| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Science Resources Science Curriculum Options: Programs, Units, Modules, and Worktexts by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006, 2007 Both Secular and Christian-focused, ranging from pricey... to free... Traditional Science Curriculum (K- 8th) TOPScience -- (K - 12) hands-on science experiments and math activities, easy to use, good for parents or students with science anxiety, their new Lentil Science and Get a Grip units are lots of fun. Noeo Homeschool Science Curriculum -- (K - 6) literature-based science units with accompanying lab experiment kits, use real books available from the library (but offered for sale on the website), the kits, called "The Young Scientist Club Experiment Kits", come with a parent's guide and activities correlate with the books, but can be bought and used separately, aligned with Charlotte Mason philosophy, the curriculum does not include Bible verses or Creationist teachings Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding by Dr. Bernard J. Nebel -- uses inquiry-based learning to address all areas of science at a K- 2 grade level, complete curriculum also integrates other subject areas. There is a Yahoo! Group, K5science, for parent support. Also available-- Nebel’s Elementary Education: Creating A Tapestry of Learning which covers K-5 for all subject areas Apologia -- Christian-focused high school science program, also offers several creationist texts for all ages, conversational style text appeals to those without much science background/interest, choice of books or CD- Rom text, no tests Real Science 4 Kids -- (4-12) three levels of chemistry, biology, and physics units for elementary, middle, and high school, textbooks cover high- level concepts in a kid-friendly, conversational tone, offers lab manuals for high-interest experiments that correspond to text (using household supplies), each experiment concludes with a list of words to be defined, Mid- term and end-of-year exams, included REAL Science -- (grades1-4) a homeschool curriculum designed to be used with Classical Education, two volumes, Life and Earth Science, include a conversational text, hands-on lab activities along with background science information, reading lists, journaling ideas, not Christian-focused Castle Heights Press -- elementary and middle school science units (some Christian-focused, some not), high school science worktexts, lab science manuals, students can work independently, designed for kids who like science Rainbow Science -- this is Christian-focused junior high science program (7th and 8th grades) that covers physics, chemistry, and biology (covers, but does not support the theory of evolution), incorporates intelligent design arguments, this program is often used as part of The Well-Trained Mind approach, it has been reviewed by Susan Wise Bauer. Spectrum Science -- this is Christian-focused high science program that currently offers only chemistry (physics and biology will follow), incorporates intelligent design arguments, this program is often used as part of The Well- Trained Mind approach, from the makers of Rainbow Science (above). Exploration Education -- hands-on science program for K-3rd and 4-8th Home Science Adventures -- K - 8 hands-on, discovery-based science kits, includes equipment and lesson plans AIMS Education Foundation -- standards-aligned science and math teaching modules/student activity books for grades K - 6, other books and hands-on activities for K - 9, includes two LEGO DACTA activity kits, some activities and be purchased and downloaded separately, free sample activities for download, great for individual use or with learning co-ops Ed Adventures Online -- a subscription program with hands-on science modules, including two that use Lego's. Mark Twain Media (a division of Carson-Dellosa Publishing) -- grades 4- 8+ inexpensive science workbooks and work texts, and lab work texts Alpha Omega LIFEPAC Science -- work text units by subject and grade level, offers videos of actual science experiments, can be used separately or as part of the complete Christian curriculum offered by AO Bob Jones University Press K-12 science curriculum-- available thru Home Training Tools (a much easier site to navigate, too!), this is a Christ- centered school-at-home type curriculum, includes teacher's book, student text, student notebook, and tests, science kits/materials extra Kendall-Hunt Publishers -- (K-12) standards-alligned learning modules for all subjects, hands-on activity-based science units, modules available for purchase individually Rader's Kapli.com - a subscription website for science tutorials Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture by Robert Thompson. Includes AP Chemistry Labs. [Chemistry: The Central Science, Ninth Edition by Theodore L. Brown is a good AP Chemistry companion text] Model Chem Lab -- interactive software that simulates lab experiments, many labs offered -- here is one set, as an example Chemistry I - online course using Model Chem Lab virtual lab software, thru the Florida Virtual School, other subjects available Biology Labs Online -- a series of interactive, inquiry-based biology simulations and exercises designed for college and AP high school biology students Kinetic Books: Physics and AP Physics -- three levels of online physics texts (geared to classroom use but OK for homeschoolers), plus virtual labs. Includes animation, activities and games to learn concepts: Conceptual Physics: Clearly presents the concepts without stressing the mathematics. Principles of Physics: Requires algebra and trigonometry to apply the equations presented (appropriate for those taking the AP/B exam) Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Requires an understanding of calculus (appropriate for those taking the AP/C exam) Free Online Curriculum and Other Resources Math/Science Nucleus -- free K-12 science curriculum, includes lesson plans, online animated storybooks, slide shows Windows to the Universe -- (K - 12) free online tutorials, activities, coloring pages, etc. on Earth and Space science, includes art, poetry and myths related to the sun and planets Middle School Science -- free online resources and lesson plans for activities, projects and experiments The Science House -- free online experiments for Middle School science, designed by NC State University Pre-University Chemistry Course by the University of Oxford -- includes free online text and virtual labs Virtual Chemistry from the University of Oxford -- free online chemistry labs, webcasts, and video libraries, high school level and up The Chemistry Collective by Carnegie Mellon University -- free online collection of virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, and concept tests for use as pre-labs, homework, and in-class activities The World of Chemistry -- free online video series, 26 half-hour programs, coordinated book and lab manual available for purchase Basic Concepts in Geology -- a tutorial from NASA The BGS Geological Time Chart -- click on a time period for more info Global Stratotype Sections -- lists the geologica time scale and names specific rock formations that are of that age Stanford Computer Science Library -- free online tutorials, videos and applets for learning about computer science Young Epidemiology Students -- (9-12) free down-loadable teaching units on epidemiology and other biology topics, also an annual student competition Merlin Science -- offers Chemistry, Astronomy, and Genetics courses on CD-Rom, high level science materials presented in a way that even young teens will enjoy. Used by a few schools, too. Samples available to view. NIH Curriculum Supplement Series -- (K - 12) 2-week modules with lesson plans and activities,ranging from tooth-brushing to cellular biology UCMP K - 12 by the University of California Museum of Paleontology -- web-based educational modules and online resources to help students to investigate and understand the history of life, the fossil record, evolution, and the diversity of the Earth's biota I.Science MaTe by the Math/Science Nucleus -- (K - 10) free online kid- friendly tutorials on various science topics, short and illustrated with photos Virtual Text -- (9 - 12) biology web modules and online texts, some free some subscription Amazing Space -- free online tutorials and activities from the Space Telescope Science Institute (the Hubble Space Telescope) The Physics Classroom -- free online physics tutorials written at high school level CoAST -- free modules for studying marine and coastal environments Scratch -- a free download from MITof a new programming language that lets you create your own interactive stories, games, music, and art, website includes kid-friendly tutorials and "facilitorials", aimed at grades 3 - 8 The Official String Theory Website by Patricia Schwarz Try Engineering -- free lesson plans for ages 8 to 18 Eyes on the Skies -- a children's astronomy tutorial with activities, from Havard Underwater Archaeology -- visit dive sites around the world The Lesson Plans Page -- thousands of free lesson plans on all subjects, including science and computers Teachnology -- over 25,000 free lesson plans on all subjects, including science and computers Rader's Chem4Kids -- free online chemistry tutorials and activities for kids Rader's Biology4kids -- free online biology tutorials and activities for kids Food and Nutrition -- an extensive website that discusses all aspects of food, nutrition, food processing, the food industry, food additives, and agriculture, from the University of Saskatchewan High School Biology in Your Home -- an independent research approach to high school biology, no textbook provided, students find info on websites, in old textbooks, and using primary sources The World of Chemistry -- free online video series, 26 half-hour programs, coordinated book and lab manual available for purchase National Repository of Online Classes: AP -- free, self-study, online AP courses in science, math, and history UCCP Open Access College Prep -- free online AP courses, including simulated labs for science classes, use as prep for taking AP tests Connexions by Rice University -- contains educational materials in all subjects for all levels, from children to college students to professional. Information is organized in small modules that stand alone or can be easily connected into larger courses. Connexions is an innovative environment for collaboratively developing, freely sharing, and rapidly publishing scholarly content on the Web. All content is free. |
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