and they have a variety of items
Earths
Birthday:
Online store for little bugs & critters.
Tobins Lab: (c)
Learning
Resources:
School supply catalog. Everything listed can be ordered through local
school supply store.
Teacher
Created Materials:
School supplies catalog. Has a small science section.
ETA
Cuisenaire:
School supply catalog.
Online Sources:
Schlessinger Videos descriptions
www.brainpop.com
Online activities for many subjects. One is science.