Welcome to today’s edition of Top 5 Resources. Today’s theme is all about science. I find that home educators tend to fall into three categories. The first is people who don’t do science experiments for fear of getting messy and/or blowing something up. The second is people who mix baking soda and vinegar together and call that science. And the third are people who genuinely understand science. Regardless of where you fall, there’s something on this list for you! If you have a suggestion for the top 5 resources theme, please let me know!
Newton’s Apple is a program on public television in Minnesota. This website has tons of videos, a teacher’s area with lesson plans and activities, and of course our favorite “Try This at Home”. This is a great and informative general science site.
2. Tip: Your Local Science Museum
The nifty thing about science educators is that they love to educate. . .about science! Most museums have grant supported outreach programs. Our local science museum, The New York Hall of Science, has a library where you can check out various equipment to perform experiments. Check around in your local area for the nearest science museum and ask if they have a library. For us, we have to become members to use their library. Membership costs about $125 but considering that some of the equipment they’re lending out costs as much if not more than that–it’s a great deal! (And did I mention that this all comes with lesson plans and such?) Call your local science museum to find out about outreach programs.
3. Ology!
Ology is the kids’ education website of the American Museum of Natural History. Science is split up into subjects and the site is completely interactive with animation and sounds. Kids can collect “cards” on the site by completing different tasks. This is an all around fantastic resource. (And for a good laugh make sure you check out this song on bioluminescence!)
Another fantastic show demystifying the mysteries of science. The website is full of videos and activities. Definitely worth a look.
5. My favorite books for general science!
Truth be told, I have two favorite series that make up the bulk of my own science curriculum. The first is the Internet linked Usborne Science Encyclopedias. For general science in the elementary/middle grades there is a larger encyclopedia but for earlier reading there are smaller, subject specific encyclopedias. It’s really a must have in my book.
My second pick is anything by Janice Van Cleave. She has such a great way of writing information in a way that is easily understood by parents and kids. She has written several experiment books and then more subject specific books in her “. . .For Every Kid” series.