Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016: Exploring Our World, How We Do Social Studies and Life/Earth Science

Social Studies and Science are typically done together as a family, with a few small exceptions.

I’ll start with the exceptions:

C (my 4th grader) does some online history each morning with Veritas Press Self Paced History, which (by the way) is on sale right now for 50% off and it can be deferred to start as late as September 1st!  This is our 2nd year using Veritas Press, he LOVES it!  We are using Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation this year and will be using Ancient History next year (probably New Testament, Greece and Rome because I don’t think we can fit both into one year). 

*You can get it on sale at the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op (and earn 500 Smart Points) or at the Veritas Website until the 21st.  It’ good for one year from start date.  (Though I’m not sure you can defer the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op purchase).

Z (1st grade) receives a subscription box to Little Passports (World Edition) each month, and is also taking an Around the World in 8 days class at co-op. 

c (PreK) receives a subscription box to Little Passports also, but he receives the Early Explorer's Edition.

My kids also enjoy Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr!  These are also available for a discount at Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op. They include social studies and science videos, as well as other subjects.  My kids have honestly learned so much from these! 

History:

Together we use Pandia Press History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 1 for History, we will also be using the same next year, except Ancient History and my oldest will be using Level 2.  We supplement a little with videos we find that correspond to the lessons.  We listen to SOTW in the car a lot, it’s great for schooling on the go!

Earth and Life Science:

Last year we did Earth Science and Astronomy, we used Elemental Science, but we decided it wasn’t really for us.  It’s a great program, lots of experiments, it just didn’t work for us.   When we visit it again next year we will use Pandia Press  R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey.  We are using them next year for Life Science (we have used it previously too).  It’s a great program!  We will use it in conjunction with Visual Learning Systems Digital Online Science this time though, which will help raise it up a level for C, who will be in 5th grade.

Pandia Press is also having a sale this month 25% off everything in store, no codes needed!

We also utilize You Tube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Steaming and Hulu a lot into our studies.  My kids are audio and visual learners, so these types of programs, plus lots of books helps them learn a lot! 

History and Science are our 2 favorite subjects, and I think the curriculum is a lot of the reason WHY! 

Linking up at the Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016

This year the Virtual Curriculum Fair is hosted by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World, Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses and Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset.

Yvie @ Gypsy Road - Bringing It to Life! History, Geography, & Science

Jen Altman @ Chestnut Grove Academy - Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016: Exploring Our World, How We Do Social Studies and Life/Earth Science

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World - Learning About the World Around Us

Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses - Social Studies a Science of Relations

Lisa @ GoldenGrasses - Exploring & Discovering Around the World

Annette @ A Net In Time - Science and Culture Around the World and at Home

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break - Exploring History and Geography

Laura @ Four Little Penguins - Going Around the World at Our Kitchen Table

Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory - Our Tackling of the Social Studies and Science

Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset - Encouraging Curiosity about the World

Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016: Discovering Patterns: Mathematics, Logic, and Science

We have tried a variety of Math and Science programs throughout our 5 years of homeschooling.  I’ll share a bit about what we have used, why we changed and what we are using now! 

Math In the beginning

We started with Saxon Math K when we first started this homeschooling journey.  I really wanted something hands on, with lots of manipulatives, and Saxon hit the mark.  However, we found that it was TOO repetitive, and TOO easy for my son at the time.  We skipped ahead A LOT and we moved onto Saxon Math 1.  After the first few chapters we were feeling the same way as we did with the K version and began to look elsewhere.  I feel like Saxon is a solid program, but I have learned since then that Saxon uses a spiral approach to math.  It circles back and around and reviews past concepts frequently.  This is great for someone who is struggling in math or needs the constant review, but this was NOT my son.  So it just didn’t work.  We decided to look for a program that uses a mastery approach.  We discovered Math U See, and LOVED it!  It was perfect match for my son, We started with Alpha, used Beta and Gamma.  Math U See got a bit complicated for us in Gamma, their method of multiplication was not working for my son, so we still used their workbooks, and I taught him alternatives ways to do multiplication. 
After completely Gamma, we had the opportunity to review CTC Math Online. More on that in a bit.

