How do you teach Science?

[hsmom]

I am finding there is way too many ways an opinions on Science. I would like my children exposed to all opinions. I believe that they need to know what others believe also. I mean I am not going to hide the fact that some believe in evolution, young earth - creation, and creation. Also at the same time I don't want to confuse them. Do you know what I mean? I want them to know all sides of Science, because Science is awesome in the fact that there are so many different ways you can believe and see it. Unlike history which follow the a basic path, because we all know history.

Science is one of those things that is not alway the same or have a same opinion. Does anyone else teach it this way? Also if you do how? Right now we are sticking to the basics of Science, but I do need to introduce these topics to my children eventually.

Any help or opinions are welcome. I know this is a touchy subject for some, but we are all adults and have our own opinion. So, I think knowing that we can have a civil conversation on this topic. As long as everyone remembers we all have our own opinions even if we don't always agree.

[nestof3]

We don't hide different viewpoints here either. It would be hard to with so many Usborne books lying around, or since they watch Planet Earth. We just make sure we are teaching them from the start our viewpoint (young earth creationism) and add the science in.

Our 8 year old listens to Jonathan Park and gets a lot of creationist viewpoint from there as well. In fact, one day he was reading an Usborne book -- the beginning, evolutionary part. I said, "Nathan, you know that's the part about man evolving from a monkey don't you?" And he said, "Yes, I want to know what they think so I will be able to prove them wrong someday."

So, there you go. LOL

[Jenny in Atl]

I do this with everything, not just science. I'm not a Creationist, but for example, we used Exploring Creation with Botany last summer. We enjoyed the CM style. I don't think it's hard to expose kids to multiple views, it's harder to shelter them.

[hmsch4me]

on her Science CD (purchased through Peace Hill Press). She said to choose your main textbook that follows your beliefs, then supplement with other books that explain the other sides to science. An example would be that if you believe in Creation, you could use Apologia Science and supplement with the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia, or read Darwin's Black Box, etc. This exposes them to other views and theories, but doesn't confuse them in their main text. Make sense?

We have actually chosen a secular science program for middle school (we used Apologia Elem. Science in elementary) because I like the approach of books like Prentice Hall and Readers Digest. However, we do discuss that the theory of evolution and creation and how it incorporates into our beliefs.

[Daisy]

I personally believe that every subject is taught within the lense of belief. We teach our children the truth of what Scripture makes known about Science (God created the world). As far as what other's believe, we discuss evolution and we explain to our children that we do not believe that because of x,y, and z (and we list our reasons). We do not teach our children to be rude or ugly about another's beliefs but neither do we teach them to be apathetic. We do not wish to have "tolerant" children as the world defines the term. We wish to have children who live their lives with conviction and firm determination.

I only keep evolutionary content away from my children when they are learning to read. I won't buy a book that says alligators have been around for millions of years if it is an independent early reader. Simply because I may not be around to discuss it with them if they read it on their own. We have science books that have evolution mentioned. We prefer to buy creation-based books & products simply because they are so few and far between and we want to encourage that kind of publishing. Besides it is cool! When my DD reads a Magic School Bus chapter book, I just tell her stuff like, "Hey, there are 4 references to evolution in that book so see if you can find them." It helps her start looking for that kind of subtle indoctrination on her own. Oh, and we don't buy secular science curriculum.

[Trivium Academy]

We have chosen to selectively pick science materials that say, "scientists think", "we do not know for sure" in regards to Creation. We also have decided to make sure the products we use do not promote a prejudice or hatred towards those with opposing opinions. We teach our children that God created all, the how and when cannot be known but people have theories. Later we'll study all the theories, probably after having a good foundation in logic. Ultimately we use more evolution based materials b/c there are no statements regarding the opposing theories, this allows me to provide our belief that whatever theory is correct, it is God's creation.

We focus more on Jesus' teachings.

