Science & History Match?

[tullyfamily]

I was wondering how many of you have your science & history lined up together like WTM recommends? We did this in the beginning but we have struggled to find science material that works for us. (We have 5 littles ages 8 and under.)

I've tried Apologia and while I like it, we just do not use it much. I did one book of AiG & we were the most consistent we've ever been so we are planning on buying it. Not sure how to line it up with the history we are doing (just started TOG Y2). So, do you think it is crucial to have them lined up together (ie, the same time periods)?

Oh, and does anyone have other suggestions for science for young ages? What about experiments?

Thanks in Advance!
Heather

[Parrothead]

I didn't have TWTM for first grade so we didn't match it up. But we have for 2nd-4th and it is working out well for us. For me it just makes sense to do it TWTM way.

I don't think it is crucial to do it that way though. It works for us, but may not work for everyone.

Check out the book 365 Simple Science Experiments http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Science-Experiments-Everyday-Materials/dp/1884822673/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b That may give you some ideas. I use it as a supplement.

[prairiegirl]

Science has been the biggest mess up for our family. In the 5 years that we have been homeschooling, I have yet to find a curriculum that works for us. My solution has been not to buy curriculums but to piece it together with encyclopdias, living books (our family likes Usborne), experiment books and kits. We are doing this for this year and, finally, science is working. I like doing it this way much better.

As far as following the WTM cycle, there is no law that says that you have to. I do only because it is easier for me to make sure that everything is covered. What we do, though, is follow the cycle but not for the whole year. We may do physics for 4 or 5 months and then branch off to interests that the kids have. I am finding that this works well for us.

[swellmomma]

History yes I follow TWTM suggestion, but in science not so much, we study what interests us at that point in time for htemost part. Now that we have found the apologia elementary series we will be following that right through high school, not necessarily in line with what TWTM recommends for each grade level.

[arcara]

We are following the science rotation according to TWTM so far, but this is only our 1st year. This year my 1st grader has been doing animal and human body studies with lapbooks (www.homeschoolshare.com (http://www.homeschoolshare.com) and www.handsofachild.com (http://www.handsofachild.com)) and books from the library. But, she's a lapbooking-type of kid. For a put-together program, I would've used R.E.A.L science. Next year she will do Earth science with R.E.A.L.

My oldest (3rd grade) has been doing chemistry this year according to TWTM. She's been enjoying it, but I think next time I do 3rd grade chemistry, I'd like to use a program that takes them through chemistry in a more organized fashion. She will be doing Physics next year with Noeo.

[jeh]

I recommend these. They are simple to use, and include lots of really fun experiments (that are easy to do!). My older kids beg to go back and redo the chemistry book because they had such a blast. They also follow the 4 yr. cycle, except they don't have a physics book.

[Jenny in Florida]

We don't follow the WTM recommendations for science materials, but I do make an attempt to match up science with history.

For example, We ended up doing astronomy one year when we were doing ancient history. It's not "the WTM way," but it worked well. We spent some time investigating the history of the universe and read about how ancient civilizations used astronomy. It was good.

This year, my son is back on ancient history, and I planned a year of investigating science in ancient civilizations.

Next year, it'll be the middle ages/Renaissance and biology. I haven't quite figured out how to match up those topics, but I will, I'm sure.

The year after that, we'll do American history and earth/space science. I'm planning to put together a unit on space exploration.

[siloam]

Heather,

Nope we don't follow the WTM recommendations, mostly because my kids refuse to do anything but plants and animals. Seriously. We did WP's program Animals and Their Worlds, followed by Apologia Zoo 1, 2 and now 3 and when I asked them what they want to do next? Animals. :blink:

I do have two that want to be vets so I am sure that has something to do with the preference. ;)

Heather (BTW nice name :D )