Do you go on nature hikes with your kids? Does your family go on field trips to zoos and aquariums? Do you want your kids to come to understand how amazing life on Earth is?
Our NEW Science Homeschool Curriculum
Earth Party! Unit Study for Elementary-Aged Students
If you answered yes to these questions, Earth Party! is right for you! Why wait until middle or high school for your students to consider microbial life? Chances are, if they are sensitized to life forms, they will “grow-up” with them. They will have a broad understanding of micro-organisms in pond and natural sources of water (useful for when you go camping). They will understand why — there is so much fuss about handwashing (useful for when people are sick and strep and viruses are going around).
Childhood Experiences with Animals Can Be Transformational!
I recently saw the movie The Woman Who Loves Giraffes (2018), about zoologist Anne Innis Dagg, the pioneer who wrote THE book about giraffe behavior — The Giraffe. She fell in love with giraffes when she was 3 years old, seeing them at the zoo. As a young 20-year old woman, this affection caused her to go and live in Africa by herself for a year to spend time researching these unique ungulates. At the time she had a young suitor whom she had to inform—that she was going to Africa, and marriage would have to wait a year. (Yes, he did wait, and she did marry him!) Her early experience with giraffes was life changing. Unfortunately, academia was behind the time, and granting a woman tenure, (even one as accomplished as her), proved difficult for the academic institution. The movie explores the current impact of her research on people caring for giraffes in zoos, as well biologists studying their dwindling natural populations. Her life example shows — children naturally have a love and curiosity for animals — we can never know where early experiences might take them. A rich exposure to all life forms is beneficial.
How does Earth Party! Work?
The literature-approach curriculum uses 3 books: Karl, Get Out of the Garden by Anita Sanchez, Tree Of Life by Rochelle Strauss, and the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia to explore Karl Linnaeus, and life forms such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals. Students will read selections that make the organizing principles simple. They will do activities each week to solidify this knowledge. To complete this curriculum, families can chose projects such as designing a superhero for each kingdom of life, going on a scavenger hunt, creating a collection box, or writing haiku based on scientific groupings. Also included are a review memory game, video selections that allow students to see microscopic life more closely, and a Student Book with comprehension questions that allow students to write or discuss their new-found knowledge. More resources and investigations are provided that a family can possibly do during the time period! An additional benefit to this study — parents will learn too. (This is one of the features I most enjoy about homeschooling!)
Our curriculum is designed for 12 weeks; families that like to tackle subjects more quickly can simply double-time it!
We recommend you explore our curriculum, Earth Party! And—go to see The Woman Who Loves Giraffes! Anne Dagg’s story will inspire you.