Science Observations

Reminder that the monthly drawing for a $25 gift card is still going on for May. See December's first blog for details.

I am approaching the end of my 25th year as a homeschooling mom. I have one more year to go. So what do I know about teaching science?

First, it is harder and easier than you think. This is the same for any subject actually. Whatever your skill level and your child's need level, there are curricula out there that can actually fit your situation. You just have to figure out what your situation is. Mismatching your situation and the curricula will make it harder. Matching it well will make it easier.

So let's look at the various approaches.

Some people prefer a hands-on method of learning science. They like the discovery method of doing the experiment and then figuring out what is what. This works well if the parent giving direction actually already knows the material very well. Otherwise, a couple of things can happen.

a) Hit and Miss Gaps - If you don't have a real game plan, picking experiments and activities from your interest level can leave huge gaps in the learning experience. And here's a question for you: How do you know you are interested in an area unless you have some experience with it already? You have to know at least that the area exists. Beware also that your student or yourself may believe that you have no interest in an area because you once had a difficult experience with it. In other words, don't avoid areas out of laziness or fear.

One thing that will help here is to create a grid of the various areas out there, almost all of them, in fact. Arrange your grid in an order dealing with time and skills. Then color in the grid as you have studied an area. This will help to insure that you don't neglect areas. Mix the hard areas with easy areas in the schedule, maybe doing one hard after every easy area.

Many areas actually depend upon each other, especially as you reach higher levels. For example, all sciences are dependent upon the student's math levels, at least to some extent. Your child might wish to do physiology, but that depends upon already having chemistry which depends upon them having had Algebra II. Not building that proper foundation will hamper your efforts at the upper levels.

b) Discovery rate - Many people say they want to use the discovery method. In other words, we do an activity and then summarize what we learned from observation and activity. This can be fun for many kids. However, one drawback is that it will take you approximately 2000 years to cover the material. Most of us do not have that much time with our children's education. Compromise will be needed in covering the needed material in the amount of time available.

So, does this mean that one cannot successfully use the hands-on method for studying science? No, it just means this cannot be done in a dart board fashion. You can't just decide randomly what to study and how to study it. Much planning is needed to do this well. Otherwise, you are not teaching science, but rather collections of trivia with no relational component.

One way to approach science is to see it in two major phases. Phase one is nature study. Nature study hones one's skills in observation and recording. One learns to watch quietly. One learns to sketch drawings of what one is seeing. One learns to keep diaries or records of what is seen when. These are terrific skills to learn for future work in science as well as in other areas of knowledge. Another benefit is learning to feel at home with your natural environment because you know the stuff of life around you. You also learn to see God, because nature witnesses to us of His marvelous works. So we gain a greater appreciation for God and all He does for us, and we gain peace in our hearts.

One could spend 3-4 years doing nature study in order to cover most of the plants and animals of North America alone, much less cover weather, astronomy, and human health. Rod and Staff Publications has a lovely two year nature study program. Christian Liberty Press has a six year reading program called the Christian Liberty Nature Readers. Once you have finished all the volumes, you will have covered the plant and animal life of North America. Audubon books are available at libraries as well as at bookstores and online. Nature preserves and parks surround us. Some are among the best in the country. A sketch book, a record book, pencils, a compass, a calendar, and some collection devices: easy equipment to use and to purchase.

After doing a thorough nature study, one would then move onward to disciplined studies of the areas of science. Typically, seventh grade covers life sciences (plants, animals, and humans), eighth grade covers earth sciences (geology, oceanography, space, astronomy, weather, etc.), and ninth grade covers the physical sciences (light chemistry and light physics). The annual topic is already determined by math levels. Life sciences require the least math, earth science requires pre-algebra, and physical science requires algebra concurrently at least.

High school work continues into an even deeper approach to the sciences. Mathematics becomes an increasingly larger component of the sciences here. Biology requires fluidity in using exponents and in manipulating fractions. Chemistry needs Algebra II skills to make the material easy to comprehend. Physics depends upon Trigonometry and even up into the calculus, depending upon the depth of challenge you wish to grasp.

Textbooks are easy ways to cover these materials, especially for those who may not be experts in science. They cover the material in such a way that one can let the book be the expert.

Students not wishing to go into sciences will find some textbooks more palatable than others. Those expecting to go to college in the sciences should use the hardest texts available and do what is needed to master them. Anything else is like giving your child a rusty gun with one bullet and expecting them to hunt for the winter.

The depth of material available to assist parents in this endeavor increases by the year. More and more sites are available on line for covering sticky areas. Video media can also be a rich source of material to supplement the text. Another blessing is that we live in an area inundated with science guys, who love to answer questions in science. Take advantage of that pool of knowledge.

The United States is finally admitting it has drifted way behind in the sciences. You will see an increasing emphasis on the sciences in society's panicked attempt to recover the lead. Florida has just upped its graduation requirements in the sciences, doing away with integrated science methods recognizing the ineffectual results.

Choose wisely and work with a curricula counselor who is both aware of the options available for you and is able to understand your family's and child's situation. We would be happy to assist you in these areas. Curricula is our specialty in helping parents start each year well. Call us.