Feb

15

Book Review 1: Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers

February 15, 2012 | Leave a Comment

By: Rebecca Miller
The Sandwiched Homeschooler

Book Review 1

Name: Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers
Written by: Susan Kilbride
Price: $16.95 U.S.

Recently I received a copy of the book, Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers (Ages 4-13), from Susan Kilbride to review and I am happy to oblige her request—not only because she asked me to provide a fair and honest review of her book, but because I am constantly looking for resources to recommend to homeschoolers, especially new homeschoolers who tend to be nervous about curriculum and “getting it right” with lessons, supplements and activities.

Ms. Kilbride’s book contains 20 science units on various topics—10 units for children aged 4-7 and 10 units for kids aged 8-13—and each unit provides some overview on the topics which is then followed by experiments to enhance and reinforce the child’s understanding of that topic.

Ms. Kilbride’s book does a few things; it (1) provides a comprehensive list at the beginning of each unit for material which will be needed; (2) is written for parents (educators) who may not have a strong background in science; (3) may be adapted or modified to use with multiple-aged children at the same time; and (4) may be used as a supplement to a current science program, as 1 year stand-alone science program or a spring board for field trip ideas.

1. Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers provides a comprehensive list at the beginning of each unit for material which will be needed to complete the experiments.

One of the things that I found to be a huge plus for this book is that many of the materials needed to complete the experiments are items that are generally found around your house, at a hardware store or by a friend which may be using these items on a regular basis—meaning that the items can be easily and inexpensively located. For example, if you are no longer using baby bottles, this item has several inexpensive ways to be acquired—simply by asking another young homeschooling family, a church with a nursery, or a local daycare for a couple of empty jars.

*Items that I would not personally consider readily available “household” items were the following (and I only found 3): iron fillings, larger magnets, and a microscope. Ms. Kilbride has handled these 3 specific items by noting suggestions of where to acquire them, along with providing addresses and/or telephone numbers. And in your home, depending on how much you and/or your kids are “into science”, you may already have these items.

2. This science unit study and experiment (lab) containing book is written for parents (educators) who may not have a strong background in science.

I find this an especially important for homeschooling parents who are nervous or concerned about their ability to “remember [their] own previous science class information” and for those who claim “science was not my forte in school”. Her directions for the experiments/activities are written in a clear and easy to follow manner.

So, no worries; if science “is not your thing”, this book covers enough various units that you don’t have to worry about trying to find topics and/or experiments for a school year. This book covers that for you.

But the beauty of Ms. Kilbride’s writing is that even if you are on the opposite side of that spectrum—you are that rocket scientist—you will find that the topics of Ms. Kilbride’s units are still interesting, educationally sound, and fun to do with children.

The flexibility of Ms. Kilbride’s writing renders this book useful to both levels of scientific experience.

And probably one of the more interesting perks of this book, especially if you live in a homeschooling state which requires for you to keep a portfolio of your child’s school work, the majority of experiments/activities will allow for wonderful photos to be kept on file (or even posted to a blog!). For the last 10 units, written for older kids, Ms. Kilbride also includes a 10 question, multiple choice format, type of unit quiz—another item which could be added easily to a homeschooler’s portfolio folder.

One more thing which I like in Ms. Kilbride’s book is that she also includes important warnings (for equipment use and children to be supervised) and danger reminders for both the educators (food allergies) and children (that while vitamins may look and taste like candy, they can be very dangerous if not taken correctly).

3. This science unit book may be adapted or modified to use with multiple-aged children at the same time.

While Ms. Kilbride has written this book for a targeted age group (4-13), and separating the units by age (4-7 and 8-13), it would not take too much effort to instruct (with minor modifications) both age groups within the same unit. As if Ms. Kilbride is aware that this may happen on occasion with a parent who did not have the time one week to plan out separate units due to time constraints, she has included a couple of units which are similar for both the younger and older age levels—topics which could easily be overlapped or combined for both age groups: insects, animal/animal ecology, and plants.

4. And last, Ms. Kilbride’s science book may be used as a supplement to a current science program, as 1 year stand-alone science program or a spring board for field trip ideas.

This science book could easily be used for lessons and activities in multiple settings by: a homeschool family, a co-op science class, or within a traditional classroom.

Ms. Kilbride’s book would be a nice supplement for science programs from Abeka, Alpha Omega, Bob Jones and Rod & Staff, as these programs, if my memory serves me, include several of the topics covered in this book: animals, insects, weather, simple machines, force and motions, health, stars and planets, and magnets. Unschoolers or eclectic homeschoolers (especially in a co-op setting) will like that Ms. Kilbride’s units are about topics which kids will enjoy venturing in to. (Most of the kids who I come into contact with at these ages are fascinated with these topics—and cannot get enough hands-on opportunities and learning experiences about these areas.)

This book is not written in a religious format, but in an all-inclusive manner.

Homeschoolers are notorious for our love of field trips—and the use of these units will open follow-up field trips to: nature centers, pet stores, farms, planetariums, museums, bug safaris, local green houses, farmers’ markets, Beekeeper, zoos and more.

The only “down” side that I found to Ms. Kilbride’s book is that it stopped at the target age of 13. I would be very interested in a book for high school aged kids using a similar format of materials easily found at home to use for experiments.

To see some samples of Ms. Kilbride’s book:

Plants for ages 4-7:
http://funtasticunitstudies.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/plant-chapter.pdf

Atoms & Molecules for ages 8-13:
http://funtasticunitstudies.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/atoms-and-molecules-chapter.pdf

And to visit Ms. Kilbride’s website:
http://funtasticunitstudies.files.wordpress.com/

Freebies at Ms. Kilbride’s site:
http://funtasticunitstudies.com/freebies/

Thank you, Ms. Kilbride, for the opportunity to review your book.

–Rebecca Miller
The Sandwiched Homeschooler

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http://a2zhomeschool.com/thesandwichedhomeschooler/book-review-1/

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