Interactive Science for Inquiring Minds - anyone using this?

[Lorna]

I am thinking of using this next year for my 8th grader.
She wants to be a vet when she grows up and so I am looking to provide her with a rigorous course.
She will be doing NEM 2 for math, so which book should I start her on?
If you do this, what do you do for practicals?
Many thanks,
Lorna

[KAR120C]

I am thinking of using this next year for my 8th grader.
She wants to be a vet when she grows up and so I am looking to provide her with a rigorous course.
She will be doing NEM 2 for math, so which book should I start her on?
If you do this, what do you do for practicals?
Many thanks,
Lorna
We're using the older version (Interactive Science) that was just discontinued, but assuming it's similar....

NEM 2 math would match up with Interactive 2 (ISfIM B) as both are for 8th grade, although there's nothing wrong with starting with Interactive 1 (A) -- they don't match so closely that you have to do the math and science together or anything... I think you could go either way.

We bought the practical books and most of the experiments were actually fine. A couple were going to be expensive, or were too much for whatever reason and we either skipped them or replaced them. There are two places I've grabbed replacement experiments from -- Le Boom du Jour (out of print, but available used -- good chemistry experiments and mostly home-friendly) and TOPS Science task card books. The TOPS Solutions book came in handy, and I think Oxidation was another...

Also there were a couple places in Interactive 1 that called for equipment or chemicals that were (IMO) not really necessary... like data loggers instead of regular thermometers, or hydrochloric acid just to turn litmus paper red (when vinegar does fine for that). We just did them the old fashioned and/or easy way and there wasn't any problem. Everything else it has called for has been reasonable... some of the physics apparatus in the second year book might be a bit much if you didn't think you'd use it again, but it's put to good use. I think I'll be getting it when we're at that point.

Hope this helps!

[Myrtle]

I just got Interactive Science (the new edition) in the mail today.

I ordered the textbook and labs with it. The "practical workbook" is the lab book and specifies all the materials you will need for the activities.

The one change that I noticed between the two editions is the increase in token gesture non-science activities, "fuzzy" science, if you will. They have the kids research and opining on the ethics of the Human Genome project before the kids have even been taught what DNA is. There is an activity that for the students to conduct a survey on refrigerator preferences and present their findings via power point. Not a lot of that though.

The other difference is that the very last chapter of the new edition is sex ed. It's a very short chapter, covers the basics, and spends a few paragraphs discussing the dangers of teenage pregnancy, abortion, dangers of abortion, a brief despcription of the variety of birth control that "married couples" use, and a few sexually transmitted diseases.

I think I will use it because visually it's organized better than the old edition. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time figuring out what I'll need for the chemistry practicals.

[Lorna]

Thank you both for your help. That gives me a clearer idea of what I am looking at! I did wonder about the advice on the practicals. I guess it is really a disclaimer. We have done many 'real' experiments at home and it is partly the reason we home educate that we have the time and the calm atmosphere condusive to good experimenting. I know our limitations and it will be great to have a complementary series too.
Regards,
Lorna

[GVA]

I'm considering using the Level A book for a 7th grader as just a "book" course, no lab. He's doing a year of natural science in a co-op with notebooking, but I want him to also look at other topics as well next year and Singpore is affordable with good content as well. Which pieces would I need to do that?

I'm science-oriented, having been in scientific research/program management for 15 years before children, so I might not need a key at that level.

I'm thinking that the textbook and workbook would be enough for us. From the samples I've seen, I don't think the teacher's guide or workbook teacher's edition would add much.

Opinions?

[GVA]

:)

[Elm in NJ]

I am using Interactive 1 with my 7th grader. You don't need the teacher's guide but I am finding that the workbook teacher's guide has been very useful a few times for me.

[GVA]

I'm one that uses the Spelling Workout TG's because when I'm tired, it makes checking faster and I don't have to think as hard.;)

Thanks for the help!