Science is one of those subjects that I rely upon a quality curriculum to help me teach, especially when it comes to conducting science labs and experiments. So, I was very excited to get a chance to review Introductory Science Level A from Science Shepherd. The author of Science Shepherd is Scott Hardin, MD. He is a homeschooling dad of 6 and a medical doctor. As we began using it, my daughter and I became more and more excited with each new lesson, and I'll explain why in this review.
What is Science Shepherd Introductory Science?
Introductory Science is an online video instruction-based curriculum with corresponding student workbook and Answer Key. It is a creation science-focused biblical worldview perspective and is intended to be used five days a week for 36 weeks, with fairly short daily lessons. For the purposes of the review, I was asked to complete at least four weeks of material. We finished more.
With the online videos, we loved the instructor's voice. He is so easy to listen to, soothing and not annoying. He also presented an occasional graphic, but it was a real picture and not some kid-level attempt at trying to stoop down to the child's level.
We also love how he interjects scripture into everything but backs it up with research. In one of the early lessons, he showed how many of the famous scientists were devout believers, explains how the flood would have produced fossils of complete animals like have been discovered, with a rapid rise in water, and refers to the difference between billion and billions of years and thousands of years as would be the case if the Bible is literal.
We thoroughly enjoyed every lesson!
Take a Look at How Using this Curriculum Looked at our Homeschool:
Will the paper towel inside the cup stay dry or get wet? Why?
Magnetizing Objects:
I received access to online video lessons, a student book and an Answer Key.
The on-line access is for one full year to allow you to finish the lessons at your own pace. The curriculum provides a supplies list that you need to conduct the experiments you choose to do, but everything I needed I already had at home.
The lessons cover:
The Introductory Science is intended for students ages 6-11, and you have a choice of workbook levels A (Ages 6-8) or B (9-11). My daughter came into it as an early 9-year old, so she was a bit on the borderline. Even though my daughter probably could have handled Level B, I chose to use Level A since Science has been a weak area for us, and I wanted to make sure she had a curriculum she could easily understand without frustration on her part or mine as the teacher.
When you log into your account to view the videos, you will see they are separated in approximately 7 five-week segments. As you can see, it starts off right away with a scripture, which we loved but if you don't teach with a biblical perspective, don't let that discourage you from using the course. While the instructor makes no bones about the biblical/creation science worldview presented throughout the lessons, it still contains solid scientific facts that are the basis for any well-rounded introductory science program.
The on-line access is for one full year to allow you to finish the lessons at your own pace. The curriculum provides a supplies list that you need to conduct the experiments you choose to do, but everything I needed I already had at home.
The lessons cover:
The Introductory Science is intended for students ages 6-11, and you have a choice of workbook levels A (Ages 6-8) or B (9-11). My daughter came into it as an early 9-year old, so she was a bit on the borderline. Even though my daughter probably could have handled Level B, I chose to use Level A since Science has been a weak area for us, and I wanted to make sure she had a curriculum she could easily understand without frustration on her part or mine as the teacher.
When you log into your account to view the videos, you will see they are separated in approximately 7 five-week segments. As you can see, it starts off right away with a scripture, which we loved but if you don't teach with a biblical perspective, don't let that discourage you from using the course. While the instructor makes no bones about the biblical/creation science worldview presented throughout the lessons, it still contains solid scientific facts that are the basis for any well-rounded introductory science program.
Most of the lessons begin with the instructor behind the desk, though some are video experiments where two younger girls demonstrate conducting the labs and experiments. Mostly, if you don't want to do a hands-on lab in your home, you can just watch the video. We chose to do most of the experiments ourselves as well as watch how they are supposed to work out if done properly.
Science Shepherd also offers classes for Middle School Life Science and High School Biology complete with labs and a list of items needed to conduct your own labs. The site also offers an additional course entitled Creation Science.
How Did We Use It?
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| Refraction properties in water |
The videos provide a short lesson, the book provides the workbook assignments and test, and the labs are provided with full instruction. We are sorta obsessed and ended up doing an all-out science intensive to try to squeeze in all of the lessons before the end of the school year. Since we were winding down our homeschool year and were wrapping up other subjects, we used our extra time by doing an all-out full-forced science intensive "camp".
We absolutely fell in love with this program. We ended up finishing all 35 weeks of this entire curriculum.
We absolutely fell in love with this program. We ended up finishing all 35 weeks of this entire curriculum.
What Did We Think?
With the online videos, we loved the instructor's voice. He is so easy to listen to, soothing and not annoying. He also presented an occasional graphic, but it was a real picture and not some kid-level attempt at trying to stoop down to the child's level.
We also love how he interjects scripture into everything but backs it up with research. In one of the early lessons, he showed how many of the famous scientists were devout believers, explains how the flood would have produced fossils of complete animals like have been discovered, with a rapid rise in water, and refers to the difference between billion and billions of years and thousands of years as would be the case if the Bible is literal.
We thoroughly enjoyed every lesson!
Take a Look at How Using this Curriculum Looked at our Homeschool:
How Strong is an Egg's Shell?
Will the paper towel inside the cup stay dry or get wet? Why?
Magnetizing Objects:
Our volcano:
Made her own anonometer:
The Days of Creation:
Classification Exercise:
Fossils:
Our Avocado Seed Experiment:
The Planets:
Phases of the Moon:
Physical Science - Matter Experiments:
Listening and watching video on laptop with earbuds.
Find Science Shepherd on Social Media @
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ScienceShepherd/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/scienceshepherd
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/scienceshepherd
Read what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below:
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