I also need to add that memorizing multiplication facts was quite a trial!  We used Times Tales and it was a LIFE SAVER!  I highly recommend it!  (There is also a downloadable version available or find it on Amazon)

MATH NOW

4th grade

CTC Math has been a great program for my oldest, it required little to no help from me, and he could do it independently (something I was really needing as my other children were getting older and entering ‘school’).  We are still using CTC Math a year later. 

We have recently, however, revisited Math U See as part of an upcoming review of their digital packs, and have been using Delta.  I still like Math U See and think it’s a great program (review coming soon).  I highly recommend! 

The only thing about CTC Math is that although they have drill exercises, they don’t really revisit past learned concepts at all (until the next grade, when they are expounded on).  For this reason I supplement with some math workbooks for my son to practice past concepts (or else he forgets!).

1st grade

Last year we tried Touch Math (for PreK and K) and Math U See with my 2nd child, as well as just other hands on activities that I found or created to supplement learning.   I felt that Touch Math was too easy for him, and Math U See was not clicking with him.  He had been using an online program MathSeeds.com, and that was working, but I wanted more hands on. 

He really likes books and learns well from listening to books, so we decided to try Life of Fred and are really enjoying that.

ABC Mouse, mentioned in my Language Arts post and he just recently decided he was interested in doing, also dabbles in math. 

More recently I have also had him doing CTC Math, to see how it would work for him and it’s going well.

He gets a VERY eclectic exposure to Math, but it is going well for now. 

OTHER MATH PROGRAMS WE’VE USED

We have reviewed A LOT of Math programs, it’s impossible to use them all, and though something might not have been the perfect fit for us, these are still high quality programs.  You can find them under REVIEWS

LOGIC

We have used a few different programs for logic as reviews, many of which we dabble in occasionally after the review period.

The Critical Thinking Co., Math Analogies Level I

The Basics of Critical Thinking from The Critical Thinking Co.

SCIENCE

For Everyone

We have used a few different Science products.  We started off first grade with Life Science R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey from Pandia Press.  LOVED this curriculum!  For 2nd grade, well… life happened, we basically did our own thing, a lot of astronomy and some earth science, I had a baby, we moved across country… so that’s how it goes sometimes.  For 3rd grade we decided to really study Astronomy and Earth Science more, and we got a curriculum from Elemental Science.  I was not that happy with it and I supplemented A LOT.  This year (4th and 1st) we are doing Chemistry and Physics.  We are mostly using a program we reviewed last year, Visual Learning Systems:  Digital Online Science and are supplementing a bit with documentaries and  scientists studies.  Right now we are doing The Periodic Table of Elements, and VLS does not have a lot on that for Elementary, so we are doing our own thing for now and will pick up with VLS again once we start Physics.  I also got these great physic kits from K’NEX that I know my oldest is going to LOVE!

My oldest also receives the Tinker Crate, which is filled with science things each month! 

OTHER SCIENCE PROGRAMS WE’VE USED

We have reviewed A LOT of science programs, it’s impossible to use them all, and though something might not have been the perfect fit for us, these are still high quality programs.  You can find them under REVIEWS

LOOKING AHEAD

My plan for now is to continue with CTC Math and Life of Fred, using them for both kids.  The CTC Math as our core, and Life of Fred as a review supplement. 

I’ll have a Kindergartener next year and I’m not sure for him….I may just use ABC Mouse and then do hands on supplemental math with him.  (If you read my last curriculum post, I stated that we take a VERY lax approach to Kindergarten).

For Science next year, we will be doing Life Science again.  We will use Pandia Press again, but I think we will work it in with VLS as well.  I have plans to sign the kids up for classes at our local zoo and aquarium (they are going to LOVE it!).  I am trying to decide if I should buy the Pandia Press Biology Level 1 for my my 5th grader, or just kick up the Life Science a notch for him (have him do extra reading and reports, etc..).  My kindergartener LOVES animals, so this is going to be a great first year of ‘school’ for him.  Animal Trackers Club is suppose to launch an ocean series this summer, so we will definitely subscribe to that!  (We recently finished their African Safari series). I’m looking forward to next year, Science (and History) is always so fun to plan and teach each year!

