Do you use a packaged curriculum for Science

[Novafan]

Or do you do it on your own using library books, science encyclopedias, etc?

I'd love to hear how those who do it on their own do it and plan it.

We want hands-on, hands-on, and hands-on here. I don't want to resort to worksheets and workbooks for science. I'm not talking about charts or diagrams, but I just don't want classic "fill in the blank" worksheets for science.

We are new to HS'ing (since January) and trucking along in most of the other major subjects (writing needs some tweaking too), but our science plan seems a bit disjointed and misguided (or not guided at all at this point). I don't want to resort to a "packaged" curriculum for science.

[Luanne]

as to how people will respond.

[Novafan]

as to how people will respond.

Isn't it nice to know you're not alone. Luanne, we will figure this science thing out together. I need to figure out how to get my 2nd grade DS excited about writing. And confident. Oh boy are we having confidence issues when it comes to writing.

[training5]

Have you taken a look at NOEO Science? It might fit what you are looking for.
For writing, mine are older but still on the same level as your son. We are working on narrations and answering questions from SOTW in complete sentences. I am dying for SWB's new book. That is what I plan to use here.

[Trivium Academy]

First here's my Earth Science (w/Geography)/Astronomy lesson plans
http://www.savefile.com/projects/808473606

That way you can see something that someone else has created for themselves.

1. Determine WHAT you want to study.
2. Determine how LONG you want to study.
3. Determine how MUCH you want to spend.

Once you figure out those perimeters you can move forward.
FIND YOUR BOOKS
- If you have a limited budget go to your local library and see what books they have available to use, make a list of your favorites within the subject of study
- Finding great spines online1. Go to Amazon, type your subject in the search, hit BOOKS, hit CHILDREN'S BOOKS, then if you want hit the appropriate age group, pay attention to the reviews on Amazon. If you cannot see the inside of the book, try www.christianbook.com (http://www.christianbook.com) or www.rainbowresource.com (http://www.rainbowresource.com).
2. Ask other Homeschoolers about the book you're interested in, be prepared to hear both positive and negative (nothing works for everybody)
I tend to pick a non-fiction, fiction and biography out for every subject. Once you have your books you can schedule them out using how long you want your study to be.

I also find online activities to enrich our studies or to provide a change of pace, esp. in science. Of course with experiments you'll want to document those with a notebook page but it's up to you if you do any other science notebook work.

The plans I created have it laid out for you how I did it, and the plans are not followed to a T, they are supposed to have too much to do so each week we can cherry-pick what interests us most.

I came back to add that we're changing our approach with science to be less structured by just reading from living books (books written by an author with passion for a subject which in turn inspires the reader, engaging books), doing experiments and nature study until about 6th or 7th grade. I've been saying this a lot lately but researching the hows and whys of what we're studying has really opened my eyes to what may be the most effective approach to our studies and best use of our time.

[daisychics]

Thank you for the lessons! We're going to study about the sun today. I love how you included "101 Science Poems & Songs for Young Learners" by Meish Goldish - I would have never thought of that! Thanks for sharing!

Cecilia :)

love love love "The Planets Poem".

[Another Lynn]

I'm chuckling at the idea that I would respond to a science thread, LOL - it's my worst subject, so I really have no business, LOL. Since you said you wanted hands on stuff, I just wanted to add that if you end up doing your own thing you might like the Janice Van Cleave books. They are full of "experiments" you can do.

As far as writing goes. I have no answers there either. Like previous poster I'm anxious for SWB's new book, Writing With Ease.

[Trivium Academy]

No problem, shorty. :)

[Susie in CA]

I think, we figured out what to do next year. Physics! We'll be using the Science in the Nutshell kits as our 'spine.' They are also sold as clusters which means each box contains the materials for 4 (or so) kits and a teacher's manual. It looks great. Between the clusters we will use JaniceVanCleve books on Electricity and Gravity, Klutz books, and build Knex Models, Rokkenbock (sp?) Models, and work with Snap Circuits. On the side we'll read "The Way Things Work."

I am actually excited. I have a plan.

So far Science has been either to easy or too hard. Or it had to much writing, or not enough experiments or projects. I really have not found a single science curriculum we have been truly happy with.

BTW,my boys will be Grade 3 and 4 next school year.

Susie

[Sue in St Pete]

is TOPS (http://www.topscience.org/). This is billed as for homeschoolers by homeschoolers. Dh and 12yo ds are using Rocks & Minerals right now and it's going well.

I've used:
LLB Earth/Sky for 2nd
LLB Chemistry for 3rd
RS4K Physics for 4th
Noeo Biology 2 for 5th
Science Explorer Astronomy & TOPS for 6th. I have reviews for 2nd-5th. Email me if you would like any.

[Pretty in Pink]

i only have experience w/ elementary science, and we use apologia.

i buy the text as well as the supply kit so we always have our materials on hand (apologia is very hands on).

the text contains a password that gives you online access to all sorts of "book extras" including all the blank notebook pages you will need for the year. i just print them out and use my 3 hole punch to place them in a binder. students are instucted to summarize their reading, make appropriate illustrations, and fill in charts, etc. for each lesson.

[Novafan]

Wow! Thank you for such thoughtful replies, everyone. Jessica, thank you for sharing your plans and your planning method.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that we are not going to approach science through unit studies, not yet. I basically have a huge list of topics from botany, biology, zoology, and physical science that I'd like the boys to be introduced.

I will take a look at some of the resources that were mentioned. Thank you again!