A question about Science in Preparing

[Diana]

Hello, this is my first time posting on this board, but this will be our 4th year of using Heart of Dakota (and we have LOVED it!). We started with Little Hearts for His Glory for kindergarten for my son, and will be using Preparing for his 3rd grade year. My question is about the science. Last year we used BJU's Science 2 program because I felt the science in Bigger was a little light. I did like the BJU program, but would love to just stick with HOD and with the Charlotte Mason approach to learning. But I think that's what's making me nervous when it comes to science! BJU is more of the typical classroom curriculum, and HOD is not. I'm nervous my son won't learn enough about science with the CM approach. So for any of you who have used HOD for science, how have your children responded? Do you feel they are missing out on anything with this approach? Are they learning enough to keep them on track for standardized testing? It also seems that science in Preparing is largely done independently (which I like because I am due with my third child at the end of September). I do believe my son would be ok with this, but it just seems wrong compared to using a "typical" science curriculum last year (and compared to my own years in public school growing up!!)!!!! Please ease my fears! Anyone who can offer any of their experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

Diana

[mrsrandolph]

I understand your concern, but rest assured! The science in each guide gets more complicated. My oldest is finishing up Res to Ref right now, and the science is just right. As you will notice, in Preparing, they begin to see them doing actual experiments. The experiments grow and REALLY grow into kits in Rev 2 Rev. I totally trust Carrie with the education of my children. She is one sharp, well educated lady.

With the CM style, it is a marathon, not a sprint.

[LynnH]

I am a Physical Therapist so I had tons of traditional science growing up and I can tell you that the science in Preparing, CTC, RTR,REV to REV and MTMM is much more interesting and engaging than textbook science. The dc aren't just learning a bunch of random facts and dates that don't really connect. The CM method of science presents things in a vibrant, living way that students can relate to and find interesting. They are making their own drawings and notebook pages which makes things much easier to remember than if they just study a chart in a book. Also they read books that bring the people to life, so instead of just reading a sentence about Pasteur and his discoveries they learn all about him and how many challenges he faced and why he was motivated to do what he did. The student discovers character traits in the inventors that enabled them to persevere despite many failures. The also learn that many scientists were Christians, which gives them the truth when people like Bill Nye will tell them that no true scientists were Christians.

For Preparing specifically the One Small Square Books present the different ecosystems in an interesting and colorful way. When they study the Find the Constellations book they make their own constellation mini book. My son still knows some of the constellations because of studying them this way. The Great Dinosaur Mystery is a great book that presents Dinosaurs from a young earth Christian perspective. They also do an experiment a week and start learning to write lab reports. The great thing about the experiments is that they use things that you have at home.

CM science seems light because it isn't just memorizing dates and facts and regurgitating them back for a test, but honestly how many kids then turn around and forget those facts by the next day? CM science gives the student the same information just in a more enjoyable way. HOD science gets more difficult and challenging each year. By the time the student gets to high school they are fully capable of doing traditional high school level science, and that is what is scheduled. For my son by the time he got to high school instead of being burned out on science and dreading another year of text books, he had a love of science.

As far as standardized test my son isn't a great test taker, but he has done well on the science each year. The only things he misses are things we might not have covered that year, but you will get that with any curriculum.

[lmercon]

Trust Charlotte Mason! My son has done HOD for all his schooling years exactly as written. He is entering the high school guides this year. His understanding of science concepts is strong. The living approach to science by learning about the lives of the scientists adds such dimension to science. Best of all, he loves science. The CM principles really do help create a love and wonder about the world that is often stifled and killed by traditional textbook learning.

[StephanieU]

My oldest is at the same spot as your son, probably very close on age too. We have gone with HOD science with the exception of adding in fun things as time and resources allow (co-op class, museum classes, library books, videos, and snap circuits we own). And Mr daughter has a good grasp of science I think. I read on Jay Wyle's Facebook page last year about how science in the elementary school years is not about knowledge learned. It is about exploring the world and getting a decent grasp on the scientific method. With the lab pages in Bigger and Preparing, they get a good grasp of the scientific method I feel. So any knowledge they retain is icing on the cake! They will learn the facts in middle and high school, and with the CM approach, they are more likely to retain it!

[Diana]

Thank you all so much for your responses and sharing your stories! I feell SO much better going with the science program in Preparing and giving it a shot this year. It really is hard to trust the CM approach for some subjects, when I was taught so differently in my school years. But as some of you said, I don't remember much of it! So perhaps learning science the CM route will give my children a solid understanding and appreciation for science, that I never had from textbook science. I really really appreciate your input, and am now going to cancel my $300 order for the BJU science program and order the science books for Preparing, instead!

Thanks so much!

[my3sons]

Hi Diana! I'm so glad you are going to be enjoying PHFHG's science with your kiddo! I am looking forward to doing PHFHG with my last son this coming year. It is such a fantastic guide - all of it - that we can't wait even though it is my 3rd time teaching it! Here is a past thread I thought you might enjoy reading...

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10832&p=78947#p78947

My children have only ever completed HOD's science. I have a 16 yo who is a junior in high school, a 13 yo who is an 8th grader, and a 9 yo who is a 4th grader. All still love science, all are thriving in science, and all standardize test well in science. But what I care about the most, is our Creator is at the center of science with HOD. He is not left out, but is glorified and recognized as awesome! Whether it is through the science resources chosen, or through the Bible connections Carrie includes, our Lord is glorified through HOD's science. That is an incredible blessing! I hope you enjoy PHFHG as much as we have through the years and as much as we will be enjoying it this coming school year!

In Christ,
Julie