Teaching evolution

[Calidris]

Does anyone have suggestions for good resources for teaching evolution to a 5 year old?

DD is interested in learning more about evolution, but I am having a hard time explaining things properly at her level (probably because we have not really touched on concepts of genetics and inheritance yet). And of course there is the difficulty of explaining the geological time scale to a child who can't quite fathom months yet :

I have looked though and bought a few books on Amazon, which are quite nice, but just don't tackle what she is really into (dinosaurs, and the evolution of horses).

[dotnetdiva]

We went through prehistory this summer, starting with the big bang, universe/earth ages, first life, evolution, all the fun ages like cambrian, through the dinosaurs, and just getting into the Ice Age now. Evolution was a great intro to animals - from fish to amphibians to reptiles to mammals and birds!

I researched all the best evolution books for ages 4-8, we watched some great movies, did lots of activities and more! It was so much fun.

We covered evolution/Darwin in our lesson 2:
http://satorismiles.com/curriculum/p...tory-lesson-2/

All Prehistory stuff here:
http://satorismiles.com/curriculum/prehistory/

And our actual day-too-day blog posts that are tagged "evolution":
http://satorismiles.com/tag/evolution

I've been revamping my blog all week, if you have any questions, let me know!

[dotnetdiva]

Oh, we are covering the evolution of horses and elephants this week!

We read a few math books to cover the concept of millions and billions, as well as did a few timelines. I think she's got a pretty good grasp for a 4 year old how very, very long ago some of this stuff happened.

Have fun!

[umbrella]

We like this book. I think we got it when our dd1 was about that age.

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Earth-Evo...2100789&sr=1-2

[Calidris]

Dotnetdiva your blog is amazing! And very inspiring, I think that part of my problem is that i have not taken any sort of systematic approach to it. I need to work on that.

And umbrella, that book looks really good. Amazon says it's an audiobook. Is it really? The reviews don't seem to mention it, and they talk about art style and so on.

[dotnetdiva]

Oh, the book Umbrella mentioned is also a book, and one of my absolute favorites at that! The book makes more sense, as it does have some cool art stuff, but it rocks at explaining what evolution is and how it works. Actually, I think it was mislabeled as an audio book on Amazon!

If you have a Netflix subscription, or want some amazing videos, the Walking With Monsters DVD (out of Walking with Dinosaurs), is wonderful, I think we've watched it over a dozen times this summer. It shows the Cambrian up to the dinosaurs and how creatures evolved.

[lach]

I haven't personally seen the products, but I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the stuff from Charlie's Playhouse: http://www.charliesplayhouse.com/

[Calidris]

oooh thank you thank you!! My brother showed me that site last year and then we both lost the link.

[dotnetdiva]

Yeah, we have the Charlie Playhouse products and love them! I took a video of my daughter running along the timeline, she memorized all the important events during our very first look at it, even better than I did! We got on the Charlie Playhouse blog for our video.

[lotusdebi]

I've been looking at the Charlie's Playhouse items since they were reviewed by Secular Homeschooling magazine. They're having a sale through the 8th - 20% off - so I finally bought the timeline mat and the cards. We're doing prehistory next year.

[Calidris]

precisely the items I am looking at.

[umbrella]

Originally Posted by Calidris

Dotnetdiva your blog is amazing! And very inspiring, I think that part of my problem is that i have not taken any sort of systematic approach to it. I need to work on that.

And umbrella, that book looks really good. Amazon says it's an audiobook. Is it really? The reviews don't seem to mention it, and they talk about art style and so on.

Huh, I hadn't noticed that when I linked it. I poked around some more, and don't see a different version. We have just a hardback book, no audiobook.

[sebarnes]

Originally Posted by dotnetdiva

Oh, the book Umbrella mentioned is also a book, and one of my absolute favorites at that! The book makes more sense, as it does have some cool art stuff, but it rocks at explaining what evolution is and how it works. Actually, I think it was mislabeled as an audio book on Amazon!

If you have a Netflix subscription, or want some amazing videos, the Walking With Monsters DVD (out of Walking with Dinosaurs), is wonderful, I think we've watched it over a dozen times this summer. It shows the Cambrian up to the dinosaurs and how creatures evolved.

Walking with Monsters is really, really nice for introducing the concept of evolution and what it means. DD is 4 1/2 and loves, loves, loves this movie (and the whole series as well). Really, the whole Walking With series deals with evolution, but Walking with Monsters goes the most in depth for animals, and Walking with Prehistoric Beasts does the best job for the evolution of man. At least in my opinion

[mum21andtwins]

I love that!
Is the book timeline doublesided? I'm thinking which one would suit us best....

[PGTlatte]

Here are some books I like:

The Tree of Life - The Wonders of Evolution by Ellen Jackson
Ape by Martin Jenkins (not specific to evolution but the five great apes and a really beautiful book)
The Cartoon History of the Earth series by Jacqui Bailey
Life on Earth - The Story of Evolution by Steve Jenkins

[dotnetdiva]

The Charlie Timeline has the timeline on one side, it is LONG! On the other side are games to use the timeline. We got the floor one and it is soo worth the investment.

We're watching Watching with Prehistoric Beasts this week. Her favorite so far is still the Walking With Monsters! Later this month, she can't wait to cover "early humans", she talks about it all the time. Then, we'll watch Walking With Cavemen.

Also fun cartoonish books, similar to Cartoon History of the Earth, are the When Bugs Were Big and When Fish Got Feet. These were easy to find in Europe, but I think now they're finally getting to the US.
http://www.amazon.com/Plants-Strange.../dp/079226326X
http://www.amazon.com/Plants-Strange.../dp/079226326X

My daughter now wants to be a Paleontologist and we can't wait to make a trip to the Galapagos someday.

[wdube]

DS1 has been asking about evolution lately, too. I'm so glad I saw this thread. I just ordered the map!

THANKS!

[Calidris]

Originally Posted by dotnetdiva

Later this month, she can't wait to cover "early humans", she talks about it all the time. Then, we'll watch Walking With Cavemen.

(I just got walking with Cavemen )

If you haven't yet, preview it first, the first episode is pretty intense, with the death of a mother (Lucy). Might be hard on little kids.

[sebarnes]

Originally Posted by Calidris

(I just got walking with Cavemen )

If you haven't yet, preview it first, the first episode is pretty intense, with the death of a mother (Lucy). Might be hard on little kids.

You know, dd does just fine with all of the death in the Walking With series and other nature shows as well, but honestly, they depress me to no end I know it's the cycle of life and the way of nature and all that, but I can't help projecting my own feelings into the situation. I'm a wimp, what can I say?

[mum21andtwins]

is the walking with series the one from the bbc? I assume it is. ds1 enjoyed the dinosaur one I haven't looked in to the other ones