Looking for Earth Science for 7th graders...

[anativetexan]

to teach in a co-op setting for next year.

Has anyone used an Earth Science curriculum? Tell me the good, the bad and the ugly.

I've yet to find one that I like...there are so few out there.

Thanks for ANY help :)

[Trivium Academy]

You didn't mention whether you want secular or Christian based but I love Project Earth Science, which is secular. We have 3 of the 4 titles and I'm thrilled to use this for the next cycle.

Read about it at National Science Teachers Association website, here's the Geology (http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9780873551311) book, if you scroll down you'll see the other titles, each has content information.

[anativetexan]

I can tweak it as needed.

I like the book from NSTA...does it include lesson plans? What kind of teacher info does it give? Could the student use this book to read the material and a teacher discuss/do activities in a co-op setting?

Thanks for any help.

[Pam L in Mid Tenn]

We used the BJU Earth Science book. Typical textbook approach, but interesting and informative for us.

[Shasta Mom]

You didn't mention whether you want secular or Christian based but I love Project Earth Science, which is secular. We have 3 of the 4 titles and I'm thrilled to use this for the next cycle.

Read about it at National Science Teachers Association website, here's the Geology (http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9780873551311) book, if you scroll down you'll see the other titles, each has content information.
Jessica - this looks interesting to me. Are there workbooks? How does a typical lesson go? How long to do one of the books? Are there labs (I'm assuming something since I see there is a material list)? Have you tried Prentice Hall Science Explorer? If so, can you compare? THanks!

[anativetexan]

Jessica - this looks interesting to me. Are there workbooks? How does a typical lesson go? How long to do one of the books? Are there labs (I'm assuming something since I see there is a material list)? Have you tried Prentice Hall Science Explorer? If so, can you compare? THanks!

I have the same questions :)

[Trivium Academy]

From the Geology book...

The activities are designed to be hands-on. Each activity has two sections: a Student section and Teachers Guide. Each student section begins a poem, then Background information to briefly explain in non-technical terms, the concepts involved in the activity. Following this introduction is a step-by-step Procedure outline and a set of Questions/Conclusions to facilitate student understanding, encourage constructive thinking and advance the drawing of scientific conclusions.

Each activity begins with a poem or quote whose imagery has a theme related to the geological phenomenon under consideration. Teachers may choose to present these poems to students when activities are introduced. This practice will reinforce the point that the arts and sciences are interwoven.

The Teachers Guide contains a more thorough version of the background information given to students, plus a summary of Important Points for Students to Understand in the activity. Time Preparation estimates the duration of each activity, and Preparation describes the set-up and lists sources of materials for some. To challenge students to extend their study of each topic, Suggestions for Further Study are provided.

For relating the science in each activity to other disciplines, such as language arts, history and social sciences, Suggestions for Interdisciplinary Reading and Study are provided, as are subject-specific poems at the beginning of each activity. The final portion of each Teachers Guide provides Answers to Questions for Students.

There's a chart in the beginning of the book that provides a breakdown of how each activity involves: Subject Matter & Content, Scientific Inquiry, Unifying Concepts and Processes, Technology, Personal/Social Perspectives and Historical Content

Not only this but there are SciLinks! www.scilinks.org and you have a passcode in the book beside the topics that are linked, so you have online visual aids. Everything is provided in the book, reproducibles, experiments, vocabulary, websites, books, materials list, teacher's guide and answers to questions, and in the Annotated Bibliography there are listed resources for:

-Activities and Curriculum Projects (more)
-Books and Booklets (textbooks, story books, and booklets)
- Audio/Visual Materials
-Instructional Aids (charts, games, photographs and posters)
-Information and References (bulletins, bibliographies, catalogs, journals, reference booklets, periodicals, and reports)
-State Resources: each of the 50 states has its own geological survey, this category identifies some of the resources materials they are able to provide
-Internet Resources

Each entry begins with a quick-reference formula: category, publication date and grade level.

In comparison to Prentice Hall, although Prentice Hall seems very rigorous but the idea of "filling the bucket" popped out at me. It reminds me of my science from public school, learn this just long enough to pass the test and let's move on. Inquiry science how I wish my children to learn so I look for materials that will facilitate that. I'm trying to light fires and keep them burning. I do plan on having a science textbook handy for reading purposes but not for study or activities.

[Lori D.]

We used "Reader's Digest: How Earth Works", plus the TOPS unit (with supply kit) "Rocks & Minerals.

While we didn't do this as a co-op, I think it would be pretty easy to adapt both of these to co-op use. The book is set up in a series of 2-page spreads, with each spread on a specific earth science topic. Experiments are included in the book, which would be fun to do as a co-op. There is one in which you make a big wooden box, line it with plastic, put sand or soil in it, and do various erosion experiments -- we used a big "under the bed" cardboard box, lined it with garbage bags (duct taped in place) and it worked great!

