Traditional Standards vs. Classical Science

Welcome, once more, to the Classical Education and Homeschool Science series!

The final article in the series will look at the traditional standards vs. the classical methods. I will also be sharing some of the resources I have found to be useful as I seek to teach classical science in my homeschool.

If you have missed a post so far, here is the list of the previous posts in the series:

• Part 1: What is classical education?
• Part 2: Is it really possible for classical science to be rigorous
• Part 3: Classical science curriculum for the grammar stage student
• Part 4: Classical science curriculum for the logic stage student
• Part 5: Classical science curriculum for the rhetoric stage student

The traditional standards vs. classical methods in homeschool science

So how does classical science compare to the traditional scope and sequence found in the public school?

Classical science does not follow the typical state standards in order. That said, if you complete the cycle, you will cover all the same topics plus a bit more. For example, the typical standards do not usually cover chemistry or physics in depth before high school.

The student who is classically educated will also study each discipline twice before high school. This means that he or she will have the basic principles contained in a field of science down pat. So once he or she reaches high school, the focus can be on learning the more difficult principles of a discipline. The classical student is also free to really study the math behind an area of science.

The classical student will not follow the traditional model, but rest assured, he or she will be well prepared. The student educated in this manner will be able to handle the rigors college level science when that time arrives.

RESOURCES FOR CREATING A CLASSICAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM

Here are some resources you can use as you formulate a plan for your classical science curriculum.

Teacher Resources

These two books will help you to formulate a plan for classical science.

• The Well-trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer
• Success in Science: A Manual for Excellence in Science Education by Bradley and Paige Hudson

Experiment Books

These are my favorite experiment books from which to glean ideas.

• Janice VanCleave’s Biology for Every Kid
• Janice VanCleave’s Earth Science for Every Kid
• Janice VanCleave’s Astronomy for Every Kid
• Fizz, Bubble, Flash
• Adventures in Atoms & Molecules
• Janice VanCleave’s Chemistry for Every Kid
• Gizmos & Gadgets
• Physics Experiments for Children
• Janice VanCleave’s Physics for Every Kid

Encyclopedias

There are lots of encyclopedias and non-fiction science books you can use, but these are a few of my picks.

•  Let’s Read and Find Out Series
• DK First Encyclopedia Series
• Discover Science Series
• Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia
• DK Encyclopedia of Science

Resources from Elemental Science

If you have found this series on classical science interesting, but want someone else to put together the materials for you, rest easy!  At Elemental Science, we have made teaching classical science easy for homeschoolers!

Our straightforward plans and customized student workbooks deliver the tools you need move forward with confidence. Each of the programs in the classic series focus on an area of science that is studied through:

• Weekly coordinating scientific demonstrations or experiments;
• Visually appealing children’s encyclopedias;
• Notebooking with customized student workbooks.

Visit the Elemental Science website or watch our video to learn more.