so exicted!!! need resources!

[b&c'smama]

We just started hs our 8y.o. ds, who really doesn't like most "school" subjects. He is very kinesthetic and has a great imagination. He is a very reluctant reader and reading doesn't come easily for him and he gets discouraged. He does well with math, but still doesn't want to do it. Same with art, learning about history, etc... What he really loves to do is play pretend, legos and ride his bike and scooter.

So imagine my exictement when he got REALLY jazzed about a couple of simple science experiments we have done. He LOVED them!!! He wanted to do them over and over, and even showed his friend when he came over for a playdate!
This may really be a way for him to get engaged and excited about learning.

So I would love books and web sites with good science experiments! I would appreciate any all of you smart mamas could recommend!

Thanks!

[*Jessica*]

Wondernet has free science activities for the elementary years.

Chemistry.org/kids also has free science activities.


I'll let the experts address the rest of your post, but I'm going to guess they suggest some deschooling.

[b&c'smama]

Thank you Jessica, your point about deschooling is a good one. I will check out the science links you gave me.

[elizawill]

i've not used all of these sites but i had them bookmarked....so maybe they will be helpful. i hope so.


http://msnucleus.org/membership/index.html

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/projects.html


http://www.proteacher.com/110053.shtml

http://www.scienceproject.com/projec...elementary.asp

http://www.col-ed.org/cur/science.html

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/?gclid...FQ9wZQodFhomcA

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/art...-projects.html

i also have the big book of everything for kindergarten by instructional fair, which has hands-on projects divided by subject. they probably have the big book of everything for your son's grade too. i bet there would be lots of great ideas for experiments in it. mine is wondeful, and i got it off amazon super cheap!

[mom2ponygirl]

We got a book from the library Gonzo Gizmos - projects to bring out your inner geek - I think was the title. Lots of experiments and things to build with stuff around the house and occasional hardware store visits. This link - http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/investigations.htm has tons of internet sites, not all science, to look through. There are plenty of gems among them. Also the book 'Whoosh, Boom, Splat' - for stuff like marshmellow cannons, etc.

The homeschoolbuyersco-op.com is having a group by on CyberEd science, very interactive, graphic science courses. Check the demos first though to see if they may be a bit much yet for your 8 yr. old. The Earth science, physical, and life science courses are more middle school/jr. high level and the others are high school level. Don't let that scare you off though if he finds them interesting he should be fine with the 3 lower level courses - just may not retain all of it. The homeschool buyer's co-op also has lists of free resources that may be worth searching through.

Good luck, have fun!

[Wilhemina]

Here are the two books we turn to most for demonstration ideas:

http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Big-Bo...9530219&sr=8-1

and

http://www.amazon.com/Science-Wizard...9530469&sr=1-2

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by *Jessica*

Wondernet has free science activities for the elementary years.

Chemistry.org/kids also has free science activities.

YUM! What wonderful sites! I can't wait to get those into my science link page!

And lookie what I found in the chemistry.org/kids page:

Apples, Bubbles and Crystals - Your Science ABC's:
"Young children can discover the wonders of science as they study the alphabet! Cute creatures representing each letter of the alphabet introduce a science topic with a fun rhyme. Then they show children how to do a related science activity. Children will be eager to try the fun safe science activities that demonstrate that science all around them."

I looked it up on Amazon and found rave reviews on it. You can even "look inside" it there. But it costs less than half as much through the chemistry site - go figure!


Lillian

[*Jessica*]

Another one..... http://www.newtonsapple.tv/ScienceTryIts_Index.php

[Lillian J]

decompression/deschooling & another science links page

How strange! I coulda' sworn I posted this already after reading Jessica's comment about deschooling - but it's nowhere to be found. Maybe I accidentally posted it in some other thread ! Was having so much fun clicking on everybody's links - and have had entirely too much strong coffee already today!

Anyway, here you go - this leads to MDC discussion and links to good articles on the subject: decompression/deschooling

OH! And be sure to look through my page of annotated links to fun science sites!

- Lillian

[Lillian J]

Boy, I'm really into Ditzyland this morning : . Just got around to slowing down and reading your original post.

ou might also take a look through my annotated links to interesting pages on math, history, and reading - you'll find them in the menu of this Homeschooling Gateway to the Internet. I think those other things can gradually , eventually, come to be a lot more interesting for him.

I sure wouldn't worry about the reading issue at this point, though. That will come along as he finds more and more things he wants to get content out of. I read to my son for pleasure till he was 12 - but nonfiction was something he pursued on his own in order to look up things he enjoyed. Vicki Cobb's books, such as Bet You Can, and Bet You Can't, were well read favorites.

But decompression/deschooling is absolutely essential at this point.

Lillian

[b&c'smama]

Thank you all for the great resources. I will also definitely read up more on deschooling/decompressing.

Off do do some web surfing, and then to play at the park... its a beautiful day here in the Northwest!

Thanks