Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers {Review}

Hands on experiments have never been my thing.  I'm one of those students that is happy to sit at the back of the class and observe.  I don't need to touch to learn.  I'm happy to read about an experiment in a book and watch someone else do the practical. Nathaniel on the other hand loves to try new things and look and touch to learn.

Enter in Funtastic Unit Studies the creator of  Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers. This A4 size book is a treasure trove for homeschool mothers like me out there.  It's 200 pages of science from home goodness. Science is best learned with plenty of hands on application and in this book Susan Kilbride has provided 20 chapters of hands on learning and explanation set out in an easy to teach format. 


What we received

• Physical copy of Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers
• 200 pages
• Soft Cover
• ISBN 9781463549152
• Author: Susan Kilbride (A homeschool Mom with a passion for science and a degree in biology)

How we used it
This book is easy to use.  The table of contents is divided by topic followed by the recommended age for the topic and the page number.

A friend of mine has this neat molecule set that I've been itching to play with so when I discovered that Chapter 13 was all about Atoms and Molecules I decided we could jump in there.

You do NOT need a fancy molecule set to work on this unit.  Susan recommends marshmallows and toothpicks!  Shhh don't tell Nathaniel he missed out on consuming delicious marshmallows ...

After a one paragraph introduction on what molecules were we had a look at the supplied periodic table and then built some water molecules (one red and two white balls), Carbon Dioxide (One black and two red balls), Methane (One black and four white) and Carbon Tetrachloride (One Black and four Chlorine ball).  It was so much fun.

Next we explored microscopes and how they work in Chapter 14. This was so much fun rediscovering the world around us through magnification.  It's been a few years since we used this microscope so we've had to blow the dust off of it and find the slides but it's been so good to use again.

We also took a little detour in Chapter 15 Chemistry is Fun! and learned a little about polymers.  The instruction was to build a paperclip chain.  (I couldn't find the box of paper clips so we improvised with these clips).  Here Nathaniel is holding a chain of 10 clips.  Each clip represents a glucose molecule and the ten clipped together represent starch.


For the Parent

• Each chapter begins with a materials needed for this unit list. 98% of the items were everyday items found in and around our home and the kitchen. 
• If there were any items a little out of the norm Susan has noted where to purchase the items from.
• If there is a form or pattern required for an activity these are supplied in the chapter for you to photocopy and use within your homeschool.

Cost of Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers

• $16.95 (Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Rainbow Resources)
• Download two chapters for free {Plant Unit and Molecules Unit}

Recommended Age Range

• 4 to 13

Over All I thought ...
This is one of those great resource books to have on hand. I love the simplicity and hands on uncomplicated experiments that are presented in the book.  I like the fact that Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers is written in easy to understand conversation with includes the use of the correct scientific jargon along with understandable definitions.  We're enjoying exploring the world around us through this short science unit studies.

Be sure to download Sue's Free Lessons and Activities

Blessings
Chareen