People are always asking me about what Charlotte Mason science resources I use.
I have a bit of trouble believing most people will ever use (or remember) all of the technical baloney taught in most advanced science textbooks. Unless a child is destined to attend a competitive college, a round of these complicated, expensive courses is a waste of time and money.
Why not try it out before you buy?
Besides, my children and I have always enjoyed learning about science out of love and interest rather than compulsion to learn technical mumbo-jumbo.
Sounds a bit illiterate, I know, but I don’t believe I am the only one who feels this way, although you would never know it by all of the blogging and vlogging on the subject. Seems we homeschoolers have abandoned the ability to think out of the college-prep box. This comes from a fear that our children will not be up-to-snuff for the college stuff.
(Certainly there are reasons for studying such things, especially for those going into a profession that requires them. But just ask any person slogging it out in a cubicle in some office building with a sheepskin pinned to the wall and they will not be able to recall what they learned. This is a waste, in my humble opinion, but since no one has been asking we will move on…)
While keeping with the idea that science should be a delight, there is nothing harmful about putting a bit of method to it. The ideals of Charlotte Mason are our guide here:
Education Is An Atmosphere, A Discipline, A Life.
Around here we do it in some simple, inexpensive ways. And this is not just for the wee years or the “grammar” years, no sir, we keep enjoying all through high school 🙂
I am in rebel territory, I know.
Here are links to a number of the books we use. If you click through and buy them I will get a little kick back, which Amazon has asked me to explain like this:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you dare, watch this video and download the free pages that follow.
Here are the notebooking page downloads:
Exploring the History of Medicine notebooking pages
Exploring the World Around You notebooking pages
Exploring the World of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Mathematics notebooking pages
Bethlehem Books Science notebooking pages
Christian Liberty Nature Readers notebooking pages
I’m wondering how you have handled high school science. I’m sure it varies from student to student but have you used these books with high schoolers? Would you just allow them to choose what interests them?
Yes, honestly, I have and they have enjoyed them. Of course, if they were serious about a specific career that would require rigorous science curriculum we would probably use some different resources.
I really enjoyed this post. Thank you! I was wondering if you could share what some of those different resources would be if your high schooler had a specific interest in science. I am struggling to find something that is still enjoyable and relaxed and not too rigorous that may destroy the love of learning science. Thank you for your wisdom!
I do believe there are books around that broach that subject. I would look for the ones under “relaxed homeschooling” or “unschooling.”
Thank you so very much!
This is such a timely post! I was about to try to incorprate a science curriculmn that I know will just get pushed to the side after a few weeks. These books fit so much better with our style of homeschool.
I understand how science gets pushed to the side (for me it means we are having such a fun time doing all sorts of other important things). So glad this helps 🙂
Sherry, you are such a blessing & an encouragement to me. I am so thankful for Titus 2 ladies like you in this dark world where often times young women don’t have any Biblical models of womanhood in their day to day lives…church included. Being a homemaker, wife, mother, homeschooler, & a conservative Christian are taboos in many circles. I feel like I know you personally because of your God given sweet spirit & manner of speaking directly to each of your followers. There are so many isolated ladies out there doing the best they can to be what Gods word calls them to be who appreciate you and are thankful for your friendship. We are in a supernatural battle everyday. Thank you for putting on your armor & fighting the good fight. On days when the world says we are crazy & it feels like the deck is stacked against us I rejoice in knowing that if God be for us, who can be against us. Thank you again for reminding me that Gods path is always the right path even when the going gets tough. You are a light…a city on a hill that can’t be hidden. Hopefully this encourages you a little bit to repay you for the countless days that only you, my husband, & the word of God have been there to encourage me. Love you & I am praying for you & your family!
I cannot explain how significant your comment has been to me! I have been crying tears of joy and gratitude this morning. Bless you 🙂
I truly believe that God puts people in your path to help ease the burdens of this life’s journey & help add a little joy & uplifting along the way. You are one of those people for me! I just wanted you to know what an impact your ministry has had on my life! If I don’t meet you on this side of Heaven I will be looking for you on the other side to hug your neck! Lol Thank you again, also in tears!
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
I’m one of those who always ask about science and history! ☺️
Thank you so much! I had never heard of the “exploring…” series, and I love how they are on kindle too.
Didn’t realize they are on Kindle–how fun! Glad I could finally address your questions 🙂
Those note booking pages for the CLNRs and The History of Medicine are an answer to prayer!
I had been planning on having my son keep journals for those this year but wanted something nicer than a spiral notebook but that could be holepunched. Perfect. Thank you so much for sharing!
That’s great! So glad you could use them 🙂
Ten days! That is how long it took me to get back here to comment. I cannot express what an impact this post made on me. It literally threw me into a 10-day whirlwind. I had one of those moments. You know the ones where you finally “get it”. Charlotte Mason calls them an idea.
I realized what was missing from our homeschool when you used a word that you so often and naturally use, but the significance of that word hit me.
Relaxed!
There are many days that I would not call our homeschool environment “relaxed”. Oh, we may be learning, but the atmosphere is definitely not relaxed and we may not be enjoying what we’re doing. When you described what a relaxed approach to science looks like, I wondered what it would look like in other subjects.
I already use the Lesson Books with McGuffey’s for language arts and, after trying it for a year, I quickly became a believer in that approach to language arts. It is definitely relaxed and complete.
I thought, “Could teaching science really be that easy and fun, too? Especially in high school.” So, I decided to jump in and try it. I purchased the Exploring Science Series from Master Books. The downloadable versions are only $5.99! I love these books.
As I began to plan our upcoming year, I realized that my approach to science has always been a safe one. I think many moms can relate. Once you laid the foundation for a better way and provided the tools and resources for success, it helped me see that safe is not best and I was actually depriving my children of a far better education.
After revamping our approach to science, I began to see other subjects in a new light and began brainstorming what those subjects would look like if they were approached in a relaxed way but with a method. It was so freeing! Thank you, Sherry, for sharing your wisdom and experience. You are truly a blessing!
I also enjoyed the many comments on this post and shed a few tears right along with you all.
Wow–what an amazing comment! Thank you for taking the time to share the joy of your new-found freedom 🙂 I hope this year is your best yet!
Thank you for all of your encouraging posts. Many times I get uptight and a little stressed about not purchasing more expensive curriculum options. However, every time I visit your site I am encouraged and realize I can do it with less expensive options. I appreciate your dedication and encouragement. You have no idea what a blessing you are.
That’s wonderful to hear, Kimberly :). I love being a part of encouraging other moms!
Thank you so much for making this available and for your encouragement. I already had some of these books sitting on a shelf. I will be using your pages for the Exploring Planet Earth book for this 2nd half of the school year. I was looking for something to get us out of a mid-winter rut.
You are so welcome! Love the winter months after Christmas because we can finally get into a rhythm 😛
Thank you so much for the downloads. You’re really a blessing to us.
I’m tickled they were helpful 🙂
I love this!
Thank you!
Hi Sherry! I enjoy your resources and help. I have a question. I have some of those books already and just didn’t know if these would be ok for high school credit to graduate. How do you give credit for these. Is it from adding the other resources? My high schoolers aren’t on college path but leaning more technical or entrepreneur. So I feel that these would be perfect. I just didn’t know how to go about it. Blessings, Morgan
I believe you could just call them an overview of the different subjects and that should be fine.