Ask Daisy & Maisy
Meet Daisy and Maisy, our Curious Science Cats. As you can see, they are very important members of the Nancy Larson Publishers’ team. Each one has very special talents, and they both put their approval on everything we create. The Nancy Larson® Homeschool Science Programs are their pet projects. These Siberian Forest cats have a “furocious” appetite for science knowledge. They are “purrfectly” content helping Nancy create the best homeschool curricula available.
Daisy investigates if fungi are really “fun guys.”
Maisy puts her paw of approval on a new lesson.
Daisy wrestles with the idea of studying flamingoes in the ornithology unit for Science 2.
Maisy is fascinated with the intricate ridges on this bivalve seashell.
Daisy and Maisy are the ultimate in quality control, promising to be hypoallergenic and to keep all hair in place. If you’d like more information on Siberian Forest cats, check out: Willow Springs Kennel or watch Zoe a Siberian kitten playing fetch!
When you and your children have science questions, ask Daisy and Maisy.
Hi. I am hsing my prk4, 2nd grade, and 4th grade kids using Calvert – this year was a “remedial” math year for us – both of our older girls were 2 years behind in math. SO – we did two years of math in one year – so – now we want a great and fun summer break. All three read 2 to 3 levels above grade. Writing is advanced, too. Prior to coming home they were in a Montessori school, so there has been no consistent science program. I like Nancy Larson’s program not because it is scripted, but because the blacklines are excellent and the program complete and extend learning beyond National Standards. Where would you suggest we begin? I think 1st because of the biology – 4, 7 1/2 , and 9 1/2 without a full curriculum year of science to date – it’s been spotty. What do you think – I also like that the program has me “on the floor” with them and investigating. Everything is included? Not a big need to buy list to run and get on the fly? They love science and crave time on the floor without math! Well, not that much. Is 1st the place to start. K seems too easy.
Samantha,
I believe you’ll have a great time with Nancy Larson Science 1. I agree that Science K would be too easy. Science K is really designed for children you are not yet reading, or just beginning to read.
I’ve asked the homeschool moms on our Parent Support Group to give their suggestions. So we should see those soon.
If you have other questions, always feel free to ask. That’s why we’re here.
Take care and have a good week. – Madon
Hi, Samantha!
My kids also went to a Montessori school before we home schooled. My Samantha was 9 and David 5. We opted for the Classical school curriculum so I picked to start with the topic in the series that matched where we were in that curriculum which was the Nancy Larson Science 3. It worked well with both kids, They really loved it. Both could read well and although David was bit behind the target audience, he really did great. He can still tell me the kinds of clouds, the layers of the atmosphere and the layers of the earth. Samantha loved the projects and created a travel brochure to Pluto.
Yes, EVERYTHING is included — well except consumables like marshmallows and other things we might have around the house. We laminated the posters and kept them up on the walls in the living room.
I’d be happy to answer any other questions you have!
Jenny
Samatha, hello. I am one of the moms on the support group. I am a homeschooling mom of 3…ages 6, 9 and 10. We started using Nancy Larson Science 1 in January and we have been more than pleased. There is a very nice combo of table work and “floor time” as you call it. All 3 of my kids love science for the first time in our home. Before NL, Science was spotty at best…I didn’t always have the materials I needed so Science just didn’t gt done. But that all changed in Janurary. The fact that 99% of the things you need are included in the kit was one of the many things that first attracted me to NL. To date, the only things I have needed to find for our Science lessons have been colored pencils, tape, dirt, a potted plant, leaves and acorns. NL 1 has so many fun things to do…to name a few the x-rays were interesting, the butterfly and ladybug habitiats are super cool! We added some things too that just sort of came up as we were studying or that Madon suggested…we built a skeleton out of the x-rays and labeled the bones. We played The Hokey Pokey using bone names instead of body parts. We have done lapbooks on the Human body, trees and we hope to do one on bugs. We plan to make a leave book of the different leaves we find in our habitiat. We have LOVED NL Science. Please feel free to ask more questions if you need to. My email is kfeusse@aol.com and I would love to talk more with you.
Kathy
Hi, Samantha!
Due to the wide variety of age groups that you are teaching, I agree with Madon that Nancy Larson Science 1 would be a perfect place to start for your family. You can enjoy the curriculum will all your kids at the same time! I am currently using it with my 2nd grade daughter and pre-K son. They love it, and I feel it is providing them with a strong foundation from which to build on in science. Enjoy your time!!
