| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homechooling by Subject How Do I Teach Science at Home? by Julie Shepherd knapp, copyright 2006 Homeschoolers teach science in a variety of ways, from library books, textbooks and unit studies to hands-on and audio-visual materials. Prospective homeschool parents seem to worry the most about Lab Science and how homeschoolers do experiments without a school lab. It sounds complicated! It sounds expensive! But please... Don't Panic It's doesn't have to be either. There are plenty of lab programs, designed for home use, that call for house-hold or other easy-to-find materials. There are also virtual labs, lab videos, and all-inclusive lab kits made just for homeschoolers. Often homeschoolers can find outside classes to take subjects like high school chemistry. Even without outside help, science can be taught at home, and it can be taught well. Let's take a look at the different options homeschoolers have for learning about science. Some parents like to use a purchased science curriculum, others prefer to pull together their own curriculum from Internet resources, library books, textbooks, and community resources. A science curriculum is usually included in most School-at-Home curriculum packages, using either public school textbooks or texts created specifically for the supplier. These science units can also be bought and used independently from many of the suppliers. None of the major alternative homeschool approaches have a big focus on science and technology in the elementary years, though many do include nature studies and a history of science. If you choose an alternative homeschool approach, but want to also place an emphasis on science, you will need to take the initiative and seek out materials and hands-on opportunities for your child. To find local hands-on science opportunities, begin by checking with your nearest science and technology museums -- many offer homeschool classes and most offer Saturday and summer programs. Homeschool co-ops may also offer (or be willing to organize) hands-on technical workshops and classes and even science fairs. State-sponsored 4-H clubs offer guidance and instruction for science and technology projects, and exhibit opportunities, as well. For fun one-on-one experiences, seek out local mentors, retired teachers, or other volunteers who can help you guide your child's projects and encourage their interests. Older children may be able to take science and technology classes thru their local high school or technical college (policies vary by state and school district - check with your local schools). Many science and technology classes are also available thru online distance learning programs, some with high tech virtual lab simulators, such as Model ChemLab. Most textbook and homeschool curriculum publishers have materials that cover the standard high school chemistry and biology classes. Some are aimed more at liberal arts students, others are taught at a higher level. Some publishers include topics in physics, earth science, geology, computer science, programming, robotics, astronomy, etc. The large book sellers (such as Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com) also have an interesting and wide assortment of books on science and technology. For example, many of those wanting serious chemistry labs (such as needed for AP Chemistry) turn to the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture by Robert Thompson. For younger children look thru library books about science, watch science videos and educational TV, and do lots of hands-on learning in your home and yard. Provide plenty of opportunities to play with water and with sand (or dried rice or beans if you find sand too messy). Step outside and take a walk -- look for animals and insects and flowers and trees... notice the weather and observe how it changes, set up a thermometer where your child can read the temperature. Try out a sundial and talk about how the Earth spins. Learn about the animals your child enjoys. Don't be afraid of science -- it is all around us, just waiting to be observed and explored. You can join the Yahoo! Group, Living Science for more ideas and reviews of resources, and the sister blog site, FunSchooling, which has a wonderful Living Science Booklist (scroll down the page to see it) The Diner Science section is filled with options for fun kits, games and activities, too-- many available free online! If you really feel you need something structured to help you teach science to your K-3rd grader... then explore your options in the Science Curriculum section of the Diner -- you'll find several fun, low-pressure curriculum to choose from, such as TOPS Science (Lentil Science units), Noeo Science (Young Scientists Club), Real Science 4 Kids (Pre-Level 1), or Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (K-2). If you still feel "iffy"... try this lecture on How NOT to teach Science (it asks for a donation for the download). Maybe read the article, Help For Homeschoolers: Opportunities abound for learning science outside the home by Linda Wang, too. Here's a tip from Robert Krampf on how to be that "really cool science teacher". (Krampf is the guy who does the Experiment of the Week.) Still not sure you're "qualified" to teach science? Check out this series of teacher help books, intended for public school K-8 teachers (see -- they don't all know how to teach science, either!) Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach It by William C. Robertson, Ph.D. Finally, go to Science Options for Homeschoolers for links to specific resources in all science topics :-) You CAN do this :-))) Related Issues WorldBook Encyclopedia Typical Course of Study -- see a summary of which science topics are generally taught at which grade levels California Science Content Standards for grades K-12 , all topics A Review of Earth Science Education Standards -- lists and provides online resources for the topics typically covered in elementary, middle and high school earth science classes |
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