Science at home can be terrifying to teach; after all, what happens if you miss something or skip a vital concept? To be honest, science isn’t that hard. In fact, it’s a ton of fun to teach in the homeschool.
10 Tips to Teaching Science
1. Combine Kids
There’s no reason to make yourself crazy trying to cover 2 or 3 different science topics each year. Instead, combine your kids into one curriculum or science topic. If your 9th grader is studying biology, have your 6th grader study biology too. You’ll be able to enjoy experiments, field trips, and documentaries as a family.
2. Plan Plenty of Experiments
Experiments are the fun part of science, so plan at least one experiment per week. You can do them on Mondays when you’re fresh from the weekend. Perhaps Friday would work best as a treat for completing all your work. It doesn’t matter. Enjoy doing lots of experiments this year.
3. Science Kits Are a Blessing
Science kits are a blessing. They come with most of the supplies you need. You won’t be scrambling to find balloons on a cold winter morning. You won’t be tearing the house apart trying to find a magnet you know the kids have somewhere. Instead, you’ll have most of the supplies you need to complete your weekly experiments. They’re well worth the investment.
4. Stock Up on Supplies
Science kits may not have all the supplies you need, or you may find yourself in my position where every time I pull down the science supplies, the preschoolers beg for a straw or balloon. We quickly run out. Each summer, stock up on science supplies. Make certain you have plenty of balloons, straws, paper towels, and aluminum foil. A little planning now prevents headaches later.
5. Supplement with Great Books
There are many, many wonderful science books for kids. Supplement your science studies with these books. Check them out from the library or purchase them from the local bookstore. Leave the books lying around the house for kids to read when they’re bored.
6. Encourage Rabbit Trails
Rabbit trails are wonderful for developing an actual interest in science. If your kids, even in high school, decide they’re fascinated by a specific topic, give them time to explore it further. Do an extra project, read books, and study it in depth. You won’t ruin your child’s education by following a rabbit trail. Instead, you may spark a lifelong passion.
7. Use Science Documentaries
Science documentaries are wonderful for being able to see sights and concepts that are difficult to replicate in the home. You can see the planets and moon up close or travel to the depths of the sea. Use age-appropriate documentaries to supplement your science program.
8. Nature Study
Nature study and science go hand in hand. If you’re studying astronomy, make time to go outside to see the stars in their shining beauty. If you’re studying biology, learn about the animals and plants in your region of the world. Bring science and nature together as often as possible.
9. Start Young
There’s no reason you have to wait until middle school or high school to start science. There are many wonderful books written for preschoolers and elementary children. Go ahead and start studying science as soon as your child expresses an interest in why the sky is blue or why fish have scales.
10. Have Fun
Science is fun. Don’t get so caught up in trying to teach all the various topics that you forget to enjoy yourself. The world won’t end if you miss something, but teaching your children to enjoy science may very well spark a lifelong passion, hobby, or even career.
Science can be easy and fun to teach if you follow these tips. Prepare your science supplies in advance and emphasis a love of science over learning every detail.
