Good morning, I wanted to share Homeschool Resources: Science with you. Take a look at the websites below. If you have used these resources with your children what did you think of them and why?
Dr. Margulies flips the teaching process in Fascinating Education courses by approaching Science through the “right hemisphere” of the Brain. He uses simple, colorful illustrations, supplemented with attached Audio files to explain what your child is seeing. The result is an easy way to learn Science.
Microscopy-UK.org: A Virtual Pond Dip
Grades 2-12; children with parental supervision
This website allows you to virtually explore pond life and all of the amazing microscopic critters that live there!
When you get to this site you will see a picture of a collection jar with pond water and lots of unusual creatures in it along with instructions on how to begin your investigation.
Click on any one of the items in the jar, and a new page opens with detailed information about it.
You’ll examine:
- Protozoa
- Algae
- Copepod
- Paramecium
- Amoeba
- Hydra
- Water Flea
- Rotifers
- Ostracod
If you click on the words “Pond Life Identification Kit” in the introduction, a new page opens with a terrific guide that will help you identify pond life — and it provides instructions on how to collect microscopic pond life from freshwater ponds wherever you live.
There are links to websites that use multi-media tools for extensive study of pond life as well.
Use the horizontal menu tab at the top of the page to explore an archive of microscopy including:
- Intro – Read the history of the microscope, find out how to buy a microscope, explore insects, botany, and marine life.
- Museum – Explore the “Micropolitan Museum” that includes incredible photos of specimens from freshwater and marine environments. Check out “The Insectarium,” and “The Botanical Garden” too.
- 3-D Images – Don’t miss this incredible archive of 3-D computer models of insects, flowers, bacteria, viruses, and much more!
This is a great tool to help you begin microscopic examinations with your children/students — even if you don’t own a microscope or have a real pond in your neighborhood.
Christian Kids Explore Science from Bright Ideas Press
Discover God’s Majesty – from a single Molecule to an entire universe! Embark on a lifelong quest to know God through his Creation with our award-winning series, Christian Kids Explore Science from Bright Ideas Press.
BioKids: Kids’ Inquiry of Diverse Species
Grades 4-8, with parental supervision
This website is part of a research project developed by the University of Michigan with resources and activities to improve learning Science with a focus on Biology and Biodiversity. It’s designed for classroom use, but it’s a terrific resource for homeschoolers as well!
When you get to the site use the horizontal menu near the top of the screen to explore:
- Critter Catalog – Discover an array of vertebrates such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Then check out the invertebrates that include mollusks, insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans. Information here includes pictures, specimens, sounds the critters make, and scientific classification.
- Field Guides – While there is a focus here on the wildlife habitat of Michigan, you’ll find terrific all-around information under “Tracks and Sign” that includes keys to animal tracks, marks left by animals chewing, biting, and rubbing, things animals build, eggs, and things animals leave behind.
- Resources – You’ll find a terrific archive of links to websites about animals and biodiversity. Don’t miss the “Multimedia Resources” in the “Links for Teachers” section that include links to sites with ideas for curricula.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