Linking up at the Virtual Curriculum Fair 2016

This year the Virtual Curriculum Fair is hosted by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World, Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses and Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset.

Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses - Thoughts on Math and Science
Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset  - From Counting to Calculus
Laura @ Day by Day in Our World  - How We Approach Math in This Homeschool Year
Annette @ A Net In Time - Struggling with Math, Loving Science
Annette @ A Net In Time  - Lego Pulleys and Levers
Yvie @ Gypsy Road Hands - On Math with Special Needs Learners
Chelli @ The Planted Trees  - Chemistry Using Living Books
Lisa @ GoldenGrasses  - An Appalling Lack of Curiosity
Edie @ Carter Chaos  - Our Favorite Ways to Study Numbers
Tracey @ A Learning Journey  - Robot Area and Perimeter Art Project
Jennifer @ A Glimpse of Our Life  - Math and Standardized Tests
Jen @ Chestnut Grove Academy  - Discovering Patterns: Mathematics, Logic, and Science
Sarah @ DeliveringGrace  - Learning Multiplication Tables
Kylie @ Our Worldwide Classroom  - Multisensory Multiplication
Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break  - Science and Stuff
Kemi Quinn @ Homemaking Organized  - Math in Our Homeschool for a Later Elementary Organized Reader
Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory  - Math and Logic - Our Steady Path
Laura @ Four Little Penguins  - Math and Science Love

Review: Memoria Press: Astronomy and Greek Myths

For this review we tried out The Book of Astronomy and D’AULAIRES’ Greek Myths by Memoria Press. 

Memoria Press specializes in Classical Education.  These two curriculums are designed for grades 3+ and can be used together or independent of one another. 

Classical education focuses a lot on memorization.  These books, particularly the Astronomy book is exhibits this. 

The Book of Astronomy focuses on learning the constellations and the brightest stars in the sky.  Each lesson the 15 brightest stars are written in order by brightness, and each additional lesson builds upon that by introducing a constellation that includes one of those stars.  Each constellation is talked about and a written exercise follows (questions and answers format).  They are also asked to draw and label the constellations from a blank star map. 

The lessons often cross reference the D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, which is why The Book of Astronomy goes well with the D’Aulaires Greek Myths curriculum. 

The Teacher Guide for Book of Astronomy is quite handy, as it has the answers to the written exercises. 

We spent about 2 days on each lesson of Astronomy. 

D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths is also in workbook format.  Each lesson includes Facts to know, Vocabulary, Comprehension questions and Activities that correspond with the stories in the book D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths.  The format of this curriculum is quite similar to that of the New Testament curriculum we reviewed earlier. 

Greek Myths also includes flash cards to aide in the memorization of the Greek Myth characters. 

The Teacher Guide for Greek Myths is also a handy addition for answers.

We spent about 5 days on each Greek Myths lesson, we skipped around based on the order in the Book of Astronomy of constellations.  We took one day to read the story and then one day for each section per lesson. Lessons probably could be completed faster or slower, there is room individual adjustment.

If you follow the classical model, I highly recommend both of these curriculum, and Memoria Press.  If you are not familiar with the classical method, I suggest you research it thoroughly. 

As previously mentioned it does incorporate memorization, it also includes a lot of writing in workbooks.  My son is a struggling writher and found the work monotonous.  He didn’t really enjoy it. 

The lessons, however, are very thorough and there is much to be learned by this method, if it’s a good match for your child. 

For the Astronomy we incorporated some more hands on projects to apply what was being taught/learned.  This is also an option for those that are more kinesthetic learners.  

When choosing a curriculum/method I feel it is important to focus on how your child learns best and your vision of your homeschool.    If classical is a good fit for your homeschool, I suggest looking into Memoria Press.  They have a wide variety of options available and all are high quality!

The D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths set can be purchased for $45.95 or as individual items.  The Book of Astronomy set can be purchased for $31.90 or as individual items.

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Review: Funtastic Unit Studies (TOS Review)

For this review we got to use Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers by Funtastic Unit Studies.

Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers has two sections.  The first which is designed for ages 4-7 and includes 10 units, and the second which is designed for ages 8-13 and also contains 10 units. 

There is a list of required materials at the beginning of each Chapter, most items are household or easy to find for low cost.  Each chapter is divided into parts, we covered a part a day, a few days a week…..drawing each chapter out over several weeks (2-3). 

The younger years covers Life Science, some Physics and some Astronomy.  The older years covers mostly Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science and some Life Science/Biology. 

Each chapter includes a test or written review.  They are also loaded with fun experiments and activities.

These pictures were taken from activities completed during Chapter 12:  Microscopes and Invisible Creatures (for ages 8-13, though my 6yo also participated).  We discussed the parts of a microscope, we looked at slides, took pond samples, examined convex and double convex lenses, played with fungus (yeast).  This is just one of many fun filled units to choose from.

The text is laid out in an easy to follow format.  This is not a colorful book, it doesn’t have anything ‘fancy’.  It’s plain, simple, black and white.  If you are looking for bells and whistles or frills, this book does not have it.  BUT, it is very comprehensive.  It’s designed to be used in either a classroom or homeschool setting.  The units cover a wide age range, so it would easily work for mixed age levels. 

Some lessons to require prep work, so it’s important to read through the lessons before hand.  This is not necessarily a pick up and go book (but most science books are not).  These lessons include several HANDS ON ACTIVITIES (which is a plus in my book).  Some lessons also include movie and/or book recommendations (mainly in the younger years).  The older years lessons include more writing, data collecting. 

I will say when I think of a ‘unit study’, I think of lessons that encompass every subject.  These don’t really do that.  They are very science based, include math, in most cases (of course, rarely is science without math).  I’d like to see more literature involved.  Not quite sure how to incorporate it, but a unit study should include History and/or Geography as well.  Some of the projects could be considered art, so that’s covered.  I just don’t feel it lives up the name title ‘unit study’.  Maybe I’m being overcritical. 

I do think the book is full of great ideas, fun science projects, it’s very comprehensive and easy to follow and implement.  But it’s pretty much just a science curriculum, not a ‘unit study’. 

If you are looking for an affordable, multi-age science curriculum this would be a great option!  It’s only $16.95 for the book.  It’s a non-consumable,so you can use it for years to come.  The materials (as previously mentioned) are all mostly easy to find for reasonably low costs, with a few exceptions like a microscope (but maybe you could borrow one??), There is also a wide variety of activities, so you could skip some (if you don’t have supplies) and still have a good amount of projects and fun to be had!

Check out these FREEBIES:

Freebies:
Here's a link to a page  that has two free pdf units from the book:
http://funtasticunitstudies.com/science-unit-studies-book/
And here's a link that has some other, unrelated, freebies:
http://funtasticunitstudies.com/lessons-and-activities/
Historical Chapter Book

Workbox Wednesday–Kites and Magnetism

<center> <a href="http://chestnutgroveacademy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Chestnut Grove Academy" src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o281/jaltman25/bf498a5a-35f7-4be0-b916-c4e4e47b1f3e.jpg"/></a></center>  

Welcome to Workbox Wednesday!  If you use workboxes, tot trays, or anything similar, feel free to post a link to your blog post or a picture (pictures can be from facebook, but please make sure they are PUBLIC so we can see them, or use a host like photobucket.com to get a URL for your photo) that shows WHAT IS IN YOUR BOXES!

Please visit my co-host at Tots and Me and Line Upon Line Learning

Visit others that link up, leave comments, follow, etc.  The favors will be returned!  Feel free to grab a button too, so others can find the link up and join in the fun!

These two are for my 15mo (L) is from Letter K at Confessions of a Homeschooler.  The (R) is from 3 Dinosaurs, I used plastic shapes or cut out shapes from foam.

These kites are also from Confessions of a Homeschooler.  I attached ribbon tails and got bow shaped hair clips to add to the tails.  This is for my 4yo.  You’ll need two boxes to have enough to do all 10 kites.

My kids favorite are always the Roll & Graph activities (especially my 5yo), and anything that has stamps!  Stamping K’s for instance on a kite!  Lot of great choices and Deb, has lots of great ideas as well at PreK & K Sharing.

