Science suggestions, please

[Truscifi]

We followed the path suggested in WTM this year and learned about animals, plants, and the human body from kid friendly reference books. Ds loved it, and by combining that experience with tons of Animal Planet (he is only allowed 2 shows a day and they are ALWAYS Animal Planet) he can now spout a truly astonishing number of facts.

But none of this has given him any experience in practical science, such as doing experiments, or observing and recording data. We have done small experiments on our own, so I am trying to give him an idea of the proper format for an experiment, but it's not really my strong point. I want to continue the WTM science path and do earth science and astronomy this year, and I'll probably use the reference books, but I'd like something more hands on as well. Any suggestions for hands on science/experiments - especially in earth science?

Oh, Ds is 5, he is pretty advanced in most academic areas, but is still developing logical thinking skills. And is emotionally still 5.

Thanks for any suggestions, I'm all ears :bigear:

[WendyK]

http://www.pandiapress.com/earth_space_level1.htm

You might like this.

[KAR120C]

One series you might like is what's available from Singapore... and if his math is up to it, you might try the 3rd-6th grade series. It's in the 2nd edition now, so my 1st ed. experience might not be so helpful... but when we used it, I found it excellent for critical thinking and light on content (not a lot of different topics each year, and not a ton of facts). They seem to have gone one farther on that and now offer books by topic rather than by year... but it looks like much the same topics that were there anyway. The activity books have experiments/ demonstrations, and at least in the last edition we didn't have any trouble getting the materials we needed for them.

We did run these to coincide with the corresponding levels of Singapore Primary Math, which is why I asked about his math ability... It doesn't come up all the time, but there were points where the math level was assumed. There are 1st and 2nd grade books that you might like. I've not used them but I have a friend who says they're great. I think they do tend to repeat what's in the 3rd and 4th books though, since IIRC the national curriculum in Singapore doesn't start science formally until then.

I should say it's not earth science at all... in fact none of the Singaporean science books are earth science (I've been told they do it separately as "Physical Geography", which makes perfect sense - it just wasn't where I was looking for it!) but it is a fairly light schedule of work... you could double it up with something with more earth science content and probably not find yourself overextended at all.

Hope this helps!

[Truscifi]

Pandia Press looks like a great site. And I had not considered anything from Singapore but the math, but I will definitely look into them. He is on a 2nd grade math level, and we are starting Singapore math next year anyway, so adding the science may be a good fit. Thanks for your help!

[Truscifi]

Ok, I looked for physical geography and couldn't find it anywhere. If you remember where you found it, please let me know. Or, even better, post the link if you have it!

[Mommy2BeautifulGirls]

However, we are going to do life science again since it will cover more than I did on my own this year.

[Donna]

We followed the path suggested in WTM this year and learned about animals, plants, and the human body from kid friendly reference books. Ds loved it, and by combining that experience with tons of Animal Planet (he is only allowed 2 shows a day and they are ALWAYS Animal Planet) he can now spout a truly astonishing number of facts.

But none of this has given him any experience in practical science, such as doing experiments, or observing and recording data. We have done small experiments on our own, so I am trying to give him an idea of the proper format for an experiment, but it's not really my strong point. I want to continue the WTM science path and do earth science and astronomy this year, and I'll probably use the reference books, but I'd like something more hands on as well. Any suggestions for hands on science/experiments - especially in earth science?

Oh, Ds is 5, he is pretty advanced in most academic areas, but is still developing logical thinking skills. And is emotionally still 5.

Thanks for any suggestions, I'm all ears :bigear:

How about some experiments over the summer using a garden (bean sprouts grow quickly and you can eat them on a salad when finished)...even if it is in containers inside? Have him plant some seed then put some in a bright sunny place with water and plants food (controls), some in a closet, don't water some, no plant food in others, etc... You can make him a chart where he can record when they sprout then each day measure their growth. Make graphs recording growth, talk about variables/controls in experiments/hypothesis/etc...

I found earth science to be the most difficult for me to come up with experiments for. We did track the moons' phases, classified rock samples, built a volcano, and things like that. We also have a telescope so used that for observation. Earth/space science is my least favorite...but then again I am a biology major. LOL

[Truscifi]

Donna -

I like the bean sprout idea. I was already planning on doing the volcano, and I have been trying to find a second hand telescope (no luck so far). I have a friend who runs a store that sells various types of rocks, and I think she would be willing to spend a day teaching him about classifying different types of rocks. I'm trying to get creative this year, instead of relying just on books!

[KAR120C]

Ok, I looked for physical geography and couldn't find it anywhere. If you remember where you found it, please let me know. Or, even better, post the link if you have it!
In fact, I don't think I've seen it anywhere -- we've got a US text for Earth Science (although I only have it so we can do a quick pass through -- I don't mean to use it for a whole year.... and I don't know that I'd recommend it young, just because it's a little dry... but it's the Prentice Hall Science Explorer if you wanted to take a look).

If I turn up the Singaporean Physical Geography I'll let you know... now I'm curious! :)

[USDGAL]

We follow WTM suggestions and while I agree that there are not very many experiments earlier it does egin to pick up. Did you get the More Mudpies to Magnets. The experiments are pretty basic, but my dc built a Volcano, learned about water pessure, made a model of our Solar system, went star gazing with dad, and visited some aquariums and tide pools in San Diego. i believe we also did a container garden, and planted a seed in a millk container with one side cut off and covered with plastic wrap. This allowed him to see the seed as it grew into a plant. We watched a lot of Nova on PBS (1 hour a week) and he had a real ball. Ten comes Chemesty, even more experiments.

Also, check your library. A lot of them have books with science experiment ideas. When I couldn't think of one for the topic we were on I checked on line for ideas.

Danielle

[Truscifi]

I have seen Mudpies to Magnets, but had not decided whether or not to get it. That may help solve my problem. I'm not looking for a lot of complicated experiments, just enough to show him the general purpose and format of experiments. Pandia also seems like it may fill that need.

[JABarney]

http://www.pandiapress.com/earth_space_level1.htm

You might like this.


We used this after spending the first half of the year "on our own". We all loved it. It was fun and it can be as challenging as you want.

[Mommy22alyns]

We're using the Pandia Press Earth/Space for next year too. I plan to add in a lot of reading, but you can just keep it experiment-heavy for your 5 yo. ;)

[Corraleno]

Ok, I looked for physical geography and couldn't find it anywhere. If you remember where you found it, please let me know. Or, even better, post the link if you have it!

These guys sell the Singapore Geography curriculum for 7th-10th grades, but there are no sample chapters, no TOC, and no way to know what's in them:
http://www.sgbox.com/singaporegeography.html

Jackie