[Rhesa]

We have chosen to selectively pick science materials that say, "scientists think", "we do not know for sure" in regards to Creation. We also have decided to make sure the products we use do not promote a prejudice or hatred towards those with opposing opinions. We teach our children that God created all, the how and when cannot be known but people have theories. Later we'll study all the theories, probably after having a good foundation in logic. Ultimately we use more evolution based materials b/c there are no statements regarding the opposing theories, this allows me to provide our belief that whatever theory is correct, it is God's creation.

I appreciate Trivium's post- we have taken a very similar approach. I especially like the mention that we do not use products that promote prejudice or hatred from either side. I do not want my kids to look down upon people just because they don't agree with them.

My family "stock" is strict young-earth creationist. However, even as a teenager, I was confused by the venomous tone used in reference to people who believed differently. It would be nice if both sides had a little humility and treated each other with respect (however grudgingly)...

So I guess this is one long "ditto, Jessica!":iagree:

I can't believe I'm posting this. I usually steer clear of controversial issues. I can just see the negative reps coming...

[Rhesa]

I forgot to add...

We're using a science spine that does include a small amount of evolutionary theory. I don't spend a huge amount of time on it. Just something along the lines of..."Science has shown that..." or "This is science's best way to understand the origins of..."

But we talk about God as Creator, as well.

Since I'm still working out my own opinion (with fear and trembling!:)), I'm just going to take each step as it comes. They are not asking for a more in-depth explanation right now. When they do, we'll look at it together.

[Myrtle]

Without tiptoeing around the subject, my completely uninformed opinion about science is that there is more than enough elementary science to learn without going off into cosmology, evolution, abortion, animal rights, or global warming, especially in K8 grades.

For these issues to be understood properly I think it really does take advanced degrees in those respective fields. In other words, it really does take a rocket scientist to understand the math and physics behind an argument about the origins of the universe. Granted, we can all understand the very, very basic concepts of each argument, but teaching that as part of a science class, rather than directly teaching the science, ceases to be science and instead turns science class into rhetoric, philosophy, religion, or a class on tolerance. There is a place for all of those things, but that place is not in a science class. Without justification for making the assertions about complex issues, I can not say that I "have knowledge" of these issues, the best I can do is parrot back the same old hackneyed arguments that come up in documentaries and online arguments. That act is not "science", it's not research, it's just rhetoric and ideology.

While I believe the entire argument on evolution I am not going to spend one day of science "teaching evolution" when my kid hasn't even gotten basic cell biology or biochemistry down yet. I am not going to spend time on global warming when my kid still needs to take a basic course on chemistry, oceanagraphy, and metereology, nor will I "teach" origins of the universe without being able to explain the hard core math that backs up the assertions that folks are making.

I have seen moralizing on this that or the other issue in science books and I have always felt free to skip that and instead substitute it with another lesson in basic physical science or chemistry.

[ArwenA]

I too want my kids to be exposed to various views. We are Creationists but I think it is important to understand that some people believe in evolution.
Our science curriculum in RS4K which doesn't promote evolution or Creation, it's just the science.
When my kids are really little I tell them about God's Creation. As they get older I begin to tell them about other peoples opinions. We have some books on evolution that we read and discuss together. Charles Darwin has influenced science and I think it is important that we know about him even if his beliefs are contradictory to ours.
I expect my children to remain Christian until they are adults and then it is their choice about where they wish to go in life. If they choose to believe in evolution I will respect and honour their decision.

[OhElizabeth]

Most proponents of creation science/young earth WANT you to present all the sides. They're GOING to hear it all around them, so they need to hear it first from you, kinda like s*x. ;)

I think the key is to chose materials that are presenting from the viewpoint that you hold. That will make it easiest for you.

