REAL Science (Pandia Press) users--scheduling question.

[cin]

I am working on my plans for next year and am wondering how many days a week you did science? Did you do one unit a week? How many days per unit? I'm debating on alternating days with History, but I'm just not sure how much would 'stick' if we only did it 2 days a week...

TIA,

[Paula in PA]

I set up our schedule to do, usually, 2 activities per week. If a unit had, say, 5 activities, we would do it over 3 weeks with lots of additional reading. I also stretched certain parts out, like Human Body, to include other activity books. But we do a 42 week year, so YMMV. As far as retention, she has shown many times that it stuck (especially the creepy crawly stuff :001_rolleyes:).

[Damselfly]

I also plan to use R.E.A.L. Science (Life) when my DS5 begins first grade (he'll only be starting K this fall, so I'm jumping the gun). After countless hours of research, I decided this was the program for us. :thumbup1:

I've been playing around with scheduling and it sounds like you and I are on the same page as far as alternating days with History. And I understand your concern about how much it will 'stick'. :confused:

The way I'm planning to use it, the second science day will be an 'extended' session where we'll do any experiments/labs as well as outside readings and notebooking. I think for a first grader (in my case... I'm not sure how old your children are) this is plenty of time spent on a formal science program. In addition to the REAL Science curriculum we will also be doing plenty of nature studies and field trips, which I believe will enhance the program and make it come alive for DS.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has actually already used this curriculum--how they liked it and how they went about scheduling it.

[momtolgd]

I too will be watching this thread with interest as we will be doing R.E.A.L. Science Life next year also. We have a 4 day week at home through much of our school year because 1 day is co-op day, so I was also thinking of alternating with history. Having not seen the book yet though, I'm wondering how it would work out.

:lurk5:

[Osaubi]

I just got this a couple of weeks ago, and in the intro it says it is intended to be used from start to finish. That the concepts and vocabulary build on one another. It also says it was written to be used 2-3 times a week.
We have only used it for a couple of weeks, and I think it is very easy to use(for my non-science mind). I schedule it in 2 days a week, and that is working out for our current schedule of 4 days a week.

HTH,
Kim

[cin]

Great Kim! Thanks so much!!! That is exactly what I needed to know. Science, T-TH, History, M-W, and Friday is up for grabs :001_smile:

[Parabola]

The biggest problem I had scheduling this was actually seasonal timing. So many of the animal labs require live insects, etc. that one finds outside. But, the animal units are in the middle of the book, and thus would fall in the middle of winter. I rearranged things so animal units were first, started in August and still didn't make it through before cold weather hit.
Obviously, if you live where its warm year round this wouldn't be a problem. But if you don't, just giving the heads up. Its a great program, ds really enjoyed it.