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| Date: From: Subject: | 9/15/2011 11:49:50 AM Home School Legal Defense Association HSLDA's Homeschooling Toddlers to Tweens--Science on a Shoestring |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Thru the Early Years Newsletter September 2011 -- Homeschooling on a Shoestring Spotlight On: Science ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---[ Free e-book from AllAboutReading.com ]--------------------------- The "All About Reading" program begins right when children first become interested in learning to read -- at the preschool and kindergarten age. Click the link below to get "In the Kitchen with the Zigzag Zebra" FREE! http://www.hslda.org/alink.asp?id=307 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friend, In today's economy, aren't we all looking for ways to stretch our homeschool dollars? In last month's newsletter, we introduced this series on homeschooling "on the cheap" with a spotlight on social studies. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12294 This month, let's review a few basics, then highlight some ways to investigate science on a snug budget! What does it cost to homeschool? http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12295 While the average cost is roughly $500 a year per child, this figure usually goes down with subsequent children, since resources can be shared, membership costs are not multiplied, etc. During the four years that we were without a full-time income, I was able to homeschool seven children at a time for less than $100 total in a year, once I had accumulated a few non-consumable resources. It is possible to homeschool with just a Bible and a library card, but most of us will buy at least a few things. You'll want to invest in your core curriculum materials first, then add other items as your budget allows. (See sidebar for more ideas.) How to Save on Textbooks and other Curricular Materials > Borrow or rent books--check with your local support group. > Purchase used books. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12296 Some sources include used curriculum shops, exhibit halls, library sales, support group sales, online swap boards (and of course, the HSLDA Curriculum Market! http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12297 ) > Provide educational "wish lists" to family members for gift-giving occasions. > Use your state's standards of learning as a guide to check out appropriate library books. (Search for Standards of Learning + [Your State]. You are not required to use these standards, but it can give you a starting point.) > Use World Book's http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12298 standards of learning with library books. > Science Scope, Kathryn Stout's Design-a-Study guide to science, helps you identify science concepts and vocabulary to be covered at various levels. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12299 > Use a major textbook publisher's science scope and sequence http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12300 with library books. > Use What Your Child Needs to Know When http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12301 or The Checklist http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12302 (or Teaching Children by Diane Lopez) as a guide to what to teach, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12303 then use library books or living books. (Are you sensing a pattern here that includes library and card?) > Search online for free homeschool ____ (history, geography, civics...). > Laminate your books and answer keys with clear Contact paper for durability. Use Multi-Level Curriculum Use grade-specific materials for each child for skills subjects such as math and language arts, then use multi-level materials for content-area subjects such as science, social studies, character/Bible, art, health, etc, working with all of your children together, to economize on time and money! Here are a few suggestions for materials that are designed for or easily adapted for multi-level use: > Great Science Adventures series http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12304 > Christian Kids Explore Science series http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12305 > Science in the Creation Week--All the science studies are outlined in the first chapter of Genesis! From Day 1 (light and energy) to Day 6 (land animals and human biology), this hands-on curriculum focuses on science within the context of the Creation Week. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12306 > Considering God's Creation http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12307 > God's Design for Science series (Answers in Genesis)-- set includes K-8th material in one package (When you look at the price, remember that it is an eight-year program.) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12308 > Konos curriculum http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12309 > Five in a Row http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12310 > Student of the Word http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12311 > Beautiful Feet guides http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12312 > Daily Bread http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12313 > Heart of Wisdom http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12314 > Tapestry of Grace http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12315 > Valerie Bendt's Unit Studies Made Easy http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12316 > Scope and Sequence--Check out the scope and sequence info from your favorite publisher and use that as a springboard, utilizing library books. Or use your favorite textbook itself as a tool, teaching to the level of the oldest child. Learn more about teaching to multiple levels http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12317 Everyday Activities for "Science on a Dime" Science is simply the study of the world that God has made. I agree with Cathy Duffy http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12318 that the best way to teach science for elementary students is not with textbooks but by teaching them to observe, experiment, read, and think about the world surrounding them, utilizing real books and your child's interests. The most effective learning often takes place in the context of everyday living or family activities, and many are free or very inexpensive: > Backyard botany/biology--Grow a seed in a cup or plant a family garden. Learn about the insects that help and harm specific plants in your yard. Study the birds in your neighborhood. What grasses grow? Why do some of your plants thrive and others wilt? Can you name the trees, plants, birds, "visiting" animals, and insects in your yard? > Use field guides--Our family accumulated quite a few field guides, including Audubon guides to weather, butterflies, birds, rocks, mammals, trees, reptiles and amphibians, and others, as well as Golden Guides and Eyewitness Handbooks. (Add these to your gift wish lists for relatives who don't know what to buy your children.) > Raise animals for fun and/or profit. > Nature journals--Teach observation skills, care of nature, and more. I once sent my girls out on a nature walk and they came back with two baby foxes in their arms, so be prepared. We got an impromptu lesson in how the local animal rehab center works! > Animal habitat studies--Why does that groundhog keep coming back? Where does he live? > Weather observation--Besides the standard