Real Science 4 Kids: After Pre-Chemistry?

[Shelsi]

I'm not too sure what to do here. We just started HSing ds in January. He's about to turn 6 next month and he's in kindy. We finished pre-chemistry about a week ago. He LOVED it and we buzzed right through it. He talks about atoms, molecules, acids & bases, etc. The other day at the playground I heard him say to a girl, "hold on a sec, I need to get my jacket, these air molecules are getting cold!" lol.

So now we've started pre-physics and he's loving that as well and I imagine we'll be done with it in 2-3 months.

The next level to these books say they are for grades 4-6. So now what? Just go on to a different science curriculum?

[kittie313]

No clue, but I'd like to hear about what you thought about pre-level 1 chemestry. I'm considering it as one of our options for fall with my girls (grades 2, 1, and 2 pre-k'ers)

[moominmamma]

I did Chemistry I and Biology I last fall with my almost-7yo. Biology was well within her grasp, but a fair bit of the chemistry went over her head. We only did these at her insistence because her older siblings had used them and they really appealed to her. She's an advanced kid (probably 3rd grade level overall, higher in math and reading), so I think the Grade 4-6 recommendation is a reasonable one.

My suggestion, which I've implemented with my own kids, is to not move onto the next level in the curriculum, but to go over the same material in different ways, using different resources. For instance, we've been reading books (fiction and non-fiction) which include various themes in the sciences, watching documentaries, taking field trips, and doing projects like testing the N content and pH of pond water, or making soap, or dyeing with mordants, or hatching chickens or growing a garden.

I find curriculum to be a very shallow way of learning compared to all these ancillary activities. My kids get some basic trivium stuff from curriculum, but science and scientific discovery really come to life for them when we add all these other experiences on top.

Miranda

[Shelsi]

Yes I thought that maybe all next year we can do extra experiments solidifying what we learned. But that still only gets me through 1st grade! Ds's reading level is right at where he should be for kindy so I don't think he'll be ready for chemistry 1 until he's at least 3rd grade assuming he doesn't suddenly take off in reading.

I like curriculums because they give me guidance. I need the structure, kwim? Maybe I'll just go back through each chapter and find more and more stuff to explore that concept. My brother is finishing up his PhD in chemistry; I'm hoping soooo much that wherever he works ds will be able to follow him around for a day and see chemistry in action.

I did just read on their website that they will have pre-geology/astronomy coming in the fall! I was a meteorology major so I'm super excited about anything geared towards earth science.

[craft_media_hero]

Well, we're doing the Chem PL1 now, very slowly with lots of supplementation, along with the Bio PL1, just switching back and forth.

I thought maybe we'd go to the Bio 1 text after the PL1s and then play it by ear as the Physics 1 and Chem 1 seem to jump up a lot in the content of the text.

Like Moominmamma said, lots of real life supplementation and experiments.

Have you looked into the Montessori science presentations? I think they are very thorough, and there are a lot of presentations available that are appropriate for younger kids.

[moominmamma]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

Yes I thought that maybe all next year we can do extra experiments solidifying what we learned. But that still only gets me through 1st grade!

Why just 1st grade? Why just experiments? Why just Chem and Physics? Why not paleontology, astronomy, anatomy, robotics, engineering, embryology, meteorology, physiology? I think you'll find that life and creativity will present opportunities that can last many years. Experiences provide fodder for more learning, rabbit trails you can run up together. The sky is the limit, really. There's plenty out there that can fill the "finished pre-L1 but not ready for L1" gap.

I mean, if you want to simply do more curriculum to feel like you're doing something structured, you could do that to fill the time, repeating things that way. But a curriculum like RS4K will already have helped ensure that none of the chem/physics basics have been omitted, and I think that deeper exploration of concepts and interests comprises a much richer education.

Miranda