« We've Created a Monster | Main | I Make a Lousy Jedi »
August 26, 2007
Science
Yes, as I said before, we're using a formal science curriculum. Scary, eh?
I chose Singapore's Interactive Science because, well, it didn't make me run screaming off into the night the way most science programs do. I chose it for Connor, on the premise that 1) middle school was a good time to start into more formal science, and 2) Interactive Science would be challenging, but not overwhelming.
I didn't really expect Aidan to do this course as well. However, I gave him the option of doing science with his little brothers or with his big brother, and he chose the way of running away from school with the little brothers.
Interactive Science is solid. I can't abide fluff in a science program, and this has none. The text itself is written in a lighthearted manner, often with cute pictures that belie the level of the material. We had a bit of a hurdle at first, because the first few chapters are very math-heavy: unit conversions, calculating the volume of various objects, calculating area, finding rate and speed, etc. The math is right at Connor's level, but I had to teach Aidan (not a big deal, as he picks up math concepts quickly). But being math-heavy, I was afraid the boys would be bored. They're not. Go figure.
The experiments are good. Again, no fluff. So far we've covered lab safety, learned how to safely boil water in a test tube, used water to calculate volume, and observed what happens to the oscillation of a pendulum when you add weight, or change the length of the string (pendulum = ball on the end of a string). We've also tested individual reaction times, and calculated averages of said times. Next we're going to do the unit on speed and rate.
The experiments are meant for a classroom with a fully equipped science lab, so we have to do some finagling. Some labs we will have to skip altogether, but we can still read through the instructions and discuss possible outcomes. Others are easy: We don't have the materials a science lab would use to measure speed, but we do have Hot Wheels cars, and a piece of wood for a ramp. The experiments clearly demonstrate the text material, and are always relevant.
However, on top of all that, the text asks students to think. For instance, after a reading on volume and displacement, the students were asked how they might find the volume of a cork (which floats on water). Ah, problem solving!
Much attention is giving to different ways of measuring and calculating, so that the students can compare methods and find which is most accurate.
It is good stuff. I plan on moving slowly, and supplementing with lots of library books for topics we have never delved into before.
Because I am insane, we are also doing some of the experiments from The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments. So far all we've done has been th lesson on bending and glazing glass tubing. Both Connor and Aidan managed to burn themselves by touching the glass when it was hot. I was feeling pretty frustrated about having boys who were not smart enough to not touch the hot glass, until I did it myself. Well. Would any of you like to come by and handle lab safety for us when we get to the dangerous chemicals bits?
Posted by lynx at August 26, 2007 9:48 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.caerdroia.org/MT/mt-tb.cgi/2522
Comments
I haven't been thrilled w/ my science choice this year but plan to finish the semester...I'm looking ahead to next semester though. Except the burns (hope they've healed!) I think this sounds great! What age/grade level are Connor & Aidan?
Lee (from the WTM board)
Posted by: my5wolfcubs at August 29, 2007 12:10 PM
I had a microbiology class last semester (junior level), where making and using "hockey sticks" from glass rods is a standard technique (used to evenly inoculate a plate with a liquid culture). We all, at some point, grabbed a hot glass rod. We are so used to being able to see the wire inoculating loops as hot but unfortunately, glass looks the same, hot or not, so it just doesn't register.
Posted by: angie at August 29, 2007 11:38 PM
Oh, that's good. I feel less stupid. For the boys. For me, no, I actually *took the glass out of the fire and touched it.* Immediately. Because somehow my brain was not registering that whole "fire - hot" thing.
Lee, they're 11.5 and 9.5 (beginning 6th and 4th grades). And both very science-minded kids.
Posted by: Stephanie at August 30, 2007 9:40 PM