rain, clouds, and more, our area has recently experience a hurricane and tornado--what inspiration for further research! > Backyard geology-- Examine the dirt composition, do a soil test, study the rock formations. (And lately, you might be interested in the causes and effects of earthquakes.) > Broken appliances--Before you throw these out, are they items your children can disassemble to learn more about the inner workings? > Batteries, flashlights--Learn how the electrical currents work. > Home "lab"-- No fancy laboratory? You do have your kitchen and your backyard or the local park and pond. You may not have a Bunsen burner, but you have a stove. > Food chemistry--Cooking is science! Experiment with melting/freezing/boiling points; solutions; and more. Learn about crystallization in fudge; yeast multiplication, gluten and carbon dioxide development in bread; caramelization. My daughter Rachel wasn't particularly interested in cooking, but was fascinated with the science involved; her studies inspired her to write X+Y=Dinner?, a cookbook to help de-mystify cooking techniques and methods. Hey, a science study that inspires my kids to write and cook is fine with me! > Cars, bicycles, lawn mowers--machines/maintenance, engine repair > Scout handbooks--The older scouting handbooks reflected more conservative family values and include many hands-on activities for all ages. > Camping--Nature studies, survival and safety tips > Extension service--Your local county extension service usually offers 4-H, a Master Gardener program, Junior Master Gardener, as well as classes and pamphlets related to your specific area. > Local clubs, including robotics and other interests > Science and nature museums, observatories, botanical gardens, zoos, farms (Check out the field trips list at Homeschool Buyers Co-op.) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12319 > Everyday curiosity--Why does stuff fall down instead of up? How many babies does a spider have at a time? Why are the clouds different shapes? Why are the stars in different places than they were last month? How does the timer know when to ding? Why is the sky blue? Where does the sun go at night? How does the roller coaster stay on the track? What happens if [fill in the blank]? Google is your friend, as is a good encyclopedia and--you guessed it--a library card! (While you are at the library, look up The NEW Way Things Work by David Macaulay.) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12320 Next month: Low-budget math ideas. Vicki Bentley HSLDA Toddlers thru Tweens consultant www.hslda.org/earlyyears More on Homeschooling on the Cheap: > "Homeschooling on a Shoestring Budget" HSLDA Homeschooling Toddlers thru Tweens http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12321 > "What Does It Cost to Homeschool?" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12295 > "Navigating the Used Curriculum Route" by Vicki Bentley, Practical Homeschooling magazine http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12322 > "What Should I Be Teaching?" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12323 Search for "free homeschool + subject" "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. . . ." Romans 1:20 (NIV) More Science Resources: > "Is Science in Your Homeschool Heading for a Meltdown?" by Jane Hoffman, author of the Backyard Scientist series (article--Crosswalk.com) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12324 > "Making Your Home a Science Manipulative" by Jason Makansi (article--Practical Homeschooling) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12325 > "Fun Holiday Gifts the Scientific Way" by Melissa Pinkley (article--Crosswalk.com) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12326 > "Create Your Own Science Unit" by Pam Maxey (article--Practical Homeschooling) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12327 > Backyard Scientist series by Jane Hoffman (Many of these are now out of print but are worth looking up in used curriculum markets.) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12328 > Janice Van Cleave's science books http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12329 --Check out the Every Kid series (Biology for Every Kid, Astronomy for Every Kid, etc.) for elementary and middle school, and supplement for the preschoolers and primaries with her Let's Play and Find Out science series; often available at your public library. > Answers in Genesis science materials http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12330 > Homeschool Science Experiment & Activity Guide (free) from Supercharged Science http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12331 > Apologia science-- Exploring Creation series for elementary and junior high http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12332 > Timberdoodle science resources http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12333 > Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12334 > Simple Schooling's Journey Through the Solar System--A complete one-semester course for students in grades 5-8 for only $4.99. Ten unit studies; 290 pages. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12335 > Simple Schooling's Let's Learn About Bugs--Unit studies for grades K-8 for 99 cents per weekly unit set. (Purchase each week separately) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12336 > Science in the Creation Week by David Unfred--Seven units correspond to Creation events: senses; light, energy and matter; water and the atmosphere; land and plants; sun, moon and stars; birds and sealife; land animals and humans (introductory physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, and botany) This is not just a book of experiments, but a complete curriculum with text and activities. Designed to be used with children of varying ages (approximately grades 2-5), lessons and activities are categorized by ability, divided into three levels: Explorer, Investigator, Researcher. Adaptable for unit studies; written for one year of study, but could be developed into several years. > Home Science Adventure Kits http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12337 > Christopher Columbus Awards program--A national, community-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for middle school students. The program challenges the students to work in teams of three to four, with an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12338 > Curriculum Resources listing at HSLDA's Homeschooling Toddlers thru Tweens http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12339 HSLDA Essay Contest HSLDA is excited to announce our 10th annual essay contest! This contest is designed to give students the opportunity to develop their writing skills and showcase their talents at the same time. Cash prizes are awarded to the top five entries in each category, and the top essays are posted online. For complete contest details please visit our contest page at: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=12340 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many news articles did you read this morning over your oatmeal? We live in a world where concise information presented at the right time can make a big difference in the outcome of important legislative efforts. Yet it's tough to keep up with all the issues that affect you. HSLDA does this for you in the areas that affect your homeschool. Our emails and website enable you to take quick, decisive action. Please consider becoming a part of this team. 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