Do I Really Need to Teach Science in my Homeschool
In a word — yes! Science helps us to learn about the works of the wonderful world God has created for us to live in.
Child development experts have shown that children learn best by experiencing with all of their senses. Science is multi-sensory; that is, science incorporates all of the five sense: smelling, hearing, feeling, seeing, and (sometimes) tasting. Science incorporates tactile or hands-on learning.
Multi-sensory experiencing shouldn’t stop at kindergarten and become replaced with textbooks and workbooks!
Why Should I Waste My Precious Time Experimenting When I Teach Science?
Children of all ages very rarely understand a subject completely just by reading about it. In Jane Hoffman’s book, The Original Backyard Scientist, the forward tells the importance of experiments in relation to child development. It states: “The study of science provides the child with all the necessary ingredients needed for active learning and cognitive growth. Therefore, it is one of the best avenues through which the child can learn about the world around him.”
Granted, it would be much easier just to tell the child, “A grapefruit and vinegar are both sour,” but doing helps the child remember.
What Are Some Other Subjects That Science Encompasses?
Science encompasses reading, comprehension, writing, spelling, mathematics, history, and critical thinking. Just doing one science project or unit study can encompass all those subjects and more.
Can You Give Me an Example of a Unit Study?
Yes- here’s a thumbnail sketch of a Geology Unit we studied which demonstrates how many subjects and though processes are naturally incorporated.
- I read aloud and we discussed books on geology.
- The children retold the information using their own words.
- They read books independently on the subject.
- From the books we read, we formed a list of spelling and vocabulary words.
- Then wee made sentences out of these words for our grammar.
- Geography was covered as we graphed information on a world map and studied famous geologists of the past.
- For Bible, we read Genesis 1:1-31 alongside parts of Streams of Civilization, comparing evolution and creation through historical perspective.
- They loved classifying rocks into types and organizing a rock collection.
- Classical music from the periods we studied helped keep an historical perspective.
Experiments in a Unit Study
From my Geology Unit, I used experiments from several sources.
Using the scientific method, the children placed drops of lemon and vinegar on different pieces of stone, then observed the results. Previous knowledge told them that vinegar and lemon are sour. The children now expanded their base of knowledge by learning that vinegar and lemon are acids. They used reasonoing and logical thinking skills to deduce the effect that acid has on rocks.
When a child does experiments, it helps build the character traits of confidence, attentiveness, perseverance, cooperation, and more.
In conclusion, teaching science in your homeschool is an important part of growing your child’s character, their knowledge of their Creator, and cooperation among their siblings. It’s well worth your time.
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About Our Books:
Why should you teach your children about Creation? Because everything else they read that is remotely science related teaches evolution as FACT. Shouldn’t your children learn there is more than one side to the story? Do you want your child to be informed? We do and we consider this our mission at Media Angels.
About the Study Guides:
These study guides include a readable outline of the main points in the Creation vs. evolution discussion, the major talking points you should know and ways to educate the children in these points with hands-on activities and experiments. This series isn’t a read-it-one-time and forget it! This series will be repeated again and again and is for K-12th!
If you want a course in Creation Apologetics for kids, this is it!
Additional Resources
Activity Packs for each of the study guides which contain hands on activities you can photo copy for your family.
Creation Kids Classes: On Demand
-Six weeks worth of classes — one per week for ages K-8th grade (high school if you’ve never studied Creation).
-Audio Recordings
-Handouts and Websites to visit
-Further research
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