Tips for Homeschool Science Podcast from Elemental Science

We are so excited to share this interview about writing in science with two experts from the Well-Trained Mind. In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarret are joining Paige to share tips and tools about the third key to teaching science!

Key Takeaway

• Use your narrations in science for writing.
• One thing - just worry about your students remembering one thing to write down.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:35 – Welcome our guests 
• 01:11 – Should we write everything down for science?
• 04:20 – What are your top three tips for writing and science?
• 08:44 – How do we handle the blank stares?
• 11:58 – How do our expectations of writing in science change over the years?
• 14:30 –  What I wish all homeschoolers knew about writing and science (Susan's answer)
• 15:38 – What I wish all homeschoolers knew about writing and science (Susanna's answer)
• 19:24 –The Well-Trained Mind Press
• 20:31 – Wrapping it up 

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Science Chunks Series
• The Well-Trained Mind Website
• The Well-Trained Mind Podcast

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Season 11 of the Tips for Homeschool Science podcast is all about writing and science. In this episode, we'll discuss how to choose between lapbooks and notebooks in your homeschool.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:32 – Lapbook or Notebook 
• 01:33 – What is a Lapbook
• 02:04 – What is a Notebook
• 03:17 – 4 Questions to Ask
• 05:18 – Wrapping it Up 

Key Takeaway

• Lapbooks are great for younger kids and shorter units.
• Notebooks are great for older kids and longer units.
• In the end, choose what will work for you and your student.

Episode Links

• Full Transcript 
• Science Chunks Series

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Welcome to season eleven of the Tips for Homeschool Science Show, where we’re breaking down the lofty ideals of writing and science into building blocks you can use in your homeschool.

In this episode, we are chatting about lapbooks!

Key Takeaway

• Lapbooks are educational scrapbooks that fit into the lap of a student.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:36 – A review of notebooks 
• 01:36 – What are lapbooks
• 03:32 – The Mini-book
• 05:04 – 3 Ways to use lapbooks 
• 06:58 – Wrapping it up 

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Science Chunks Series

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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We’re back with new episodes for the eleventh season of the Tips for Homeschool Science Show. In this season, we are talking about writing and science. I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about lapbooks, notebooks, and what to expect, so I thought it was time to dedicate an entire season to the third key to teaching science—writing it down.

In this episode, we're chatting about notebooking!

Key Takeaway

• Notebooking is the best method of writing for science! 

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 01:05 – What Season 11 is going to look like 
• 01:46 – Why notebooking is the best method for writing in science 
• 03:24 – The Two Components of Notebooking 
• 03:50 – The material component of notebooking
• 05:16 – The visual component of notebooking
• 06:41 – Wrapping it up 

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Science Chunks Series

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Season 11 will be about writing and science! 

We've got two guests scheduled, plus loads of tips for writing in science. The first episode will be here on February 19th, 2024.

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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The new year is the perfect time to hit reset on our homeschool science plans. But before you do that, be sure to ditch these three negative thoughts!

Episode Links

• Original Post
• What is the heart of science education?
• The Three Keys to Teaching Science
• Mid-year Evaluation for Science

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
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We have shared often about how nature study is a great way to make science real and practical. In our homeschool, we lean towards doing impromptu nature study while we are already enjoying the outdoors. But as the weather turns colder should you bother with continuing to do nature study?

This month, I thought we'd share three subjects that make us bundle up and brave the temps for winter nature study!

Episode Links

• Original Post
• Types of Lichen
• Types of Rocks

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Science during the holidays, to change or not to change - that is the question. Here are two options for you to consider!

Episode Links

• Original Post 
• 25 Activities for Christmas Science

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Science During the Holidays
01:05 Option 1
02:30 Option 2
04:05 Help for Holiday Science

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

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Homeschool science-teaching mojo is the magical ability to attract your kiddos to want to learn about science. These 4 tips from Elemental Science will help you increase your HST-mojo!