The TOPS unit could be done in small groups -- one supply kit for every 2-4 students, for example.

BEST of luck in finding what works for your co-op -- and hope it will be fun and educational! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[angela in ohio]

We use Space & Earth Science from BJU, and I highly recommend it. It is their 8th grade text, but I use it with my 7th grader.

[Tami]

I have been teaching a co-op earth science class for 7th-9th graders using Prentice Hall's "Inside Earth." THis series is FABULOUS for co-ops. Here's why:

The student text is colorful and engaging
Text is only $18 new, Workbook is only $3
Tons of activity choices
Teaches study skills with Key Terms and Key Concepts clearly laid out
Lots and lots of activity choices to fit various learning styles
Online support and websites for students

I would recommend getting the Lab Zone CD and the teachers's All-In-One resource. THe Lab Zone has printable labs (the ones in the book plus extras) that you can print out with or without answers/notes. The All-In-One has answers plus all extra worksheets that you can use as quizzes, alternative assessment ideas with grading rubrics, and other helps. If you can't afford the All-in-One, you can get the extra worksheets on the interactive student cd, along with Discovery Channel video clips for $1.25. However, the interactive CD does NOT have the answers.

This is a really flexible curriculum. The chapter sections are short, so homework is light. There is enough time in the week for students to do chapter projects (in book) or to work on a Project Presentation of choice to present to the class on an Earth Science topic of interest. We decided to have each child do 2 presentations to the rest of the class during the course of the year on an earth-science topic of interest.

It has worked well to assign a chapter section and correlating workbook pages as homework. We begin class by having one student give their presentation. Then we discuss homework: Key Terms and Key Concepts. When questions about homework are answered, the kids like to play a game with the chapter terms, such as Taboo. Then we have lab or activity stations set up for the students to work through in pairs. I try to have different types of labs and stations covering different "intelligences" and learning modalities. Prentice-Hall makes this a snap! I have assessments about one a month alternating between a hands-on assessment (laid out in the All-In-One) or a written assessment (also in the All-In-One).

Homeschool materials don't have the types of "group-ey" activities I was looking for. P-H has been fantastic for my class.

I hope something was helpful!

: )
Tami

[Shasta Mom]

Jessica - thank you so much for such a thorough and thoughtful review. THis does sound interesting. Thanks to the others, too, for good suggestions.

[Shasta Mom]

Tami, how many weeks would you estimate this book is good for? And, 'inside' earth - is it just about the earth's interior and no study about surficial processes?

[Tami]

We used the BJU Earth Science book. Typical textbook approach, but interesting and informative for us.

Is the newest edition quite an improvement over the older? I have the older Earth Science and it spend too much time lecturing theology and not enough time on scientific process, imo. I love most of the BJU science titles, but the Earth Science I have (older) is really boring in comparison to other programs I have looked at. I haven't seen the newer one, though! I may have to take a peek.

[Tami]

Tami, how many weeks would you estimate this book is good for? And, 'inside' earth - is it just about the earth's interior and no study about surficial processes?

There are 4 small earth science titles, and you could do 2-4 a year. Totally flexible to how you prefer to teach. There are titles for "Astronomy, ' "Earth Waters," and "Changing Earth" if you wanted to study other topics in-depth. I preferred to let the students research them on their own and give presentations.

We did Inside Earth in a semester, over 15 weeks. I like to teach for depth, and we did lots of labs and outside research. If you wanted to move quickly, you could double the pace.

P-H does the SciLinks thing, too. It's really fun. Here's the TOC (http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=cfk&wcsuffix=1000):

* Chapter 1: Plate Tectonics
o SciLinks: The Structure of Earth
o SciLinks: Continental Drift
o Internet Activity: Convection Currents
o Internet Activity: Sea-Floor Spreading
o Self-Assessment

* Chapter 2: Earthquakes
o SciLinks: Faults
o SciLinks: Earthquake Measurement
o Technology and Society: Seismic-Safe Buildings
o Planet Diary Activity: Earthquakes In Your State
o Self-Assessment

* Chapter 3: Volcanoes
o SciLinks: Eruptions
o SciLinks: Volcanic Effects
o Planet Diary Activity: Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics
o Self-Assessment

* Chapter 4: Minerals
o SciLinks: Mining Minerals
o Science and Society: Who Owns the Ocean's Minerals?
o Internet Activity: Mineral Formation
o Data Sharing: Finding the Density of Minerals
o Self-Assessment

* Chapter 5: Rocks


I thought about doing "Earth's Waters" for second semester, but my schedule just does not allow it.

I like the Explorer series because the students like having the textbook/workbook to do at home, and it is easy on The Mom. The students come prepared and ready to do group-ey activities and labs by doing the more book-ish study at home.

HTH!

[Shasta Mom]

Thanks so much, Tami for taking the time to write that. I've been leaning PH for a while. My ds is only in 4th, but he can definitely handle the higher level science. This looks good.