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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 29 2006 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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Tina,
I am truly sorry if I made you feel in any way inadequate. I assure you that was not my intention! Not at all! 
I am not a scientist. I was going to be and was trained to be (arachnologist, actually), but when it came right down to it, at the very last minute, I felt the call to teach much more strongly, and then specifically to homeschool. So, my science background is my strongest area and I have a deep and abiding love for all things scientific and consider myself a life-long learner in that area in particular.
I think at the younger ages it may be fine to use older books. The information they will learn is so very superficial (not meant in a bad way) that it will most likely not be an issue. As they get older (middle school or so)and want to delve more deeply into a topic, then I can see troubles arising with out-dated materials. I would suggest, just as you said, using a lively, colorful science book (though not a textbook, perhaps more like the Eyewitness or Usborne books-colorful and interesting!)and then supplementing with internet or periodicals.
For instance, when studying the solar system, use the book for info on the planets, stars, etc, and get a good star chart, but before you make that model,check with NASA for new developments. Here is an article (dated one year ago TODAY, coincidentally) that describes the 10th planet(?) and the debate about its and pluto's claims to planetary prominence. If we relied only on a 2 year old textbook, we would never know about this important discovery. And this debate is something a middle schooler can really sink his teeth into!(they love to debate, don't they?)
It can be like this for any topic, really.
You asked what I use, but I am quite an oddball  .
I don't actually use a book for a science spine, for the very reason you pointed out!I can't afford a new bundle of books each year! I do have some reference materials for the basics (layers of the earth and such),and for browsing, but no textbooks  . The spine itself is all in my head (does that sound weird or what?LOL!). We decide what we want to study and then I find the best resources I can.Often that will be a website, like NASA, or USGS, etc or this one:Extreme science. We rely mainly on the internet for info and then we do lots of hands-on exploration for the rest. My ds prefers it this way, anyway.
On to geography:
I personally love National geographics. I love them for the photos. Because even if they are out of date, those beautiful, moving, unparalleled photos can show us a world that, unless we are among the very lucky few who travel the world, we may never otherwise know. Past or present. So what if the text is out of date-that famous picture of those haunted eyes is timeless. It is photos like these that inspire us to want to learn more about a place or a race or a culture. And that inspiration is half the battle won. Once the interest is sparked by those old NG's then hop on the internet and find out the latest!
Oh, I hope all this makes sense as I am composing as I type, here. Anyway, for the littles it is mostly nature study anyway, right? It is only once we get to middle school where I would worry too much about it.
Does that sound too far off base?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 29 2006 at 4:47pm | IP Logged
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MacBeth you were posting as I was composing and I wanted to say I completely concur! I love fabre and Comstock and all those oldie goldies for the pure pleasure of their turn of phrase. I wouldn't trade that historical perspective for anything!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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MacBeth
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| Posted: July 30 2006 at 10:19am | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
| MacBeth you were posting as I was composing and I wanted to say I completely concur! |
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I knew you would .
I'm glad of the mention of NG, too, as old issues are my favorite historical distractions...I could spend hours...  .
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God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog 
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Tina P.
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| Posted: July 30 2006 at 4:47pm | IP Logged
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These National Geos have ads that look like they came from the 70s! When I find them, I can give you the exact years I've got. The advertisements crack me up! When (IF) we get settled, you'll have to come browse our selection, MacBeth!
God bless,
__________________
Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Culling Twaddle
