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We recently started A Book of Firsts where you record any 'first' thing that occurs naturally. For example we saw the first robin of the season on the fence a week ago so recorded the date in the March section. The purpose is to see nature's cycles. I would even write in 'first tooth lost'... Then we learn to look, notice and celebrate more.
Also, I've gone back to simply following the days of creation as a guide. It is a simple way to learn science. Day one light. Day two water. (we've only gotten that far! Many rabbit trails to follow...) Lots of spiritual connections too worth noting. Christ as light. All the parables and events with water and water's significance - Christ as living water... I've even taken the biblical account of creation and turned into a choral reading for 2 voices or groups so it is fun and hides God's word in our hearts at the same time - not to mention working on listening to one another and recitation.
We have been enjoying: Natural Science through the Seasons by James A. Partridge.
This curriculum was originally published in 1955 by an Ontario Elementary School Science teacher. He goes through the entire year, by season, studying natural science.
Pros
It works well with a Charlotte Mason approach because I can read the lesson to the children, we can experience/explore it hands on, and they can narrate (oral or written) what they've learned and/or draw in their natural journals, etc...
The lesson activities at the end of each unit are broken down for the various grades between K and 8. Very condusive for families with multi-level learners.
There are twelve monthly calendars that identify things to be noticing in nature. Because he was an Ontario teacher, the birds and other natural phenomenon actually exist in our region and happen in the season talked about (unlike US curriculum). We print out the calendars, frame them and refer to them throughout the month to pay attention to what's going on in our natural world.
Much of it is really practical knowledge that every child should know, and children of old did know, but children today do not. For example: how plants and animals prepare for winter, animal trails and tracking, finding out about air, the sun, the wind, from seeds to plants, the moon phases, etc...
Although it's geared for a classroom, it is very adaptable for a homeschool setting. Also, you can go walk outdoors, to the park, nearby forest and observe what he's talking about. No big field trips required.
The book was recently re-published. For years homeschoolers have scoured used bookstores for old copies, which are usually musty and very small. This makes blowing up the monthly calendars tricky and rather smelly each time it's opened! The newly published version is 9 x 11 and much easier to use!
It can be used as a reference book or a full curriculum (100 units).
Thanks Wendy, the library is a very useful tool indeed. We will be checking these things out.
My boys like Sid the Science Kid as well (from PBS kids) and Zoboomafoo. We will sometimes watch it in French.. I love it when more than one box gets checked (science and languages, and some time for Mama to clean up something or just rest a few minutes hurray).
This morning Gabriel said, "We learned from Cat in the Hat that there are molecules that make up water". This on the heels of me reading the creation account of day 2 and talking about all they know about water. It reminded me of some videos we used/use.
Cat in the Hat Knows All About That (tv series - available at the library. The books are also good.)
Curious George (not the movies - the tv show - which I now borrow from the library)
Peep and the Big Wide World
Magic School Bus (not so keen on the books but the videos are ok)
Earth & Oceans both by Disney Nature (these are full length films - we watch them in sittings)
Bill Nye the Science Guy (I know some use this but Henry does not like how he is so vehemently against Creation so he would rather us not watch him)
Ta! Ta! for now.
Wendy
PS ... if you haven't discovered WordWorld you may want to. : )
Lisa...
I copied this response from my blog - I had written about it a few weeks ago. Here is our learning plan for science/nature study.
NOTE - Along side this plan we use the Christian Liberty Nature Readers which are chuck full of amazing scientific learning. The kids read these to me as their reading aloud practice. There are 5 books in the series which move the kids along in reading skill development. We love these and have learned a great deal.
Science – we will begin our study of science with all things nature. If we understand nature then understanding how humans have harnessed and used nature to further scientific innovation and study will make sense. Our science plan is 4-fold.
Creation Week Science by Dr. Jay Wile – The same Dr. Jay Wile who has co-published much of the well known Apologia science curriculum. Upon parting with Apologia, Dr. Wile produced this science program which I am using in its trial form. I understand that it is now published under the title Science in the Beginning. He is also testing another science program entitled Science in the Ancient World which we will use once finished Creation Week Science. This is scheduled once a week. (I am so-so about this resource after having used it for a while now. I use it primarily as a guide for trajectory of learning. I found some of the experiments required to much stretch conceptually - perhaps some of these things would be changed in the now-published version. I will often pre-read and narrate the concept and we will observe, read a book, or do the experiment if I think it will make sense and not require the kids to jump lots of hoops in their minds to get the idea).
book-box – I keep our book-box stocked with books of all sorts including science books
nature study – we’ve dabbled with nature notebooks and will get into that more once spring approaches. The idea being that we will observe and sketch nature in our surroundings. We are blessed to live on the edge of a park land which includes a wooded area and there is a pond a 10 minute walk away not to mention our backyard. Lots to observe. We will also begin collecting and displaying insects on a spreading board.
independent science learning – as the kids grow they will be asked to engage science learning on their own. I’ve purchased a series of Build It books by Nomad Press which is intended as independent explorations. Gabriel has begun one about Natural Disasters.
