Prentice Hall Science 6th grade (and/or middle school)

[Pensguys]

I tried to search and found everything except what I was looking for.

Can someone please explain these books to me? I read somewhere where there are 16 books and then my friend has ONE for earth science.

How are they set up? How much planning do you do? Can the student do most on his/her own? What about experiments? Is this just a read and answer the questions kind of format?

Thanks.

[AngieW in Texas]

The ONE book your friend has for earth science is a bindup of 5 of the individual books - Earth's Changing Surface, Inside Earth, Earth's Waters, Astronomy, and Weather&Climate.

links to some previous posts about this series:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5507&highlight=science+explorer
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=539&highlight=science+explorer
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468&highlight=science+explorer

[Sue in St Pete]

Yes, there are 5 for earth science, 5 for life science, 5 for physical science, and an extra. Or you can buy the bindups that have 5-in-1.

How are they set up? Astronomy has 4 chapters. Each chapter has 4-6 sections. After each section there is a section assessment. After each chapter, there is a chapter test. Experiments are interspersed.

Can someone please explain these books to me? Sure. We have almost finished Astronomy. I have my son read a section and do the corresponding pages in the workbook. I have him do the section assessment from the previous section for review as well. He does the chapter test a week after he finishes the chapter. I buy the student book, teacher book (I need the answers to everything in the student book), and the Guided Reading and Study Workbook.

How much planning do you do? Little.

Can the student do most on his/her own? Yes.

What about experiments? Yes, they have them and they are fairly doable.

Is this just a read and answer the questions kind of format? For us, yes. More science-oriented families probably have more discussion.

I have samples of the Guided Reading and Study Workbook. Email me if you would like them.

Here's the best link. Their website is a mess.
Science Explorer (http://phcatalog.pearson.com/program_multiple.cfm?site_id=6&discipline_id=808&subarea_id=5383&program_id=21981)

HTH! :grouphug:

[SS in MD]

Sue, I had a few questions about PH Sci Explorer series-

I looked at this last year for my dd. But, was so confused by the website thatI stopped looking. But am looking at it again this year. Can you tell me how the Student Text differs from the Guided Reading Book?

Also, is there a PH Explorer Life Science series? (I'm trying to use REAL Science Life with my 2nd grader next year and thought of including my 6th grader too, but adding in PH Explorer series for her)

Where did you buy PH series from? Online? Catalog?

Thanks for answering! I appreciate it.

[Pensguys]

Thanks everyone....I'll get back to your answers tonight...busy day.

[LisaNY]

Sue, I had a few questions about PH Sci Explorer series-

I looked at this last year for my dd. But, was so confused by the website thatI stopped looking. But am looking at it again this year. Can you tell me how the Student Text differs from the Guided Reading Book?

Also, is there a PH Explorer Life Science series? (I'm trying to use REAL Science Life with my 2nd grader next year and thought of including my 6th grader too, but adding in PH Explorer series for her)

Where did you buy PH series from? Online? Catalog?

Thanks for answering! I appreciate it.

You can find PH Explorer used on Amazon, Ebay, and other used textbook sites. I found a used TM on Amazon for the 2005 text on Animals. I ended up buying the Student text new from PH, since I got such a good deal on the TM.

[Sue in St Pete]

Student Text = hardback student text with section assessment (questions) and chapter tests. Non-consumable (and therefore resellable)
Guided Reading = flimsy paper workbook with additional questions. Consumable.

I have samples of the Guided Reading. Email me and I will send them to you.

Yes, there is Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. My earlier post was incorrect.

I buy new from PH via their 800 number. The printed catalog is somewhat easier to deal with than their website. I will eventually sign up for their online system.

Many people buy used. There are many student texts available used. I like the teacher's text because science is my weak subject. I don't have the time to search for used teacher's texts.

HTH!

[Sue in St Pete]

(I'm trying to use REAL Science Life with my 2nd grader next year and thought of including my 6th grader too, but adding in PH Explorer series for her)

By the way, this sounds like an excellent idea :iagree:

[Pensguys]

Thanks again for the help with this. I'm going to look at my friend's books in person and see how I like it. I had decided to do Rainbow Science, but I sort of feel the need to be in a "sequence" since we're getting so close to high school (by starting middle school).

I'll read the links ya'll provided too.