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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Sept 16 2008 at 11:37am | IP Logged
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Please help. I had planned that my 7th grader would do Exploring Creation through General Science this year. She is balking at the idea. She says it is boring. I tell her that it is probably the most interesting science text we are going to find. (Notice, I did not try to convince her it is actually interesting, just more interesting than others.  )
Anyway, I am just about sick of trying to re-work everything for all these kids. I do sympathize with her. She says she likes science, but wants it to be real not just a textbook and experiments. I just want to know she is learning something.
What do I do with her? What can I give her? The younger kids are reading from Elizabeth's Science Baskets and narrating. We are going to be starting a nature club. Is there something on an older level that will be interesting? I need it to be something she can easily turn to and do consistently. Otherwise, she will skip it and just play the piano all day.
We are half way through September and I am already suffering from discouragement and burn out.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Patty
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| Posted: Sept 16 2008 at 5:40pm | IP Logged
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Have you ever tried TOPS science? It is very hands on and there are many, many different books, each with a different topic. The materials needed are usually household items or things you can easily buy.
You could couple this with books from the library...for instance, read about Thomas Edison and Ben Franklin with a unit on electricity, or famous botanists with a unit on plants.
They're more fun than text books, I promise.
HTH,
Patty
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 4:40pm | IP Logged
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I am having the same problem here with my 7th grader, but I think I am actually doing something even worse, Life Science by CHC by Michael Spear. We are going to stop and I too have to rethink what direction to take.
I have heard of TOPS but it just looks complicated to me. It might not be but it just seems that way.
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Claudia in Southern California
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Theresa
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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I'm in the same boat with my 9th grader who is not enjoying Physical Science at all. :(
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Theresa
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 9:58pm | IP Logged
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Waiting to hear some reccomendations  Apologia is not our cup of tea here...
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Kristie in Canada
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 10:00pm | IP Logged
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Kristie 4 wrote:
| Waiting to hear some reccomendations Apologia is not our cup of tea here... |
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Really why not?
I was thnking of going this route but, just don't have the funds. Till I do, I am trying to find time to look around.
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Claudia in Southern California
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KackyK
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 10:23pm | IP Logged
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Take a look at Real Science 4Kids Chemistry Level II. They only have Level II Chemistry right now. We have been using Level 1 for my 4th and 6th grader, and they like it. My dh has a chemistry phD and he previewed a copy of the Chem Level II. He said it is a really good middle school text. It wouldn't fly for a high school chemistry class, but it goes beyond a middle school class.
Anyways, maybe that would be more interesting??? HTH
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Beginning With the Assumption
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12stars
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 10:30pm | IP Logged
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I was looking at www.cellsalive.com I think for now I am going to use this resource and have her learn through this and make some quizzez for her.
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Claudia in Southern California
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Willa
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If you really want to stick with the book you chose, maybe you could alternate chapters of the book with topics from the library, etc. I think even middle schoolers can get a lot from a science book basket.
This is how my highschoolers did Apologia-- alternating the text with books from MacBeth's Opinion. Though I never managed to get anyone through Wile's General Science  -- and I'm looking for alternatives for Apologia for the upcoming highschoolers too.
On my classical list people have recommended Rainbow Science though I have not seen it myself. FWIW. This is apparently what TWTM recommends though they do mention a slightly irritating "talking down" tone. My kids are allergic to being patronized in print (I am, too, rather) and that is why Apologia has not been a success in our house.
I know what you mean about hating to have to rework things ....
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Willa
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MaryM
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| Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 11:49pm | IP Logged
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I'm currently debating between the Real Science 4Kids Chemistry Level II and Rainbow Science for my 7th grader. They both look pretty good from what I can see.
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| Posted: Sept 19 2008 at 12:02am | IP Logged
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Willa wrote:
If you really want to stick with the book you chose, maybe you could alternate chapters of the book with topics from the library, etc. I think even middle schoolers can get a lot from a science book basket.
This is how my highschoolers did Apologia-- alternating the text with books from MacBeth's Opinion. Though I never managed to get anyone through Wile's General Science -- and I'm looking for alternatives for Apologia for the upcoming highschoolers too.
On my classical list people have recommended Rainbow Science though I have not seen it myself. FWIW. This is apparently what TWTM recommends though they do mention a slightly irritating "talking down" tone. My kids are allergic to being patronized in print (I am, too, rather) and that is why Apologia has not been a success in our house.
I know what you mean about hating to have to rework things .... |
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I had thought about this science also I keep thinking about it over and over. Maybe your kids are more independent when it comes to science, my dd not so much I have had to guide her a lot this year. Maybe like you all have said the textbook is just not working for us. I am just afraid that she was going to have gaps if we went the library book way. I will try it though. I would love to get the Rainbow Science we are just broke.
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Claudia in Southern California
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lapazfarm
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You may want to check out these websites:
Geography4kids(aka physical geography or earth science)
Biology4kids
Chemistry4kids
Physics4kids
Cosmos4kids(aka astronomy)
You could easily make an entire curriculum from these sites. And though I'd hope folks would add on some hands-on stuff and not rely entirely on the websites, they sure beat the heck out of textbooks.
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Theresa
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| Posted: Sept 19 2008 at 12:19am | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
You may want to check out these websites:
Geography4kids(aka physical geography or earth science)
Biology4kids
Chemistry4kids
Physics4kids
Cosmos4kids(aka astronomy)
You could easily make an entire curriculum from these sites. And though I'd hope folks would add on some hands-on stuff and not rely entirely on the websites, they sure beat the heck out of textbooks. |
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WOW!! Thank you so much.  I could just  you those are so neat!! OK now I am excited again. I know she will like those links. I will probably use the Life Science as a spine and use the 4kids series.
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Claudia in Southern California
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12stars
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| Posted: Sept 19 2008 at 12:20am | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
Please help. I had planned that my 7th grader would do Exploring Creation through General Science this year. She is balking at the idea. She says it is boring. I tell her that it is probably the most interesting science text we are going to find. (Notice, I did not try to convince her it is actually interesting, just more interesting than others. )
Anyway, I am just about sick of trying to re-work everything for all these kids. I do sympathize with her. She says she likes science, but wants it to be real not just a textbook and experiments. I just want to know she is learning something.
What do I do with her? What can I give her? The younger kids are reading from Elizabeth's Science Baskets and narrating. We are going to be starting a nature club. Is there something on an older level that will be interesting? I need it to be something she can easily turn to and do consistently. Otherwise, she will skip it and just play the piano all day.
We are half way through September and I am already suffering from discouragement and burn out. |
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I know how you feel, but look on the bright side you can reformat science to your childs needs.
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Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Living science 7th grade?
