That is the million dollar question at the moment for me!

The problem is doing the experiments. More specifically finding all the stuff you need for the experiments. And who can do science without the experiments? Definitely, not my son!

If I could plan far enough ahead, I might be able to do it. But, let’s face reality. Planning far ahead for school is not my strong suit. So, we might get reading done for science, but not experiments.

I think I might have found a solution.

Little Professor Science Kits

See the little bags. Those little bags contain everything that is needed for each experiment. And I do mean everything, including scissors & tape. They boast that the kit has everything you need except the water. And the little bags are divided by experiment, with a label indicating which one. The journal has a page (or two) for each experiment with questions they have to answer about that experiment. These are not only what happened questions, but why questions to help them think through the scientific method. It also has a mini science project board, for the child to go into more detail on the experiments.

If you do two experiments per week, the kit should last for 6 weeks. The goal is to do 4 kits per school year of each science area, chemistry, life science, physical science & earth science. At the end of each kit, the child goes onto their website to take a test. Kids can earn prizes based on their test results.

With all that said, I only bought one kit, because I do have some hesitations. The kits are expensive. They are $84.95 on the website. I got a 10% discount at the convention. I don’t usually buy expensive stuff at the convention without thinking about it more. But, my son was having such a great time at their booth, that I felt like it might be worth the expense. And I rationalized it by saying everything I need for the experiments is in the kit. I will not have to go looking for anything. That is worth something. Plus, it looks like something my son can mostly do on his own, which has it’s own value.

Now that I am looking at it more, I have another concern. The journal seems to be very light on the actual learning. It has some great experiments, but there doesn’t seem to be alot of info. I think I will need to supplement with some reading and notebooking. In all fairness, the lady who designed the program said if something sparks their interest to go to the library and check out books about the subject. So, I think I might not wait for the interest to spark, but just assign extra reading. Then we’ll go from there.

One more thought, just to let you know. This is not taught from a creationist viewpoint. This is ok in this kit. It is dealing with polymers. So, I don’t really see a need for it. Not that I don’t see a need for God in science, because I definitely see a need for that. But this kit is only dealing with actual nuts and bolts of science, not theories behind it. If that makes any sense.

So, to sum it all up…Did I make a good choice? I am not sure. I think this is one of those things where you have to try it to see if you actually like it. So, I will let you know. I will also be sure to give you my son’s perspective on it, too.

In the meantime, I need to get started planning other subjects, so that we can actually get started on school this year. But, that will happen in due time! I have to quote Scarlett again, “Tomorrow is another day!”

From one snowflake to another,
Alicia

My name is Alicia and I have a problem. I am addicted to books!

At the moment, I have books piled everywhere. Books in the living room. Books in the bedroom. Books on the dining room table.

So, what am I going to do about it?????

Well, I am going to look at more books!

I am headed to a homeschool convention with a friend. I love homeschool conventions! Besides the books, it is encouraging to be around other homeschoolers. My friend has never been. So, I hope it will be an encouraging day for her. She could use it!

A quick story, though, before I go….

We actually drove to a hotel close to the convention center last night so we would not have to deal with rush hour traffic this morning. Well once we got to the hotel, we had to change rooms TWICE.

The toilet did not work in the first room. Then the air conditioner did not work in the second one. So, we finally got a room to work.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one having problems, though. When I went down the second time, there was another gentleman complaining about the sheets in his room. He was angry and said “this is the worst hotel I have ever stayed at”. I just thought the whole thing was funny.

Maybe, I’m too nice. I don’t know. But, I just didn’t think it was worth getting all upset about. I wasn’t going to let it ruin my fun.

Anyway, I am now off to go look at more books!

Yes, I know I have a problem with books. But, right now I don’t really care. I’ll do something about it later! As Scarlett said, “Tomorrow is another day!”