Scienceworks Grades 1-3

Description

Very well done unit studies for primary grade children. While written for a classroom setting, I found very few adaptations needed to use in the home environment and very little preparatory work (outside of gathering some resource books and materials) required. They emphasize process skills and scientific thought at a level appropriate to this age - observation, prediction, recording information, critical thinking, analysis, and comparison. Each contains two reproducible forms for a student logbook, one used to record what was learned each day (like a learning diary), the other for recording investigations (What we did, What we saw, What we learned). The books are organized by major concept. For example, Exploring Space book covers:

  • Earth is part of a solar system in the Milky Way galaxy
  • Stars are huge balls of hot, glowing gases
  • Our Sun is a star
  • Groups of stars seen together are called constellations
  • Each planet in our solar system has unique
  • characteristics
  • The Earth has one satellite called the moon
  • The Earth moves through space day and night and the seasons
  • Scientists study space in many ways.
  • Background, step-by-step instructions for the lesson and a list of reference books are included for each. Investigations are clearly explained and illustrated and use household materials. There are also reproducible worksheets, mini-books, and other manipulatives and patterns to use with the lesson.

    Teaching Method
    Traditional
    Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
    Charlotte Mason
    A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
    Classical
    A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
    Unit Study
    A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
    Montessori (Discovery)
    A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
    Other
    Other methodologies
    Religious Content
    Secular
    Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
    Neutral
    Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
    Christian/Religious
    Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
    Learning Modality
    Auditory
    Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
    Visual
    Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
    Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
    Learns through moving, doing and touching.
    Multi-Sensory
    Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
    Presentation
    Sequential
    Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
    Spiral
    Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
    Conceptual/Topical
    Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
    Teacher Involvement
    Low Teacher Involvement
    Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
    Medium Teacher Involvement
    A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
    High Teacher Involvement
    Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
    Additional Materials Required
    No other materials needed
    Everything you need is included.
    Other Materials Required
    There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
    Other Materials Optional
    There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
    Consumable
    Consumable
    Designed to be written in; not reusable.
    Non-Consumable
    Not designed to be written in; reusable.