Home is where you start from: Science simplified for the Bridget Jones homeschool mom

Friday, September 17, 2010

Science simplified for the Bridget Jones homeschool mom

Soo, homeschooling 5 kids...I am not super-organized. I'm actually very UN-organized. I keep hoping and praying this will change for me, but so far...no.

Some things have to give a bit...I've decided it's going to be Science. We are strong on Health as Science -I love Abeka Health readers, but the rest...is going to be more exploratory Science. I've realized we can hit Science hard and fast in the High School years (through outside rigorous classes with lab work). So, yeah, that's my plan, and how it's worked itself out.

This year we will be doing a mix of Science mini-unit studies, experiments (easy ones) and educational videos/readings -plus our steady diet of Health readers. (I like those, we just open and read :)

I found this experiment-driven book on Matter by Teacher Created Resources at my local Barnes & Nobles. It is for grades 2-5. It has easy experiments and worksheets to reinforce the lesson. -Be still my beating heart, I am a worksheet girl at heart!

Our first lesson demonstrated that certain kinds of matter can be recognized through the sense of touch, sight, smell, taste or hearing.

My first direction from the book was to pop up a batch of popcorn.
Even I can do that.
Done!

We then discussed/worked through our worksheet together identifying what our different senses told us about the popcorn.

Then we ate our popcorn.

Homeschool = cool school some days. :)

So readers, have you found a great Science curriculum or resource? Share in the comments, please!

Labels: homeschool, science

posted at 7:26 PM
13 comments

13 Comments:

At 7:56 PM, Theresa said...: I am a worksheet girl at heart too! I just love those popcorn days.
At 7:57 PM, Anonymous said...: I might have to check this out. My kids are all for hands on stuff, and if it is edible, so much the better!
At 8:10 PM, From The Heart Online said...: Hi! Just came across your blog through Mommy Moment's great FB question :) Nice to meet you, fellow homeschooler!

Well ... mine are considerably younger, (3 and 4 yrs old), but they're learning and I intend to homeschool so ...

Anyway, nice to meet you! Stop by sometime!

-Kim
At 8:20 PM, Hen Jen said...: Theresa,

it's funny, I am a literature driven, unit study/unschooler/Montessori type homeschooler in philosophy, but I love, love worksheets and feel like the information is not "cemented" until we do one.
must be either my teaching style or my learning style or both :)
At 8:22 PM, Hen Jen said...: bearhavenmama,

I see a few that are edible, but all the chapters have to do with your senses, so they are tangible. I love hands on stuff- but only when they are easy to set up, too many steps/materials to gather-buy, and I lose my focus.

thanks for commenting :)
At 9:04 PM, Elaine said...: I am totally with you about the worksheets. Something in me just feels like they have to be done before it really counts?! Must of been the week of matter. We talked about it also during science!
At 4:16 PM, Kim Bauer said...: Hi Jenn,

Science is our favorite program this year. I am using supercharged science by Aurora Lipper.

I found it a couple of years ago. It is experiment based which gets your kids really excited but then it has all the "book learning", and quizzes you need to feel like it is complete.

I have been thrilled with this program. Kids of any age can do it, so with you having 5 in different grades, it would work great for you.

We still need to get together, so I can tell you more about it then, but here is a link for you.

http://www.sciencelearningspace.com/members/go.php?r=3634&i=l3
At 5:49 PM, Karen Sue said...: one of my favorite activities in preschool was pudding painting! I love to eat my work!!
At 7:49 PM, Hen Jen said...: Kim-From the heart online,

so glad you came by, I love meeting new friends! Good luck with your homeschool adventure, you'll love it!
At 7:50 PM, Hen Jen said...: Elaine,

Exactly!- I don't feel like the learning is 'done' until we do a worksheet or something...

funny that you were doing matter this week, too!
At 7:51 PM, Hen Jen said...: Kim B-

thanks for the Science recommend, I will check it out! :)
yes, I'd love to meet you in real life sometime!
At 7:52 PM, Hen Jen said...: Karen Sue,

pudding painting...yum!
At 12:46 PM, Unknown said...: Great science lesson. I'm following from Hip Homeschool Hop.

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