Episode Links

• Original Post 
• FREE Science Activities
• 50+ Books for Science
• YouTube Channels for Science
• See how we can help you teach science!

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Fall may be a sign that winter is close at hand, but it also has a beauty of its own that can’t be beat! I wanted to share with you all three of my favorite supplies to use for fall science experiments.

Episode Links

• Original Post - 3 Supplies you must have on hand for Fall Science Experiments
• Fall Leaf Chromatography Video 

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Homeschool science can be simple when you have the right tools in your hand. This audio boot camp helps you gather what you need before your homeschool year begins!

Homeschool Science Boot Camp

1. Day 1 - Get ready for experiments
2. Day 2 - Get ready for science reading
3. Day 3 - Get ready for writing in science
4. Day 4 - Get ready for the extras
5. Day 5 - Get ready for this next year

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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It's time for you to take the quiz and know for sure if you are a homeschool scientist!

Episode Links

• Original Post - Are you a homeschool scientist? Take the quiz to find out!

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Summer the fun season. And science is known as the boring subject. But that doesn't have to be the case! You can mix science with summer and have a blast!

Episode Links

• Original Post - 5 Ways You Can Learn About Science And Have Fun During The Summer
• 48 Summer Science Activities
• List of Living Books for Science
• The Sassafras Science Adventure Series

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Wondering how the Sassafras Science series came about? And how this modern living book will work for science in your home? In this Season 10 bonus episode, we're answering these questions and more!

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:32 – The story of how the Sassafras twins came into existence
• 03:29 – The Novel 
• 05:24 – How you can use the Sassafras Science Adventures Novels
• 05:37 – What the support materials are meant to do
• 06:00 – The Activity Guide
• 06:39 – The SCIDAT Logbook
• 07:10 – The Lapbooking Guide
• 08:00 – The Coloring Pages
• 08:40 – What does a week with Sassafras Science look like?
• 09:20 – What do you need for Sassafras Science?
• 09:44 – Will Sassafras Science work for your family?
• 11:14 – How can Elemental Science help you with living books and science?

Episode Links

• Article - Are you wondering how the Sassafras Science series works?
• The Sassafras Science Adventures

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Are living books superior? In this episode, we'll be discussing whether or not living books are superior and if they are the only tools you should use in your homeschool.

Key Takeaways

1. Living books are really wonderful resources to have in our homeschooling toolbox. 
2. Living books help create interest pegs and these interest pegs can help boost retention of the material.
3. Living books aren't necessarily superior or the only way to teach science, but rather a tool that we have in our homeschooling toolbox.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:42 – Are living books superior?
• 02:48 – Yes, living books are superior.
• 04:20 – No, living books are not superior.
• 05:17 – How to choose if you should use a living book
• 06:14 – If you listen to nothing else, this is the part to hear
• 07:53 – How Elemental Science can help with living books and science

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 7: Chemistry

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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One of the options for the DO part of science is nature study. And the wonderful thing about nature study is that it partners well with living books! In this episode, the empress of nature study, Cindy West, is coming on to share about this homeschooling game-changer.

Key Takeaways

1. Nature study is science! It's experiential and hands-on, almost as if it's a science lab for your kids. 
2. Nature study can be ever-changing based on the needs of your homeschool. Maybe that's the most important thing to say about nature study - it can look like whatever you want it to look like in your homeschool.
3. It's exercise. It's sunshine. It's getting oxygen to muscles. It's getting the wiggles out. 

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 01:30 – What is nature study?
• 02:47 – How Cindy discovered nature study
• 03:36 – What has nature study looked like in Cindy's house?
• 05:44 – How do nature study and living books work together?
• 09:02 – How Cindy can help you with nature study
• 14:14 –  How Elemental Science can help with living books and science

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Our Journey Westward Website

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
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What does it look like to use living books for middle school science? In this episode, we'll be chatting about what you need for middle school science and what it looks like when you use a living book as your main source of information.

