10 Ways to Jazz Up Your Science # 6
There are times when life gets in the way of schooling. Has this happened to you? Perhaps someone is ill, there is a new baby in the family, or it is the holiday season. There are times that video, computer and internet resources can be a wonderful supplement to your curriculum.
When we studied astronomy we downloaded free software that made looking at the night sky so much easier. We were able to maneuver around the night sky, look at planets close up and figure out what the night sky would look like when we went out in the evening to view the stars on a clear night. What a wonderful supplement to our curriculum (For software links look at our past newsletters in 2009)
Last year we studied world history and the children and I watched the series "Planet Earth". It was a spectacular cinematographic feat. I enjoyed it more than the children. We took notes, mapped the geographic locations of the varied DVD’s and kept track of the animals listed with drawings and additional research. This can be a stand-alone assignment for older children, with you keeping a watchful “ear” as you view the show, nearby.
Of course, since your children are grounded in the evolution vs. creation debate, hint, hint, wink ;) they can view these programs with an ear out for anti-creation thought. If not, you may want to look at our curriculum.
Television Programs: the most common are on the Discovery station and PBS Science. Noted shows include, "Bill Neye the Science Guy, Newton's Apple, Weird Science.
Here are a few Internet websites.
Creation
http://www.creationism.org/
http://www.answersingenesis.org
Secular
http://www.nasa.gov/
http://www.newtonsapple.tv/
http://www.pbs.org/science/
Discovery Channel
Alaska: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/alaska/alaska-week.html
http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/science-tv-shows.html
What are your favorite science internet websites or television programs? Share your favorites with us!
Date: 11/26/2009 11:06 pm
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Oh, Felice, I am so there right now. We are in the middle of getting our house ready for sale and it is hard to keep up on the schooling. We took off this week and I told my 12 year old daughter to invent and educational game. She is working on a game that will tech the States, capitals, birds, flowers, statehood date, etc... I should be great.
I have been trying to think of ways that they can keep learning without me as much until I get this house ready.
I have found that we like audio's in the car! I would love to incorporate some great educational videos and I do have a couple of your seminars that you taught with Cindy. I was thinking about bringing those back out.
Do you have any advice or an option that we could use instead of doing a more formal textbook of General Science next yer?
Your stuff is so fun!
I look forward to the other seminars coming and I will keep up on your site and your curriculum. I am heading there now to check out what all you offer!
Thanks, Rodna
Date: 12/4/2009 8:31 am
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Right now we are working on creating some interactive workshops for students. I am praying they will be completed over the Christmas break and will keep you informed.
Thanks for your kind words and sharing your suggestion of having your daughter create a game. Would you believe that in college while an education major that was one of our "big" projects? Creating a math game for students that would review previously learned concepts.
Another thought, as you are listening to the Astronomy class is to really explore the free software downloads that are mentioned in the set. These interactive computer programs allow the children to study the constellations, planets and become familiar with the night sky. We found the need to download the program on two computers. Why? They were trying to "stump" each other. One would pull up a night sky with the constellations and the other would do the same (with another set of constellations) and they had to "guess" the constellation.
I have been in discussions with homeschool moms over dumbing down education by calling it "fun"...truthfully? I believe not all education has to be fun, but it sure beats reading and answering questions, taking the test and proceeding to forget what you learned! If they can have fun, learn about the constellations, planets, etc., I am all for it!