nmoira?? or anyone; about Galore Park Science

[paulcindy]

Nmoira.

I saw your psot on this series from Galore Park:

Followed by:
So You Really Want to Learn Science Book 1 (http://www.galorepark.co.uk/product/home_schoolers/56/so-you-really-want-to-learn-science-book-1.html) (mostly a quick review by this point)
So You Really Want to Learn Science Book 2 (http://www.galorepark.co.uk/product/home_schoolers/70/so-you-really-want-to-learn-science-book-2.html)

I looked into these, and I love the looks of them. Thed website says it takes two years per book? Is this true?

Have you actually used these books yet? Does the second book build on the other? And do you need the CD for it?

I have a 10 yo daughter who loves, loves Science. And I have not found anything except these that seem to excite her, other then the other series you recommended, especially the Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tsunami's from Amazon.

Thank you!!

[nmoira]

I saw this after responding to your post on the curriculum board. No, we haven't used SYRWTLS yet, though Jenny in Atl's oldest has. I have been through the books though, and I'm generally pleased. It's a solid overview prior to high school science. The two volumes share a similar organization with three sections (Life, Materials, and Physical Processes), and most topics introduced in Book 1 are significantly expanded upon in Book 2. Book 1 could probably be done in a year, while Book 2 could easily cover two, especially if you supplement with hands on projects.

I wasn't impressed enough with the sample pages on the CD's for the price to seem reasonable. If I were to have an order with HorribleBooks.com which happened to coincide with a fantastic sale at Galore Park, I'd consider getting the one for Book 2. The Answer Books are worth purchasing though, as they do give some explanation as to why this or that answer is the correct one.

[paulcindy]

Nmoira

Thank you for your help.

How old is your child?

Which series are you using first with your child? The series from Amazon, or the series from Galore Park?

My daugher will be in Grade "6" this year. She will be 11 in September.

Thank you:)

[Spy Car]

:lurk5:


I feel like I'm following you around and lurking on your threads Cindy, but you're asking questions that interest me greatly :001_smile:

Bill

[Laura Corin]

Nmoira.

I looked into these, and I love the looks of them. Thed website says it takes two years per book? Is this true?


When it says 6/7 it means that you could use it in year 6 or 7 (US grades 5 or 6), as different schools might be going at different rates, so might use the book earlier or later. I'm sure you could do it over two years if you wanted to.

I haven't used the science books myself.

Laura

[nmoira]

How old is your child?

Which series are you using first with your child? The series from Amazon, or the series from Galore Park?

My daugher will be in Grade "6" this year. She will be 11 in September.

Thank you:)
DD the Elder is 7. I'm planning to work through the Amazon books and The Elements and Carbon Chemistry before moving to the Galore Park materials. Pacing and sequence will be up to her.

[nmoira]

When it says 6/7 it means that you could use it in year 6 or 7 (US grades 5 or 6), as different schools might be going at different rates, so might use the book earlier or later. I'm sure you could do it over two years if you wanted to.

I haven't used the science books myself.

Laura
This is true, but Galore Park did design Science Book 2 with the assumption that it would be used over two years.

[Spy Car]

Not to drag the thread off-topic, but looking at the first sample PDF I find this image. And I wonder is this just "hip" and "of the moment" (if the moment was 25 years ago) or if it's just perpetuating stereotypes that are not much different than the images of yore.

This, and showing a box of synthetic fertilizer as plant food, make me start wondering about the judgement of the author and publisher. Am I wrong?

Bill

[nmoira]

Not to drag the thread off-topic, but looking at the first sample PDF I find this image. And I wonder is this just "hip" and "of the moment" (if the moment was 25 years ago) or if it's just perpetuating stereotypes that are not much different than the images of yore. It's more like 10-12 years ago... Scary Spice. There is one classification exercise in which presumably the student is being asked to sort with subsections of race (with a poorly drawn Chinese man and a woman with gravity defying and barely covered cleavage). The worst stereotype is the cartoon goth girl with a cigarette on the *These things are harmful!!!!* page.

This, and showing a box of synthetic fertilizer as plant food, make me start wondering about the judgement of the author and publisher. Am I wrong?There's one mention of fertiliser in Book 1, and in the context of house plants. Book 2 discusses fertiliser, decomposition and decomposers, the carbon and nitrogen cycles, pollution from fertilisers and its effects, and the manufacture of fertlisers (in the chemistry section).

