Physics for The Grammar Stage ~ Review & Giveaway
Friday, June 8, 2012 at 6:30AM
Do you tend to let science come in "last place" in your homeschool?
I must admit, rather sheepishly, that I have done just that. We are dilligent about nature study and fun experiments here and there, but now that I have a child who is approaching the middle grades I feel like we should be focusing more on the "meat" of science.
Enter Physics for the Grammar Stage, published by Elemental Science.
Learning about physics from a CLASSICAL perspective has been the perfect fit for my children. We are firm believers in NARRATION, COPYWORK, and a very structured approach to learning.
The Basics of Physics for The Grammar Stage:
This curriculum is a full 36-week set of plans for physics. It is designed for your 4th and 5th graders, but it can be customized UP or DOWN. (My first grader has been learning with my fifth grader!). 18 weeks are devoted to both earth science and astronomy.
The plans for your children include vocabulary, experiments, readings, narrations, and scientist biographies. Either a 2 or 5 day schedule for assignments is included. {We have adapted this to 3 currently... as I said before, the program is FLEXIBLE.)
The student pages are simple and make SENSE. My children will listen to a reading in the Usborne Science Encyclopedia and then will narrate what they have learned. They will paste vocabulary cards into their notebooks and define terms. Then, there will be an experiment to reinforce the concept they have learned.
Our first experiment: Which weighs more - Hot or Cold Air?
A suggested list of books and resources is given in your teacher's guide. I appreciate that it is laid out by unit so I know what I will need in advance. I did go ahead and purchase two books for with this program... The Usborne Internet-Linked Science Encyclopedia and Physics Experiments for Children. All other books I have reserved from the library.
You can do more or less from the lessons given. I've found my children wanting to do more experiments, and this program allows me to fuel their curiosity.
I added the "States of Matter Poem" (suggested below) for copywork and memorization... because I have one child that loves copywork.
Our Impressions of Physics for The Grammar Stage:
The materials were laid out in a very undertandable and logical fashion. My children liked the predictabiliy of reading, narration, notebooking, experiments, etc... The experiments were quick and meaningful and didn't require much that we didn't already have in our house.
I liked being able to view the teacher's plans on my computer and know EXACTLY what was coming next. I could be scripted when that was called for, and then allow for some deeper exploration with optional experiments, memory work, and readings.
I LOVE how Elemental Science has incorporated biographies of scientists, too!
We intend to continue this program little by little throughout the summer and then resume full force once the fall is here. This will round out our homeschool and I feel CERTAIN my children are receiving a solid science education.
Most of all, I was happy to see my oldest (10) trying experiments on her own that were in the recommended experiment books. I've seen a love of science spark in her that I have not seen before. As a homeschooling mom there is no greater joy than this.
How to Order & Pricing:
Elemental Science ~ Physics for the Grammar Stage comes in two formats:
- Digital Version/includes Teacher's Guide, Student Workbook, Quizzes, and Notebook Cover - $16.50
- Printed Version/8x10 bound books of the Teacher's Guide and Student Workbook - $27.48
*I received a Digital Version for review. With this version I can print as we go and only print what we will need. The bound editions would be nice -- might save me some time with printing, etc.... This just depends upon how much preparation you want to do for these lessons. Every mom is different!
I am thankful to have science "checked off" for the next several months. Elemental Science is a welcome addition to our homeschool!
{Be sure to visit Maureen’s blog review from yesterday to learn more about Early Years Curriculum for K4/K5.}
Does all of this look interesting to you? You are in luck! Enter today to win a digital copy of Elemental Science ~ Physics for the Grammar Stage! This giveaway will be open until Tuesday, June 12th at midnight.
Leave me a comment - do you feel like you do "enough" science in your homeschool?
For extra entries:
- Follow Elemental Science on Twitter and leave me a comment.
- Visit Elemental Science's website and tell me (in a comment) which product looks good to you.
- Subscribe to Homegrown Learners so we can stay in touch - let me know in a comment.
I received this product for review and was compensated for my time. I strive to provide honest reviews and do not let compensation affect my opinions . For further information, see my disclosure policy.
Reader Comments (44)
I follow Elembental Science on Twitter
I would like to try this Physics program but also Biology for Grammar stage
I keep trying to "do" more science, but I have yet to buy a curriculum.... I need to, so we can get in a better routine.
We have had a hard time being consistent with science, yet our daughter is pretty science minded so she seems to naturally gravitate toward the scientific. Just this morning she spent the morning researching how to tap sugar maples for maple syrup (sigh). I obviously need to step up my game! Last year, we took a semester going through the history of the periodic table.
I follow Elemental Science on Twitter as @camomus
Thanks for this giveaway...I've subscribed to you!
We are currently using Explore Science and Biology for the Grammar Stage. My kids love the content and I love the flexibility of it. I am debating using two different subjects ( Physics and Earth Science) next year for my 5th grader, 2nd grader, and K students or teach one subject (Physics) and modify it for each age.
We had a program last year but it wasn't very exciting - no experiments, just reading. So I have been looking at Elemental Science over the past few weeks and think it looks really cool!
I've been looking at Elemental Science recently and then found your website. What serendipity! I always like to hear good reviews of something before I make the decision to purchase.
We love the Elemental Science materials. I used Biology for the logic stage this past year, and really enjoyed it.
science is always pushed aside for more math or Reading. We need to do more (and plan on it)
I'm thinking about getting Biology for this coming year, looks great!
I subscribe to your emails, thanks!
We do lots of science here! However, I have been looking for a curriculum that goes a little more in depth than what we used last year. This sounds like it might fit the bill.
I currently use Exploring Creation and nature study. I was a scientist and science teacher bef homeschooling- I could do science all day!
I used to think we did a good job with Science until I realized how important the labs/experiments were to their thorough learning. One of my goals for this coming school year is to faithfully complete the labs/experiments so that my kids get a complete Science learning experience. Thanks for the chance to win!
bamagv at aol dot com
Not enough physics, that's for sure!
I feel like we only do just enough science. I want to do more, but it takes so much time to find experiments that are fun and educational and go along with what we are learning and aren't something we have already done. I've been wanting to try Elemental Science, it seems like it would be a good fit.
We have used the other elemental science books in our homeschool and have loved them. Science does sometimes get shoved to the rear of things, but this system is easy to follow and quick to pick up at a moments notice. It's very doable.