Do you like science? How about do you like to teach science? That is the real question, isn't it? It was for me! I love science- in a limited, hands-off, just look at nature sort of way. My kids on the other hand, well they really like science. What's a homeschool mom to do when she doesn't like to teach science to kids that want to be taught?
The answer:
Use a fun and interesting science curriculum!
Recently I was one of the ones from the TOS Crew that was chosen to review Bright Ideas Press (BIP). I was given the choice of items/curriculums that they offer. Since we were struggling with science I chose Christian Kids Explore Physics. I had looked into BIP long before I became a member of the TOS Crew but it's interesting how we are drawn back to things that at one time we turn away from. I really liked the history curriculum that BIP offered but at the time I wasn't really looking to purchase anything.
Let me say here something about Bright Ideas Press: This is a great group of individuals. I was treated with professionalism each and every time I contacted them. I had most correspondence with Tyler Hogan and whenever I had a question, if he didn't know, he went searching for the answer. From the start, I have been very pleased with the experience with Bright Ideas Press. Now onto my review of Christian Kids Explore Physics ;)
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| Cover of the book we received. Also we received a download of the student activity book via email. |
The book is available for purchase from BIP for $34.95 and the download of the student activity book is available for $12.95
The universe that we live in is the result of God’s thoughtful design and careful building. Physics gives us a glimpse into the materials, laws, and structures of that universe. Behold the wonders of creation with this series of 30 easy-to-understand lessons for grades 4-8. Each lesson helps develop an understanding of matter and energy and the rules they follow. Exploring physics is an exciting adventure! From the website.
The book is a nice thick book. The age range is indicated for grades 4th through 8th.
The set up of this book is orderly. Who doesn't like order?? In science it is a necessity! Here is the set up:
- Preparation- this is where the list of supplies needed for the unit is found as well as the vocabulary list.
- Teaching Time- just what it says ;)
- Review It- 5 fill in the blank questions reviewing the lesson.
- Hands On Time- where the 'labs' or activities are located for each lesson.
- Coloring Pages- these are at the back of the book although you can find them interspersed throughout the book.
- Think About It- After the activities it gives a chance for the kids to think more in depth about what they've learned through the reading and the hands on activity.
- Unit Wrap-Up- Multiple choice questions after each Unit.
I was super excited to get started with this book. But there were some things that I couldn't 'get over' I guess you could say. Perhaps I should mention that my kids are ages 14 and 11; grades 8 and 6. I hoped this would be a good fit with both of them. The 'easy-to-understand lessons' were perhaps too easy to understand. Read on!
How did we use this book? Possibly a bit differently than intended, I don't know. I usually follow a more Charlotte Mason approach- we read, they tell me what they've learned, perhaps we do some 'hands-on' activity if it relates. With this book, we did the first two steps that I usually follow but then there were worksheets. Each lesson has a Review It at the end. This is comprised of five questions. Yes, just five. (Hey, that could be a good or a bad thing, right?) This is followed by a Hands On Time and then Think About It. The last two were what I was most interested in.
So for Lesson 1 through 3 here is what we did. I printed off the Activity Book pages that the kids would need. I also gave them their very own folder to keep these pages in. There was a coloring page to start this Unit. Usually my kids aren't big on coloring...they think they've better things to do (silly children lol). So while they colored, I read out loud the first lesson. At the end, I had them tell back what they'd learned. For the Review It, they obviously answered the questions and in the side bar where it says Additional Notes, I had them write the Unit Vocabulary Words. For the Hands On Time (for lesson 1 specifically), we brainstormed what to fill the chart in with. There were a lot of things that one hadn't thought of that another did (and I'm one of those that didn't think of something, ahem).Then we attempted to do the Think About It but with the 'answer' already printed after the question (in lesson 1), it defeats the purpose.
Lesson 2 and 3 were done the same way. The Think About It in the following lessons thankfully did not have the answers to the questions. The kids had to think about it. And after the lessons were complete they took the Unit One Wrap-Up.
What did I like?
I really liked that it went fairly quickly for the lessons. There isn't too much information in each lesson to make it feel overwhelming. I also enjoyed seeing my kids take the time to color the pages nicely. It's been so long since they've wanted to take the time to make a picture look nice. We really enjoyed the hands on activities and are especially looking forward to more of those. Fortunately, there is a list at the beginning of each Unit that tells what supplies are needed to go with the activities in the following lessons. It would be nice to have this list broken up into each lesson but it works well enough the way it is. Also at the beginning of each lesson in the sidebar is a scripture that relates to science- it shows that we are learning about what God created. I absolutely loved the way the book was designed. It is 'pretty', clean and orderly.
What did I not like?
It was just about too young for both of my kids. It says that it is for grades 4-8 but I honestly cannot see this going beyond 6th grade. Possibly 5th. My son came home to be schooled after 4th grade (he is in 6th this year) and this would have been well suited for him in 4th, maybe 5th grade. This is helping to fill in gaps that he has in his science knowledge and also helping him to learn some new information. My daughter is in 8th grade and this is really too young for her. There is information that, yes, she is getting from this but she just zooms through all of it because she has already learned about these.
The Review It questions "are almost always exact quotes from the lesson and, therefore, the answers will be unambiguous" (Ridlon, xxii). The Unit Wrap Up actually is multiple choice but it follows and takes questions from the Review It. Personally, I just don't see how this helps the children retain what they have been taught that well; it simply shows that they have memorized the order and sequence of sentences. Here is a sample question from Lesson 18: "Did you observe that the ball that rolled faster went farther?" Is that a yes or no question? Granted a lot of kids will give more than a single word answer I just don't think the questions are open ended and they should be. In my opinion.
After all that, perhaps the lack of this isn't necessarily a problem- it could lead into more in depth study on the subject.
After all that, perhaps the lack of this isn't necessarily a problem- it could lead into more in depth study on the subject.
Bottomline
This isn't a dumbed-down book, I hope I haven't given that impression. It just may be mislabeled as far as age range is concerned.
**Would I recommend this book to another homeschooler?**
Yes, I would! I love the way that it is organized, it is presented and the information. However, I would mention the closed questioning that is present throughout the book. Other than sometimes in the Think About It (and the Hands On Time for the most part) the answers are fed to the student. I don't think it really encourages them to search for the answers themselves. Also the age/grade range is a little low, in my opinion. The price is very very reasonable and I wish that there was a larger selection of these types of books (with some slight differences as I think I've made clear).Interested to read what others had to say about BIP's curriculum offerings? Check out the TOS Crew for more reviews.
**Disclaimer: I received these materials free from Bright Ideas Press through The Old Schoolhouse Crew. I was not compensated for this review; I received the items in exchange for an honest review. All statements/opinions are my own. See more Disclosure/Policies.**
I think we were posting at the same time- only I am west coast, so you must be up very late!
ReplyDeleteI also have looked at this book several times. I think, given that 2 of my boys are a bit younger (7, 10) and that my older son (12) has some learning challenges, this might be a perfect fit for us. Also, my two youngest *love* to color. Not so much just for fun, but if I say that they get to color for school, they see it as an easy few minutes! :) Thanks for the review. I am going to check the sample pages.