Search Results for: blog teaching the scientific method

Ways You Can Contribute to Scientific Research

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Want to do something with your spare time that can help others? Get involved in a “citizen science project”. You don’t need a degree in science (or anything else) in order to participate. Consider contributing to any of the following projects. It has been said that volunteering is good for you. People who volunteer their time and energy to help others experience some benefits themselves. Volunteering is a great way to boost self confidence, to fight depression, and to stay physically healthy. It is also a great way to make new friends. The following science projects need people to help … Continue reading →

Teaching Beauty

What do you think about when you teach science? Do you think that you’re helping children understand the world, methodically and in a practical fashion, going through the families of plants and the different groups of animals? Is science a way of categorizing the world and helping it make sense? Do you think that you’re helping children change the world, creating science experiments that may lead to solutions to global problems? Are your children going to create cures for diseases and reduce the pollution from vehicles? Is science a way into the minds of the past and the great minds … Continue reading →

The Teacher’s Method

Many teachers have specific ways of doing things in the classroom. Some of them read from notes written years ago and expect their students to copy these notes and know them for the test. This is one way of doing things. Other teachers try desperately to entertain their classrooms and be a friend to their students. There are so many teachers I have encountered as a student and the one thing I know for certain is that fighting whatever model your teacher chooses to use it often a losing battle. This is not to say that there aren’t bad teachers … Continue reading →

Sea Monkeys and Teaching the Scientific Method

Anytime you teach science, you should be teaching through the scientific method. First of all, it is the foundation for understanding all other subjects in science. Secondly, it fosters critical thinking skills and finally, I am increasingly convinced that it is becoming a lost art leading to shoddy conclusions. So when my son asked if he could have sea monkeys as his next ‘pet’ after the death of his two beloved turtles, I jumped at the opportunity. It really is a fantastic way to introduce younger kids to the steps in the scientific method. It requires that you follow directions … Continue reading →

Homeschooling Philosophies: The Charlotte Mason Method

There are a variety of home schooling philosophies, ideas about educating children and thoughts about how children learn best. This month, I want to take some time to explore some varying philosophies. I firmly believe that before making a commitment to a particular curriculum, it is worth your effort to explore different philosophies and decide for yourself what will work for your children and your family. Charlotte Mason is interesting in that she readily admitted that her philosophy continuously evolved. She never claimed to have finished writing any book and claimed that she was learning along with her students. She … Continue reading →

Curriculum Choice: Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers

Curriculum: Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers By: Susan Kilbride Format: Softcover book Ages: 4 to 13 Subject: Science Method: Unit study, hands on Free: Click for free science unit studies from the book. Description: If you are a homeschooler or teacher who is looking for fun ideas on how to teach science, then this book is for you! Its hands-on approach is designed to capture students’ interest and promote a love of science and learning. The first ten chapters are for younger children ages 4-7, while the second ten chapters are for children ages 8-13. Each chapter is … Continue reading →

A Review: Real Science 4 Kids

At a glance: Grade level: K-6th Use as: stand alone Instruction time: moderate to high Prep time: moderate to high Perspective: secular but would not conflict with Christian teachings. Real Science 4 Kids covers physics, biology and chemistry for elementary students. The program consists of a teacher’s manual, ten chapter student textbook, and student lab book. Real Science 4 Kids offers a teacher’s manual that consists of all three topics or individual topics. The teacher’s manual is essential to the program. It details the chapters in the student textbook, offers insight and explanations, and gives details for the science experiments. … Continue reading →

Fifth Grade Science Curriculum

Science in fifth deals with life sciences. This is basically plant biology, human cells and body, and earth science as well. In teaching fifth grade science, in my opinion, you will need two books. I suggest your purchase a Grade 5 science textbook or curriculum set and a book on science experiments. While previously I suggested fun ways to learn science through field trips and other fun activities. Beginning in fifth grade to middle school, however, students should start using books more. Subjects your biology books should are: Biological adaptations: Changes in a species due to environmental stress Biotic communities: … Continue reading →

Fourth Grade Science Curriculum

Fourth grade science curriculum focuses on nature, such as plant, weather, pollution, and the earth’s place in the solar system. The following list of lessons was adapted from the list at World Book Encyclopedia. I am adding suggestions you can use to teach these lessons. Scientific method and scientific inquiry: If you saw my previous guides, you know that scientific method and scientific inquiry is taught yearly. For this reason, I feel that it is not necessary to teach this topic in length yearly, but to reinforce what was taught in previous years. Just about every science textbook or resource … Continue reading →

A Review of Eagle’s Wing Curriculums

I have to tell you first that I’m not being paid to write this! When I like products I like to talk about them. I don’t know about you, but I like to hear from other parents what works, what doesn’t and why it did or didn’t work for them. Once upon a time, when I was first starting out, someone told me that they hated Sonlight because it was ‘too flexible, too much reading out loud, and too many stories from other cultures.’ I knew by that comment, that Sonlight was a curriculum I definitely had to check out … Continue reading →