Science

As I mentioned before, Science has been hard for me to figure out.  I have been nervous about whether or not I could cover it adequately at home.  After all, I don't have a lab, I am not a science teacher, and there doesn't seem to be a text book that covers science how I want to cover it.  Core Knowledge doesn't have ONLY Earth Science one year, ONLY Physical Science the next, ONLY Biology in one year, etc.  It mixes it up.  I like this approach because you build a little onto each type of science each year, instead of last year's science being a distant memory by the end of next year.  Because of the difficulty I have had finding materials, I have considered just scrapping the way Core Knowledge does it and covering science in a more traditional manner.

However, I finally discovered a little link on the CK website which connected me to Mackin.  Mackin offers many books (an overwhelming selection, actually) that cover pretty much all of the CK curriculum items.  These titles were recommended to me by a CK staffer as being superior to those offered by another company.  It was a relief to discover these books and I have been able to order material that enables me to cover the assigned topics.

Another helpful resource is one that I discovered this past weekend at the conference organized by the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers.  One of the sessions that I attended was entitled "Homeschooling the Hard Stuff" and the speaker gave a list of many resources.  One of those is a website that sells affordable science equipment and even dissection supplies such as frogs, cow eyeballs, fetal pigs, snakes, etc. along with all the materials you need to dissect said dead animals (trays, blades, diagrams, etc.).  Yum!  Also, high-quality microscopes, pre-made slides, materials to make your own slides, etc.  This put my mind at ease, because I was convinced that there would be no way for me to recreate a lab experience at home.

So, one problem that has worked itself out.  I stressed about it, spent hours online looking for answers, and eventually the answers came when I wasn't really looking for them.  Some day I'll learn.