The fun of science lies in the experiments. At the middle school level, science should be about doing. Students need to learn the basics of scientific method, including how to write a lab report. The thought of replicating a science laboratory in the home can be daunting, but rest assured, many experiments at this level can be done easily within the home without specialized equipment.
In accordance with curriculum guidelines, we study concepts in physical science, life science, earth and space science, ecology and technology; then we test these concepts in the “laboratory”: the kitchen/dining area. We’re using the Spectrum Science series by Frank Schaffer Publications. It’s interesting to read, with brief articles on contemporary science topics, but it doesn’t excel at explaining science concepts. The series is aligned to national standards, so you know you’ll be covering curriculum requirements, but you’ll likely find yourself searching for supplementary material. Also by Frank Schaffer Publications, Science up to the Standards by Pam Walker and Elaine Wood offers experiments grouped according to branch of science, but some of the experiments call for specialized lab equipment, like a triple-beam scale. Walker and Wood’s 50 Terrific Science Experiments provides even more inexpensive experiments, easy to do at home without special equipment, but the activities are not grouped by branch of science.
Where can you find supplementary material? Reputable resources include your local library or bookstore and PBS, Discovery and National Geographic online.
Allegra's take: I don’t particularly like Spectrum Science. I find the “read the selection and answer the questions” format boring.
Science up to the Standards and 50 Terrific Science Experiments are much more engaging than the main text. They offer many experiments, though some of the instructions seem flawed: even when we followed the directions to the letter, some experiments were unsuccessful.
Other hands-on activities for science include field trips to locations of interest in the area. I especially enjoyed a trip to a state park to look for evidence of glacial activity.
In accordance with curriculum guidelines, we study concepts in physical science, life science, earth and space science, ecology and technology; then we test these concepts in the “laboratory”: the kitchen/dining area. We’re using the Spectrum Science series by Frank Schaffer Publications. It’s interesting to read, with brief articles on contemporary science topics, but it doesn’t excel at explaining science concepts. The series is aligned to national standards, so you know you’ll be covering curriculum requirements, but you’ll likely find yourself searching for supplementary material. Also by Frank Schaffer Publications, Science up to the Standards by Pam Walker and Elaine Wood offers experiments grouped according to branch of science, but some of the experiments call for specialized lab equipment, like a triple-beam scale. Walker and Wood’s 50 Terrific Science Experiments provides even more inexpensive experiments, easy to do at home without special equipment, but the activities are not grouped by branch of science.
Where can you find supplementary material? Reputable resources include your local library or bookstore and PBS, Discovery and National Geographic online.
Allegra's take: I don’t particularly like Spectrum Science. I find the “read the selection and answer the questions” format boring.
Science up to the Standards and 50 Terrific Science Experiments are much more engaging than the main text. They offer many experiments, though some of the instructions seem flawed: even when we followed the directions to the letter, some experiments were unsuccessful.
Other hands-on activities for science include field trips to locations of interest in the area. I especially enjoyed a trip to a state park to look for evidence of glacial activity.