[Jennifer in NH]

We have chosen to selectively pick science materials that say, "scientists think", "we do not know for sure" in regards to Creation. We also have decided to make sure the products we use do not promote a prejudice or hatred towards those with opposing opinions. We teach our children that God created all, the how and when cannot be known but people have theories. Later we'll study all the theories, probably after having a good foundation in logic. Ultimately we use more evolution based materials b/c there are no statements regarding the opposing theories, this allows me to provide our belief that whatever theory is correct, it is God's creation.

We focus more on Jesus' teachings.

:iagree: I wish I had thought to put it this way!

[Karen in CO]

When I read the title of this thread, I assumed it would be about whether we used textbooks, living books or exploration and experiments to teach science. I wouldn't have opened it had I known it was about teaching religion, apologetics, and rhetoric to elementary kids that still need to learn the basic laws of physics or the basics of cell biology.

I teach my kids science. In elementary school, I teach them science they can see and touch and experiment with. There is a lot of math and science that needs to come before deciding whether or not to teach evolutionary biology and astrophysics. I won't spend one day of science teaching creation or evolution to my first grader. I will spend time in discussions about what people believe, but that isn't science. When we talk about dinosaurs, we will go to the dinosaur museum and see them. We will go to the local fossil beds and see them. That is science. When we studied animals, we spent a lot of time at the zoo looking at and learning about animals. Again, that is science. And when we study biology, we will look at cells through a microscope and learn about their structure. I teach about religion at a different time.

I knew there was a reason I usually don't open threads about this topic. :D

[8FillTheHeart]

Unlike history which follow the a basic path, because we all know history.

LOL......I definitely don't agree with that premise. The vast majority of history books teach from a "white Anglo-Saxon Protestant" viewpoint! I can tell you that many of the homeschool products are full of whoppers!

I teach my children age appropriate different viewpoints in both history and science.

[Pata]

As a science major I agree that all viewpoints need to be taught on some level. You don't want your kids to go to college ignorant of some of the major theories. That said, I think that it is important to start with what you believe. At this young age, if we run across another viewpoint, I say this is what some people say, but this is what we believe and I answer questions that she might have about it. As she gets older and can understand more, I will go more in depth about why we believe what we do and why we don't believe what we don't. Does that make sense?

[hsmom]

LOL......I definitely don't agree with that premise. The vast majority of history books teach from a "white Anglo-Saxon Protestant" viewpoint! I can tell you that many of the homeschool products are full of whoppers!

I teach my children age appropriate different viewpoints in both history and science.


I meant along the lines like yes we all know the civil war happened, everyone might not agree why or get to it the same way. But in the end we all end up covering those history facts. Did that make sense?

[8FillTheHeart]

I meant along the lines like yes we all know the civil war happened, everyone might not agree why or get to it the same way. But in the end we all end up covering those history facts. Did that make sense?

Not to be obtuse, but no, I still don't agree. Most tend to only cover history facts from whatever perspective the source they are using covers them. That doesn't make them correct.

History is no difference than science. Creationism vs. evolution.....sources are never balanced. (At least I have never seen one where the bias of the author was not evident). If you want to teach your children both sides of the issue, you are going to have to use sources that teach from opposing view points.

History.....there are so many biases......everything from why the Georgians prevented the Cherokee from convening, the Civil War and state rights and slavery and federalism, even modern history and Constitutional interpretation. World history......wow, there is huge can of worms......the 1500s-1700s from a Protestant perspective and from a Catholic perspective.

I do not believe many people teach history outside of their own comfort zone and perspective unless it is an issue which they feel personally detached from. For example....I bet many are willing to teach from the Indian perspective but very few actually teach a Catholic perspective of the reformation time period.

Science skewing with the creation vs evolution debate is no different. When someone's ideology is tied up in a viewpoint, that is the one they are going to tend to teach.

Rather interestingly, teaching multiple view points can have its quirks. I believe in a limited evolutionary theory (not a big bang evolutionist) However, not one of my children agrees with me and my older kids are creationists (at least at this point in their lives). I am not forcing a view point on my kids. I allow them to reason on their own.