Discover! General Science 2 is a self-directed curriculum that is flexible for different learning styles and abilities. The Kit includes two Student Worktexts (A and B), the Instructor Guide, the Lab Manual, and the Assessments Book. Currently, these are only sold in a set–they are not available individually.
The consumable and colorfully illustrated Student Worktexts are organized into ten topical units, with each unit containing 5-7 chapters. Each chapter begins with objectives, vocabulary words and definitions, and materials for the Worktext activities. Chapters introduce new concepts through a real-world story and engagingly written informational text. Following the readings, students answer related questions and complete application activities, and chapter reviews called “show what you know”. Scattered throughout the chapters are extension activities which may include focus readings or activities, mini-labs, online research projects, and creative projects (songs, drawings, etc.). Chapters will take about 2 days to complete. Each unit also includes one or two formal lab experiments which are found in the Lab Manual. They are not scheduled, rather chapter experiment(s) should be completed at your convenience prior to the chapter review and assessment. The Lab Manual contains the student instructions, material lists, safety notes, and space to document the lab experience. It also includes observation sheets for the mini-labs to help students become proficient at lab documentation. Complete teaching notes for experiments are found in the back of the Instructor Guide. The Assessment Book includes the consumable assessments for each chapter. There are two types of assessments available. A traditional test with fill-in-the-blank, matching, or short answer (or drawing) questions and the project-based Performance assessment which includes the project steps or requirements and a grading rubric. All student resources are consumable, and not reproducible.
The Discover! General Science 2 Instructor Guide accompanies Student Worktext A, Student Worktext B, and the Lab Manual. Along with chapter objectives, each chapter provides parents with suggestions to support learning, how to teach or challenge each of the three learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic), extension/enrichment activities, booster activities that support mastery through additional practice, co-op activities for families using the curriculum with a large group, and all the answers. It also includes the assessments and answers or grading rubric for projects.