The Thomas Institute: homeschooling, education, teaching, parenting, only child, family life, libertarian, conservative, politics

Monday, June 18, 2007

Real Science 4 Kids

Last month, I went to the Arlington homeschool book fair with the intention of getting certain things and that was to be it. Well, I didn't end up getting the things I went after and instead brought home some things that I had never heard of.

The main thing I did buy was Real Science 4 Kids' Pre-level 1 Chemistry. I was actually looking for a science curriculum for Thomas--or at least some ideas. And when I came across RS4K, I could not walk away. It is 100% what the name says it is. The language is at the appropriate level for primary grade students and there are plenty of illustrations. But it is not a comic book. It doesn't talk down to the kids. And, importantly, it is not watered-down science.

I bought the whole package, which includes the student book, the parent book, and the lab workbook. The author is a scientist and homeschooling mom. She is one of those rare people who really understands the level that kids at different ages are working at. She is working on texts for Chemistry, Physics, and Biology at three different levels.

There is a helpful Yahoo User's Group associated with RS4K.
Is RS4K secular or Creation-based?
Tests and answer keys for many of the books are available free.
Recommended (either by the author or by experienced RS4K users) supplemental books include The Thinking Toolbox,Fallacy Detective, and How to Think Like a Scientist.

Update: Another frequently recommended book, especially at the lower elementary level, is "What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew?" Also, I wanted to point out that you can get the Real Science 4 Kids line at Amazon and save a few dollars.