Key Takeaways

1. The three keys remain the same - do, read, and write - but they mature with your students.
2. Discussion time is still just as important, but the questions you ask will be more thought-provoking and less information-parroting.
3. Don't forget to add in a science fair project!

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:55 – Your goals for middle school science
• 01:54 – What you need to do during the week
• 05:49 – Day 1 (Read and Write)
• 08:26 – Day 2 (Rinse and Repeat)
• 10:12 – Day 3 (Hands-on Science)
• 11:42 – Day 4 (Additional Information)
• 12:28 – Day 5 (Additional Projects)
• 13:21 – If you listen to nothing else, this is the part to hear
• 15:16 – How Elemental Science can help with living books and science

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Three Keys to Teaching Science 
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 3: Botany
• Writing in Science: Part 1 - The Elementary Years and Part 2 - Middle School and Beyond
• Science Fair Project Resources

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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At this point in the season, you know how amazing living books are . . . but how can you fit them into your plans? Enter morning time! In this episode, the queen of morning time, Pam Barnhill, is coming on to share about this homeschooling game-changer.

Key Takeaways

1. Morning time is the best time of the day! It's about connections, efficiency, and quick wins. 
2. Morning time is a great time to add in living books on science. 
3. Morning time is also a good time to look at nature.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 01:27 – What is morning time?
• 02:57 – How did Pam find morning time?
• 03:56 – What does morning time look like in Pam's house?
• 05:37 – How does morning time help us with science?
• 08:16 – How Pam helps with morning time
• 10:00 –  How Elemental Science can help with living books and science

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Your Morning Basket Website

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
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What does it look like to use living books for elementary science? In this episode, we'll be chatting about what you need for elementary science and what it looks like when you use a living book as your main source of information.

Key Takeaways

1. Living books are definitely excellent tools we can use to accomplish the goals for elementary science. 
2. Remember, with living books, we're creating a relationship with the knowledge. So we want these narrations and these written and notebook pages to be a personal record of what the student has learned. For the first three days you're reading and writing and you're doing, you're getting those three keys done. Then if you want to add in extra projects, you can do those on the next two days.

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:56 – Your goals for elementary science
• 01:49 – What you need to do during the week
• 03:31 – Day 1 (Read and Write)
• 06:22 – Day 2 (Rinse and Repeat)
• 07:22 – Day 3 (Hands-on Science)
• 09:07 – Day 4 & 5 (Optional Extras)
• 10:17 – If you listen to nothing else, this is the part to hear
• 11:10 –  How Elemental Science can help with living books and science

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Three Keys to Teaching Science 
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 1: Zoology

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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Let's chat about living books and science! In this episode of the Tips for Homeschool Science podcast, we'll be discussing what to look for in a living book for science, how you can use these books, and a few suggestions for you to check out! 

Key Takeaways

1. You want a living book to pull the reader in such a way that they don't even realize that they're learning about science.
2. We can use living books as a resource that we add on to our current science program to add a little bit more interest. Or we can use living books as our main spine or main source of information for science.
3. However you choose to use living books for science, you can't go wrong! You are creating an interest and a passion in this subject within your students by using these resources. 

Episode's Topics

• 00:00 – Intro 
• 00:34 – What to look for in a living book for science
• 02:06 – How to use a living book for science
• 05:27 – Recommendations for the preschool years
• 06:20 – Recommendations for the elementary years
• 07:13 – Recommendations for the middle school years
• 08:18 – Recommendations for the high school years
• 09:08 – If you listen to nothing else, this is the part to hear
• 09:56 –  How Elemental Science can help with living books and science

Episode Links

• Full Transcript
• Living Books for Science List 
• Sassafras Science

Got questions? Email support@elementalscience.com or connect with us on the web:

• Instagram - @elementalscience
• Website - https://elementalscience.com/

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