Comments on: Resource roundup: K12 science

By: April

April — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:06:37 +0000

K-12 is 100% free where I live. Nevada, check your state. April

By: Nan in Mass

Nan in Mass — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:51:31 +0000

I think that “demonstration science”, as you so aptly called it, works because it makes students curious, and curiosity is necessary to being a scientist. Once, during the grammar stage, I complained to a chemist on TWTM boards that chemistry was boring . She said I was doing it all wrong – I was making my children do the experiments themselves when I should be making the experiments into magic tricks for them. Doing the demonstrations for them seems counterintuitive, but it worked beautifully. It created a desire to learn the principle behind the demonstration. Saying “Wow! How did you do that!” is much better than just following directions.
-Nan in Mass

By: Nan in Mass

Nan in Mass — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:01:15 +0000

Another thought about why science is difficult-
You’ve probably already thought about this, but just in case…
I think science is a subject which doesn’t fit very well into the grammar/logic/rhetoric formula. In most subjects, it isn’t possible to memorize all the facts and skills in elementary school, learn all the reasons and connections in middle school, and then JUST use the facts and skills to do original work in high school, because one doesn’t do the grammar and logic stages as a grownup, fully able to understand the more complex facts and concepts. In high school, one has to continue to learn the complex facts at the same time as one does original work. Could it be that the problem with science is that there is a larger body of complex facts and concepts that needs to be learned and this is more separate from the applying/original work of science than in other subjects? They are both so time consuming that they don’t both fit in a science period. Doing lab work (being a scientist) also has its body of fact/reason learning, like using the lab equipment, which is why even at the community college level, it is difficult to find the time to actually do some science. But maybe I’m way off in my reasoning?
-Nan

By: Laura Brain

Laura Brain — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:13:06 +0000

Lukeion Project has Latin and Greek lukeion.org My nearly 15 yr old is taking Latin through them… the class moves at a fast pace, but he’s keeping up.

By: Sebastian (a lady)

Sebastian (a lady) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:02:21 +0000

What about Oklahoma State University? Or programs from countries where the language is spoken (ex. Goethe Institute for German).

By: Angie (WI)

Angie (WI) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:55:23 +0000

If you come across good, rigorous foreign language correspondence/online classes, could you please share? I have used Keystone and University of Nebraska – Lincoln with my high schoolers, and they’re both *way* too easy.

By: Strawberry Queen

Strawberry Queen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:20:49 +0000

Thanks for all of these comments and the recommendation of a program. I have 2dd’s and my 2nd is definitely science oriented. She’s only in 2nd grade so I have a bit of time to figure things out. My other dd will do science but doesn’t think about it:) The struggle I have is how to talk about things that just aren’t in my make-up. I can have physics explained to me (as well as read about it) again and again but it just doesn’t stick. I’m sure my sweet girl will be running circles around me soon:) I can figure out the biology aspect but she is inclined to engineering and chemistry.

I don’t have much to add to the discussion as I haven’t had to think through many of these things yet. I might default to having her do a course from a good teacher, I even know one who teaches HS. My other option is to have her explore, have her father challenge her in discussions and to eventually take just the 30 level courses in school to get the course she needs for university.

Maybe by the time she’s in high school there will be some really quality online courses that don’t cost $$$$$.

By: leslie

leslie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:15:09 +0000

I also have three teenage boys. I think yours and mine are almost the same ages. We have used our local Christian school for science classes. They let the boys take just one or two classes and do sports there.
Another great option my youngest is using now is Veritas Press Scholars program. http://resources.veritaspress.com/Scholars_Online/Scholars_Online_Main.html
He is taking their Physical Science and is very good so far -a live class twice a week and homework the other days.

By: Colleen in NS

Colleen in NS — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:07:21 +0000

Jenn, your post is really helpful to me. You have just given me a little bit more understanding about some things for me to think about, with regards to high school science. I’ve got a science/math oriented boy. Thank you.

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:13:28 +0000

Please do list this as a resource. It is something I will probably try with my eighth grader next year. I usually set aside more money for the older kids and for science and math courses.