School is Outdoors Again and New Science Curriculum

We are finally nearing the end of the sweltering summer days and enjoying doing some of our school outdoors.  During the fall season, Michael can enjoy reading and journaling out by the chicken coop, doing double duty while the chickens are out grazing.  Predators stay away when they see us out there.  Come February, he will have to spend most of his time indoors avoiding oak pollen and miserable allergies.  The best time of the year for him begins now, from September through January.  He loves it out there.

I think every year, about a month after school starts, I discover that one of my subjects is not working for us.  This year, it was my science plan for Emily and Michelle.  Thankfully, it didn't take me long to find a good option.  I discovered RSO - REAL Science Odyssey.  It's perfect.  It is age-appropriate for them, with lots of hands on activities, good structure, a variety of resources, using simple materials - and they love doing school together.  It uses a classical approach to teaching, which is something I really like as well. I looked through it last weekend, and we started working on it yesterday.

Looking for living things on her plot


For today's lesson, the girls had to do a "plot study."  They each got a designated area on the yard and a magnifying glass to look for living and non-living things.  We had discussed and done a lab yesterday about what the differences are between the two.  RSO integrates nature journaling into its lessons, another thing I like about it.  So, they made their observations, we talked about some of the differences in their locations and whether they would find those same things in a different ecosystem.  They are learning a lot of new vocabulary.  I couldn't be happier!

When I got the book in the mail, I discovered that some or all the materials can be downloaded at the Pandia Press website, so next time I order there will be no delay. 

I'm linking with Outdoor Wednesday!