Author Topic: Homeschool Elementary Science (Read 2656 times)

ShepherdofSheep · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2013, 10:22:20 PM »

Quote from: Elizabeth

Hi Shepherd!

What is herping? I LOVE bird watching, identifying trees, catching bugs and all of that. They say it increases the IQ even. :geezer: So incredibly grateful to be near all that once more. I have never seen an animal being born before, though. It would be great for little ones, because so often they have to see dead animals along roads.

A "herptile" or "herp" is a reptile or amphibian- it comes from a Greek word meaning "creeping things". So a herpetologist studies herptiles, and a herper is a hobbyist. So to go herping means that one is going out to find and identify the little scaly and slimy things that run, crawl, slither, or hop around. It's quite a lot of fun!

Many farmers would be happy to allow you to watch a baby being delivered, especially a calf, lamb, or kid. It doesn't work so well for mares as they don't appreciate an audience. Check especially at dairy farms. If you live relatively nearby, you can ask them, if they are interested, to phone you once the animal starts labor and you can come over hopefully in time to see the delivery. Another idea if you live near an ag campus at a land grant university is see if they allow visitors (most do), and find out when babies are most likely to be born. If you are fortunate, you can see one there.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2013, 02:28:58 AM »

Thank you all for your suggestions! Science and history are pretty low on my priority list right now, but I like to have some idea of what I want to encourage them to do when we have time to do it -- especially this time of year when it's still too hot to spend much time outside.

m.o.m. - I'd love to see your CHC stuff, but I might not be in my usual spot on Sunday, so don't be in any hurry.

Tiffany · « **Reply #17 on:** September 13, 2013, 07:30:29 AM »

If you want something "in a box" check out the Usborne's Science With __. Some of have kits. They are secular so your library may have them.

I can't get their website to load but OLVS sells a 3 part Nature Series?? with nice stories.

We did paper airplanes and more paper airplanes.

I made them into a unit study with books about The Wright Brothers and Bleroit.

The biggest headache is watching out for Save The Seals & Virtue Is Being Green.

momofmany · « **Reply #18 on:** September 13, 2013, 09:31:22 AM »

Come mid-late October, the weather gets perfect for outside. The zoo is EMPTY during the week. And the Sunken Garden is right there. With Matthew's affinity for Japanese you could easily turn that into some kind of little unit study or lap book project on Japan and Dad could take the lead :roll-laugh2:

There is another idea for you. Lap books. Kids loooovve lap books. Pic a topic, any topic...history, science, religion and have them make lap books.

If you have no idea what I am talking about google them. So many websites will pop up your head will spin.

Ease them into second grade, do phonics, reading, math, religion, read alouds and call it a day. You can incorporate history/science into read alouds too.

I also have these all-in-one science kits. They were from a place called the Young Scientists Club and were great. Everything all in one bag. Now they've been absorbed by Magic School Bus so I can't speak for their quality and tone anymore. Some people love SuperCharged Science. I've never looked at it though.

Locally you have SREIT which is a Catholic homeschooling family business.

http://sreitonline.org/

Mabel · « **Reply #19 on:** September 13, 2013, 02:41:22 PM »

I find that OLVS and Seton are really not worth it. I do unit studies on a four year rotation with books that I already have for grades K-3...
K- I use a child science experiment book, Rainbows, Bubbles and Worms. We just do it when we have time

1-We study biology, plants, animals, humans ( like how the heart works and bones) also first aid and nutrition

2-Astronomy and space

3- Chemistry, we ended up doing a unit study on the Elements

4-Physical science, colors, motion, catapults, that sort of thing

(I start K at age 4 so this is just a basic idea, twice a week most of the time)

We do outside classes and field trips, as well.

For 5th grade and up I'm using Memoria Press' science materials. I'm considering Apologia for high school.