Cindy Downes

Jul. 12, 2005 - Physics in 1st Grade?

Today, my granddaughter and I did physics using The Rainbow curriculum written by Durell C. Dobbins. It's written for junior high so we didn't get into the textbook (she's only 6). Instead, I read to her selections of the first lesson. Then I pulled out the lab kit and WOW - did we have fun doing lab!

Everything you need for lab is included in the kit and I mean everything including the goggles. (My granddaughter loves the goggles and doesn't she look cute in them!) I was very, very happy that I didn't have to rummage through the house looking for the usual "household items." The equipment came packed in two plastic containers stored in a cardboard box. It also comes with a diagram that explains what everything is which is a big help for those of us who are bit illiterate when it comes to identifying science equipment (that's me).

The lab directions were simple to follow, so follow along with our adventures doing Lab 1: Crummy Marble. The first and second photo show us following the directions supplied in the book.

Step one: roll the marble through the tube 3 times. Add the extension and roll again 3 times.

Step two: measure the distance each time and record in your notebook. You'll notice that the marble goes farther with the extension added.

Then my granddaughter decided to improve upon the experiment by adding additional tubing to make the marble go even farther. (Which says something about the lesson - she wanted to learn more! Good job, Rainbow!)

She made the tube really l-o-o-o-n-g!

"Wow, look at that Grammy. We made it go really far this time!"

What a great lesson! She really did learn that things go farther the longer they travel under the influence of gravity. That's what school is all about.

After dinner, I looked over the textbook and teacher's manual more carefully. The textbook is colorful and written in an easy-to-read prose. The teacher's manual provides daily lesson plans, answer keys, and occasional field trip ideas.

I would highly recommend this for those of you who want a complete, Christian-based science with lab in a kit. Year 1 covers physics and chemistry with lab equipment and costs $254, Year 2 covers biology and applied science with lab and costs $143. The teacher's manual recommends science three days per week, two days for the lesson and one day for the lab. I like the three day schedule, too.

For more info about Rainbow Science, check out their website: http://www.beginningspublishing.com/

Jul. 13, 2005 - Hi Cindy!!

Posted by

We were so pleasantly surprised to find guests leaving comments on our new blog so I decided to pop over and say hello! PA is very pretty but I'm sure God's country in OK is equally beautiful. I can see by the topics listed in your area here that I will be going to bed late tonight! LOL I really appreciate what you've shared of the learning time with your grand daughter. My 2 daughters have informed me that they would like my help homeschooling their children, it looks like an awesome blessing!

Keep Smiling!
Cathy Nagle :o)

Edited by creativehsmom on Jul. 13, 2005 at 11:05 PM

Permanent Link