one l michele
03-04-2009, 09:32 PM
Details about the texts and activity guides:
1. Some spelling, wording, and trees/plants not typical in U.S.
2. Uses metric system
3. very good job of relating Science to student’s world
4. Really gets them thinking vs memorizing
5. Super scientist page that relates to theme
6. Texts/activity guides shockingly thin, one is only 18 pages
Details about the TM:
1. TM for level 3/4 is huge – 544 pages. This contains teaching info for all 5 themes.
2. It starts with two pages that discuss the BSCS 5E instructional model.
3. Then has a detailed theme breakdown, complete with page numbers and activities that relate to each sub heading.
4. There is a gap chart if you’ve used the 1st edition of MPH, it coordinates the two.
5. Next there is an overview of goals for each chapter.
6. Then, a very helpful reading section for the teacher to brush up on the topic. This also has diagrams, pictures, and charts. It’s roughly 10 pages long.
7. Lesson plans follow. These are really good. The top has essential learning points and specific objectives, in addition to the textbook and activity book page numbers. Then there is a section for each of the 5 inquiry strategies. Each of those lists the purpose, resources, and then teaching suggestions. These cover a wide variety of skills and activities, from problem solving, to making charts, doing experiments, drawing/labeling, games, writing assignments, challenging them to design things, going to websites, etc.
8. Next is the text section. I wouldn’t use this as the actual text for several reasons, it’s only about half of the size of the actual text, the pictures are not as clear, and there are a lot of teacher’s aids surrounding the text that would distract the child. So it shows the page from the student text, it also includes the answers to any questions in the side margin. At the top it gives the teacher more background information for that page and has enrichments to challenge advanced students further. The very first enrichment for 3rd, takes classifying things up a notch to binary number systems, multi-stage classification systems, and serial order systems.
9. Then is the activity book section, this gives the teacher tips and has the answers printed on the answer space.
10. It’s perfect bound, I would prefer spiral bound so it would open flat.
I am finding the TM cumbersome to use because information relating to each day could be found in 4 different areas of the book. Add to that, the book doesn't open flat, so I find myself wrestling with it while flipping back and forth trying to gather my thoughts. I do not enjoy pulling together or planning lessons, thus I resorted back to using the student text and activity book. This method is open and go.
My Pals are Here Science book details:
Grade 3
Diversity (36 lessons)
Cycles (26 lessons)
Grade 4
Systems (20 lessons)
Interactions (13 lessons)
Energy (22 lessons)
Using the student text and activity book a typical day would be a 2 page text spread and activity page. The text contains questions, explore and building block activities in addition to a “scientist page”, which we will use to write a paragraph about each scientist. The activity book has hands on projects, questions, areas for drawings, charts to be completed, and a “my notes” reflection area. Two days per week would be plenty to complete within a typical school year. You could do more if you are wanting to "catch up".
We are doing the 2 page spread/1 activity 5 days a week. Now that I've put the TM aside, ds (almost 9) is enjoying it and asking to "please do more" and even peaking ahead to see what we're doing the next day. We'll continue this pace so he finishes the 3rd grade level in 3rd. Next year I'm pondering doing Singapore MPH 3 days and pulling PH SE topics the other 2 days (because I have them, Singapore doesn't include Earth science, and I like both programs).
1. Some spelling, wording, and trees/plants not typical in U.S.
2. Uses metric system
3. very good job of relating Science to student’s world
4. Really gets them thinking vs memorizing
5. Super scientist page that relates to theme
6. Texts/activity guides shockingly thin, one is only 18 pages
Details about the TM:
1. TM for level 3/4 is huge – 544 pages. This contains teaching info for all 5 themes.
2. It starts with two pages that discuss the BSCS 5E instructional model.
3. Then has a detailed theme breakdown, complete with page numbers and activities that relate to each sub heading.
4. There is a gap chart if you’ve used the 1st edition of MPH, it coordinates the two.
5. Next there is an overview of goals for each chapter.
6. Then, a very helpful reading section for the teacher to brush up on the topic. This also has diagrams, pictures, and charts. It’s roughly 10 pages long.
7. Lesson plans follow. These are really good. The top has essential learning points and specific objectives, in addition to the textbook and activity book page numbers. Then there is a section for each of the 5 inquiry strategies. Each of those lists the purpose, resources, and then teaching suggestions. These cover a wide variety of skills and activities, from problem solving, to making charts, doing experiments, drawing/labeling, games, writing assignments, challenging them to design things, going to websites, etc.
8. Next is the text section. I wouldn’t use this as the actual text for several reasons, it’s only about half of the size of the actual text, the pictures are not as clear, and there are a lot of teacher’s aids surrounding the text that would distract the child. So it shows the page from the student text, it also includes the answers to any questions in the side margin. At the top it gives the teacher more background information for that page and has enrichments to challenge advanced students further. The very first enrichment for 3rd, takes classifying things up a notch to binary number systems, multi-stage classification systems, and serial order systems.
9. Then is the activity book section, this gives the teacher tips and has the answers printed on the answer space.
10. It’s perfect bound, I would prefer spiral bound so it would open flat.
I am finding the TM cumbersome to use because information relating to each day could be found in 4 different areas of the book. Add to that, the book doesn't open flat, so I find myself wrestling with it while flipping back and forth trying to gather my thoughts. I do not enjoy pulling together or planning lessons, thus I resorted back to using the student text and activity book. This method is open and go.
My Pals are Here Science book details:
Grade 3
Diversity (36 lessons)
Cycles (26 lessons)
Grade 4
Systems (20 lessons)
Interactions (13 lessons)
Energy (22 lessons)
Using the student text and activity book a typical day would be a 2 page text spread and activity page. The text contains questions, explore and building block activities in addition to a “scientist page”, which we will use to write a paragraph about each scientist. The activity book has hands on projects, questions, areas for drawings, charts to be completed, and a “my notes” reflection area. Two days per week would be plenty to complete within a typical school year. You could do more if you are wanting to "catch up".
We are doing the 2 page spread/1 activity 5 days a week. Now that I've put the TM aside, ds (almost 9) is enjoying it and asking to "please do more" and even peaking ahead to see what we're doing the next day. We'll continue this pace so he finishes the 3rd grade level in 3rd. Next year I'm pondering doing Singapore MPH 3 days and pulling PH SE topics the other 2 days (because I have them, Singapore doesn't include Earth science, and I like both programs).