Living Montessori Now has a GREAT list of Kite Themed Printables.  I used many of them, however these were the ones I sort of made my own (as opposed to just printing and using).

So many magnetic things are tiny pieces that my tot will most likely put in her mouth (though she is pretty good about not doing it, it does happen).  I wanted to put together some discovery bottles that would be fun but SAFE! 

Additionally I wanted my older kids to have fun too!  My 8yo is doing a Moving Beyond the Page Electricity and Magnetism (& Ben Franklin) unit, so I wanted to put some things together that would coincide for the youngers.

The bottles are as follows:
1.  BBs (as in BB gun)
2.  jingle bells
3.  colored paperclips
4.  cut up pipe cleaners
5.  Magnetic counting chips (pictured below)

I bought the Mighty Magnet Set (pictured below) and it was great b/c all the pieces were large enough that I didn’t have to worry about my tot.  The magnets were large enough for little hands to grip too.  They all had a blast (though for some reason I didn’t get any pics of my tot playing with them!).

An InLinkz Link-up

Poppins Book Nook–To The Laboratory! #Giveaway

<div align="center"><a href="http://enchantedhomeschoolingmom.org/2014/02/poppins-book-nook/" title="Poppins Book Nook"><img src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n597/enchantedhomeschoolingmom/ProfileImage_zpse3f27ae8.png" alt="Poppins Book Nook" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Grab the code above to come and link up each month and share what YOU do with the theme!  We look forward to hearing from you!

This Year’s Co-hosts

Enchanted Homeschooling Mom ~ 3 Dinosaurs ~ To the Moon and Back ~ Planet Smarty Pants ~ Farm Fresh Adventures ~ Growing in God�s Grace ~ Chestnut Grove Academy ~ Learning and Growing the Piwi Way ~ The Usual Mayhem~ Preschool Powol Packets ~ Monsters Ed Homeschool Academy ~ Adventures in Mommydom ~Teach Beside Me ~ Life with Moore Babies ~ Kathy�s Cluttered Mind ~ Are We There Yet? ~ Our Crafts N Things ~Hopkins Homeschool ~ ABC Creative Learning ~ Joy Focused Learning ~ P is for Preschooler ~ My Bright Firefly~A Mommy�s Adventures ~ Inspiring 2 New Hampshire Children ~ World for Learning ~ Ever After in the Woods ~Golden Grasses ~ A glimpse of our life ~ Journey to Excellence ~ Happy Little Homemaker ~ Little Homeschool Blessings ~ Raventhreads ~ Tots and Me ~ As We Walk Along The Road ~ Stir the Wonder ~ For This Season ~Where Imagination Grows ~ The Canadian Homeschooler ~ School Time Snippets ~ Peakle Pie ~ A Moment in our World ~ Every Bed of Roses ~ Finchnwren ~ At Home Where Life Happens ~ The Library Adventure ~Embracing Destiny ~ Day by Day in our World ~ Our Homeschool Studio ~ A �Peace� of Mind ~ Thou Shall Not Whine ~ SAHM I am  ~ Simple Living Mama

Giveaway:

Ultimate Gruffalo Giveaway! Every month the Poppins Book Nook group will be offering readers a chance to win a brand new storybook or product that ties in with our theme for the month. This month one lucky entrant will win the Ultimate Gruffalo Giveaway. The winner will enjoy twice the magical enchantment in the double feature of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child! The beautifully animated films based on the best-selling books are now together on DVD from NCircle Entertainment! And the fun doesn’t stop there as they will also win a storybook of the Gruffalo and Gruffalo themed plush too!
Entrants must be 18years or older and reside in a country that receives U.S. Postal mail. This giveaway is brought to you by the company Enchanted Homeschooling Mom who is owner and founder of the Poppins Book Nook and this month’s prize bundle will be sent to the winner directly from this month’s sponsor NCircle Entertainment. By entering this giveaway you are also acknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the Rafflecopter terms & conditions as well as Enchanted Homeschooling Mom's disclosures found here.  Just enter the Rafflecopter below to win: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link Up:

An InLinkz Link-up