Opinions or Reviews on Living Learning Books Science?

[MelissaMinNC]

I'm thinking of using the Earth/Space curriculum next year, 2nd grade. Anyone use this? Pros, cons or other? Am I right in thinking that it's a teacher's manual, student pages and a list of books to use? Can you get all the books from the library; would it be better to buy them? Is there some reason this would be a better program than the WTM recs?

Life science this year is okay but not great, using WTM recs and methods. Dd loves, LOVES science - I'd like to keep it that way, give her something a little challenging, and very interesting. I'm not good at figuring out all the plans on my own, and making them exciting, LOL.

Thanks for any thoughts!
Melissa

[Trivium Academy]

This old post has Sue's pros/cons of the curriculum. I found it very helpful. The lesson plans I created for us (we're using this year) are in my signature, feel free to use them however you'd like- my dd7 loves science too. It contains grade level spines, living books to read (biographies, non-fiction and fiction), websites to explore, United Streaming videos to watch and the projects are engaging and easy on the parent (the come from the spines).

http://wtmboards.com/K8currApr262007/messages/1663.html

I will be using LLB Chemistry next year b/c it is the closest curriculum I could find that would be similar to what I would create myself- even if I have to beef it up.

[tess in the burbs]

I looked at the LLB level 2, but did not like enough to buy it for 2nd grade in the fall.

We will be using easyclassical.com (http://www.easyclassical.com/Earth_Science_product_page.html) 's 2nd grade science schedule. While my kids fall in the K-2 category, we already have Apologia's Astronomy book/lab kit and will be using some of that as well since the schedule gives it for the 2-4 crowd.

We are using the grade 1 science schedule this year and are very pleased. Both kids enjoy the lessons. It's laid out for two days a week for reading/activities, but most weeks can be done in 1 day if you prefer. And with multiple grade breakdown it's easy to do more....just read from another level :-)

[coffeegal]

I'm using it with older children (3rd, 4th, and 5th/6th), and we're enjoying it. It's very gentle for my children though. There are a few books, spines, that you will need to purchase. The books are used as the backbone for either Earth Science or Astronomy. The course is divided into topics which come with a list of recommended books to read, projects, videos, webpages. Also, each topic has a suggestion of a topic for older students to research. I check out many of the recommended books, and look for Bill Nye videos on the topic to watch. All in all, it has been an enjoyable year of science. I really think the course is what you make of it. If you do the minimum, you'll have a relaxed year of science. If you check out tons of books, vidoes, do read alouds, and complete most of the projects, do narration pages every day, it will be a more challenging course.