Samantha ~
We’ve been using Nancy Larson Science 1 with our 4 this year {the pre-k has picked up some great things!!}. Our older three are 1st, 3rd and 4th grade. For our 4th grader, we’ve also included some deeper study books for the same subject to go along with it, and have LOVED working together on science. It has been a HUGE lifesaver for us and made science enjoyable for everyone involved {including mom!}. The program provides a great basis of the fundamentals that you can build with each following level. We’re just wrapping up the Level 1 program and moving on to Level 2 in the next few weeks ~ and the kids can’t wait to keep going!
Jolanthe
So Jenny – you picked to start with Science 3 as it aligns with WTM / classical model of beginning science for your kids’ grades? I am leaning to Sc 1 (as I have a first grader finishing and two on either side) – you could say previous science study has been swiss cheesy in nature – holey. SO – as WTM begins with life science and NL seems to with Sc 1, as thought we would begin here now and continue all thru – we “school” all year – don’t we all learn for life? My youngest will enjoy the material and the banded levels will allow me to use the diverse reading levels of books with my older and younger kids – I can certainly add books in – I think I bought the entire book list for first grade science recommended in WTM. Yes, I know. The best laid plans, right? So, hoping to order Monday – cash is tight right now – it will loosen up and I will order. Let me know how to join the yahoo groups. Many thanks. You can also reach me directly at samanthaleh@aol.com – I have to remember to check this site otherwise. Again, the best laid plans.
Hi I am wondering if you will be offering middle and high school science any time soon,I am sure a lot of famalies would be interested .Thanks
Nancy plans on writing Science 4 and Science 5, then moving to another subject area, probably social studies. From what I’ve seen of the content for Science 4 and the topics for Science 5, I believe these will definitely have children prepared for high school science courses. I hear a lot of families saying they wish for high school courses using Nancy’s teaching style and format. If someone has suggestions, please let me know so I can pass along the information.
Thank You and Take Care,
Madon
Hi. My kids are working on biology next year, but 1. do you think one can ever have enough learning about bio? 2. They are 4, 8, 10 – with no other experience – highly advanced readers and writers in sciences. Science 2 this year? Both would be really engaging but even my 4 1/2 yo son would LOVE the physics and simple machines in science 2. I think all 3 could do the workbook pages/ journals themselves – Argh @@@ Help – want to order this weekend. We’ve done insects, but they could learn about human physiology more… I think science 2 materials are more on par with what they can/are into. Do they have to be done 1, 2, 3? What are the recommended ages for 1 2 and 3 – I think 2 is 7 to 9?
Katie
Greetings, Katie!
Thank you for posting your questions. I know you want to order this weekend, so I’m hoping we can look at options to give you the best information. Since it’s Friday afternoon,
1. Can we talk? Could you send me your phone number, and let me know the best time for you?
2. We have a Parent Support Group of parents who’ve used the program and give their ideas, suggestions, and experiences to help others choose the right level.
Kathy used Science 1 last year and is using Science 2 this year. Kathy has several children, and her oldest is 9 or 10 and a gifted learner. Jolanthe used Science 1 last year with her children 6-9 years of age, but didn’t officially include the 4 year old. This year she’s using Science 2. Cindy used Science 1 with her five children ages 8-12 and this year is using Science 2.
I obviously don’t know their weekend schedules, but we can try and get some help from these moms.
If we can wait until Monday, I’m sure we can get more help from the moms. Let me know what works for you.
We recommend starting with Science 1 and moving through the programs in sequence. It’s not just about the science topics, but also the other instruction Nancy includes in each lesson. For instance, study skills are incorporated into each lesson, help children learn how they learn, and generalize the skills to other subjects. Nancy incorporates study skills throughout Science 1, 2, and 3, training children to be aware of key words, concepts, and the context surrounding them. It’s a gradual and very effective system.
I talk with parents who start with Science 2, or Science 3 and then move back to Science 1 to avoid learning gaps in life science. Beth in Virginia told me, “I taught science, have a degree in science. I had no idea Nancy would give my kids such a solid foundation in science. We’ve done Science 2 and Science 3. My children are nine and thirteen. This year we’re doing Science 1 because I don’t want them moving on without the same background in life science.”
I’d love to chat and give you more ideas and suggestions.