Over Our Heads in Wonder
Review
Review by: Lori DeeseSubtitled “A Sourcebook of Bible Studies with Science Activities,” this book is not so much a step-by-step science curriculum as it is a collection of readings and activities that can be combined in a variety of ways to teach science to elementary-aged children. There are a total of 25 readings and 50 activities included in the book. The recommended plan is for each lesson to include one reading, followed by questions and discussions, Bible verses, activities and prayer. That would certainly work, but following that model is not the only way this material can be used.
Each lesson would begin with a reading, which could be read by an older student or read aloud by the parent. Following the reading, the parent/teacher chooses an activity or two that reinforces the lesson being presented. These activities range from Bible stories and crafts, to science experiments and hands-on projects. Suggestions are given for creating activity kits which can be used along with these planned activities, or can be given to the child to use independently in whatever way they choose. The kits are made up of common household objects, grouped according to topic. The list includes a Star Kit, Light Experiment Kit, Water Fun Kit, and several others.
There are several reproducible pages that can be used to complete some of the activities. A notebooking method would work well with this book, using the ideas in the book as a springboard to create individual student notebooks for each student.
Overall I think this sourcebook could add an element of fun to a beginning science program. It is a good introduction to science topics for young children, and seems that it would be easy for a busy parent to implement. Although not specifically written for homeschoolers (there are references to the teacher and homework and classroom projects) all of the activities could be used by one student with a parent just as easily as by a whole classroom of students.