Science

Biology Level 1

Second grade to fifth grade

10 months

Core curriculum

to see where this is scheduled in your curriculum.

Description

This course consists of two components: the REAL Science Odyssey Biology Level 1 course, and a selection of children's science books that you can read in conjunction with the course lessons as time and interest permit.

REAL Science Odyssey is a secular, hands-on science program for homeschoolers. Each lesson consists of reading material, followed by a hands-on activity or lab.

The activities are really the focus of the program, and you will probably spend more time on them than on the textbook. This provides a break from the more reading-intensive subjects in our curriculum, but does require some preparation on the part of parents. Sample activities include making paper models, raising butterflies, observing the night sky and observing tardigrades under a microscope. Most supplies other than the microscope can be found around the home and yard.

REAL Science Odyssey courses spend a full academic year on a single branch of science. Available courses for elementary grades are Biology, Earth and Environment, Astronomy, Chemistry and Physics. These can be completed in any order, making it easy to combine multiple elementary grade students into one course.

The REAL Science Odyssey books can be pricey, but you can save money by purchasing the e-book (PDF file) versions and printing them yourself. The publisher also has occasional sales at its website, www.pandiapress.com.

The Biology Level 1 course is designed for students in grades 2 through 5. This course is designed to be completed in 36 weeks (eight months), working on science two days per week.

The course book can be purchased at www.pandiapress.com/product/real-science-odyssey-biology-1. This page also includes a free sample of the e-book where you can view the table of contents and try a sample lesson.

A note about microscopes: Though the microscope activities in this course are optional, they are a lot of fun, and if you purchase a microscope now you will be able to use it through high school biology (when it will be required). The cost of quality microscopes has come down dramatically in recent years. Here are two good options:

1. More powerful, mid-range price: www.amazon.com/200X-2000X-Microscopes-Microscope-Biological-Laboratory/dp/B07WVT6Y7F?crid=1AJ4JSF...

2. Less powerful, budget price: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ALT6BM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=greatbook069f-20&linkId=d313b...