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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 9:32pm | IP Logged
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From another thread:
JennGM wrote:
| The resident science gurus on this board regularly say that science textbooks aren't needed. |
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I would so love to agree with the statement that textbooks as such are not needed. My one concern is that once I get 'beyond' Montessori materials/activities, I am uncertain of how to ensure we cover all the appropriate topics in appropriate depth without using textbooks.
Is there a comprehensive list of topics somewhere that we could use as a guideline of sorts? I have thought of writing out the table of contents of some textbooks, as well as some of the state guidelines and putting those together as well as obtaining some good science encyclopedias (know of any from a good non-anti Catholic viewpoint?). This is nothing that I would follow to a T or in any particular order, but just to see what all the options/topics are, then using living books, home experiments, studies, journals, etc.
So I guess that is two questions.... If anyone has done any of the above or has started, perhaps we could share ideas/resources? I am thinking specifically of 1-8th grade, but also high school.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 04 2007 at 1:15am | IP Logged
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I don't use textbooks for science and never will. I assure you it really can be done.
I think yours sounds like a great plan. The tables of contents will give you the confidence you need to make sure you cover all the bases, and the freedom to address them as you see fit.
As for living books there are two sources I would point you to for sure:
Elizabeth's nature study booklist she posted on her blog (I believe it was originally a handout from a talk, am I right?) is fabulous.
MacBeth's opinion is a great source for living books on all the areas of science, categorized and grade leveled for your convenience!
Then you will want to get some books with ideas for experiments and activities. I cannot stress enough the importance of hands-on work for science.
Last but not least, you will need a plan of action to get out and see things that you would not normally run across in your average nature hike. Exposure to nature in it's many and varied forms will do more to teach a child about science than any textbook ever will. So if you live in a forested region, make plans to visit the desert and the sea, and vice-versa. When you go, have a camera, a sketchbook, and field guides at the ready and spend as much time exploring as you can, drinking it all in.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Marjorie
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| Posted: July 04 2007 at 6:29am | IP Logged
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Theresa,
Science at our house is LARGELY hands on, but this year I want to concentrate on biology. Only late in life :-) have I come to love science so I do not have a good foundation to draw from. I too am looking for a good spine or list to give me some direction/structure. I found The Science of Life: Projects and Principles for Beginning Biologists
by Jr., Frank G. Bottone to offer some interesting experiment ideas organized by kingdom, but I still want a good basic text for definitions, diagrams, processes etc. Any suggestions?
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Marjorie
Lettres de mon Moulin
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: July 04 2007 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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Theresa:
Thank you so much for the ideas. I definitely want to focus on hands-on and real experiences.
Do you (or anyone else) have any preferences for experiment guides, field guides or encyclopedias?
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 04 2007 at 3:42pm | IP Logged
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Marjorie:
For that kind of information I recommend a good, colorful, piture-laden Encyclopedia of Science such as the DK , Kingfisher, or Usborne series.
These books tend to be info-packed, but also highly browsable and user-friendly, unlike a textbook.
I would take a look at all three and then choose one which you feel is most compatable for you and your children and buy it to keep handy as a reference. Also, since these books tend to be light on life science and heavy on earth and physical, I would supplement with a few Eyewitness books on topics such as human body, trees, ponds, seashore, etc. These are pretty readily available at the library to check out as you need them. They also have series aimed at various age groups, so you can get the ones most suitable for the age you are working with.
Have fun!
I am headed out to see if we can spot a bear today!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 04 2007 at 4:11pm | IP Logged
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CatholicMommy,
I don't really use experiment books much because I tend to pull ideas from whatever we are doing or seeing at the time.
But I can see the need for them for a lot of moms who just don't think that way(like I need a book to tell me how to do crafts because I cannot for the life of me think up my own! LOL!).
There are tons of science experiment books out there. Some are better than others, of course, so my advice is to head to the bookstore and browse through them to see which ones suit you and your family. Steer clear of the ones that are aimed for science fair projects. Those projects tend to be very contrived and dull.
I am sure some of the other ladies here who have experience with experiment books will have some good recommendations. I think MaryG (?) had one she really liked.
There are, however a few websites that my ds likes to use sometimes. I don't have my bookmarks on this computer here in Alaska so it might take me awhile to hunt down the links for you. One fun one is Steve Spangler Science.
I will try to post more soon, but right now, the elusive Kodiak brown bear awaits discovery!LOL!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Science topics/guides