[Spy Car]

It's more like 10-12 years ago... Scary Spice. There is one classification exercise in which presumably the student is being asked to sort with subsections of race (with a poorly drawn Chinese man and a woman with gravity defying and barely covered cleavage). The worst stereotype is the cartoon goth girl with a cigarette on the *These things are harmful!!!!* page.

I was thinking the ladies in Shaft or Cleopatra Jones :lol:

I'm trying not to get weird about it (honest :D) but I've always thought of the Galore Park books as my "safe port in a storm" and it pains me to think I'm going to have to scrutinize their materials too. Sigh!

There's one mention of fertiliser in Book 1, and in the context of house plants. Book 2 discusses fertiliser, decomposition and decomposers, the carbon and nitrogen cycles, pollution and from fertilisers and its effects, and the manufacture of fertlisers (in the chemistry section).

So there is hope? :001_smile:

Bill

[nmoira]

I was thinking the ladies in Shaft or Cleopatra Jones :lol:You're dating yourself there, Bill. :tongue_smilie:

[Laura Corin]

This is true, but Galore Park did design Science Book 2 with the assumption that it would be used over two years.

I might be using it later - did they tell you why it's a two-year book?

Laura

[nmoira]

I might be using it later - did they tell you why it's a two-year book?That it is a two year classroom program is mentioned in the product description. Between the text -- 450 pages and relatively dense -- and the 100 or so experiments and projects on the classroom teachers' CD, there's a lot of material to cover.

[Shawna in Texas]

Although I mostly lurk, I can answer this question.

We finished Book 1 in November and my dd(10) loved it. We started it when she was 9. She had a little bit of a hard time on the life section, but I think it wasn't because of content, it was more forming her answers in a science notebook (if that makes sense).

We took December (07) off and finished the last two sections by the end of November. It took us about a year and two months to do the first book, but we were learning to be more efficient at schooling with a baby.

We are doing Great Source Earth Science right now, but when we finish this, we will begin Book 2. I would like the CD, but without a really good deal, it's not happening.

I also have tests typed up that I gave dd at the end of each section. She has them in her intricate web of folders on her mac, but I can have her hunt them down if you would like.

[paulcindy]

Although I mostly lurk, I can answer this question.

We just finished Book 1 and my dd(10) loved it. We started it when she was 9. She had a little bit of a hard time on the life section, but I think it wasn't because of content, it was more forming her answers in a science notebook (if that makes sense).

We took December off and finished the last two sections by the end of November. It took us about a year and two months to do the first book, but we were learning to be more efficient at schooling with a baby.

We are doing Great Source Earth Science right now, but when we finish this, we will begin Book 2. I would like the CD, but without a really good deal, it's not happening.

I also have tests typed up that I gave dd at the end of each section. She has them in her intricate web of folders on her mac, but I can have her hunt them down if you would like.

Since we would be starting this series at a 5th/6th grade year, We should definately start with Book 1 this September. But since it does not cover Earth Science(correct?), maybe we could take a break and use the Earthquake,Volacanoes, and Tsunami Book my dd is really interested in.

Yes, why does book 2 take two years?

Oh, and I would love a copy of those tests if you have them, and care to share them with me!!! I would greatly appreciate it!!

Thank you for all of your help:001_smile::001_smile:

[Shawna in Texas]

Since we would be starting this series at a 5th/6th grade year, We should definately start with Book 1 this September. But since it does not cover Earth Science(correct?), maybe we could take a break and use the Earthquake,Volacanoes, and Tsunami Book my dd is really interested in.

Yes, why does book 2 take two years?

Oh, and I would love a copy of those tests if you have them, and care to share them with me!!! I would greatly appreciate it!!

Thank you for all of your help:001_smile::001_smile:


It covers a teeny bit of astronomy. Doing an Earth Science unit before is a good idea, especially with that book.

Book 2 is nearly double the size of Book 1, and from what I understand a bit meatier.

I'll PM you when I find the tests. :001_smile:

[Laura Corin]

It covers a teeny bit of astronomy. Doing an Earth Science unit before is a good idea, especially with that book.


It's called 'physical geography'.

Laura