Homeschool On the Range: Write Bonnie Rose {Review}

This review was originally published July 2018 at our Gypsy Road site.

Intended for first through third graders, the new Learning About Science collection from WriteBonnieRose offers three different levels, each focusing on different concepts. Recently, we completed Learning About Science, Level 3 (Cursive), which includes seven concepts, spanning earth science, life science, and physical science.

At 135 pages total, each pack is approximately 18 pages long, and includes coloring, handwriting, reading comprehension, and science instruction. Each unit has concepts that are broken down into manageable paragraph length and punctuated with coloring pictures and traceable vocabulary words. In Level 3, you have the choice of print or cursive, and we chose to focus on cursive. At the end of each packet, there is a short review; it's very easy to complete, either circling or crossing out a picture. For busy moms, there is also an answer key.

LEVEL 3 INCLUDES :

Discussion Helps

The Discussion Helps document contains Creation Science resources and websites related to the topics covered in the series. The first page covers the websites that the author found to be the most helpful. The subsequent two pages offer more websites and articles, but are divided up based on the topic covered in a specific booklet of the series. For example, in our Forecasting and Understanding the Weather booklet, one of the websites offered covers Tornadoes : https://creationscience4kids.com/eden/ .

Forecasting and Understanding the Weather

This earth science unit is the one that we've chosen to focus our review around, as our son is very into weather at the moment. It discusses the elements of weather, basic meteorological concepts, and the tools used for assessing weather.

Kinds of Animals and How They Live

This pack looks specifically at vertebrates, invertebrates, and arthropods, as well as animal classification. There are over thirty animals featured in the life science unit.

What’s Going On Inside Plants?

The basic concepts of photosynthesis are covered, along with parts of a plant and different types of plants. This is one of three life science units.

Life in the Ocean’s Hidden Zones

The final life science unit looks at all five zones of the ocean and the types of plants and animals that life in them.

Discovering Rocks, Minerals, & Crystals

The first earth science unit talks about the three classes of rocks, how they are created, and their similarities. There are more than twenty specific types of rocks investigated.

Exploring the Earth’s Landforms

Covering over thirty different types of landforms, this earth science unit explores all regions and climates of the earth.

Energy and Its Many Forms

The only physical science unit included, this focuses on the five main types of energy, introduces the concepts of atoms and electricity, and looks as future sources of energy. This is the longest unit in the collection.

THOUGHTS
I love that these are bite-sized and fun. They're perfect for our summer break, because in fifteen to twenty minutes each day, my son can sit down and do some reading, some handwriting, and reinforce some of his science concepts. While he wasn't keen on summer school, he did enjoy coloring the pictures and reading aloud with me.

I also like the introductory level at which these are taught. They cover the concepts without going too deeply, and are a great way to bridge into a new concept, even at the upper elementary and early middle grade level. We are tackling weather and meteorology in-depth through a different curriculum this fall, and I appreciated how Level 3 introduced the concepts and primed him for further learning.

READER QUESTION
WriteBonnieRose wants YOUR thoughts about what additional topics you'd like to explore in Learning About Science sets. Please contact her with any topics you'd like to see in future packs at writebonnierose@gmail.com

COUPON CODE & FREEBIES

Through August 15, you can save 50% on the bundled Learning About Science, Levels 1, 2, and 3 with coupon code REVIEWCREW50. You'll get each level for only $6 per set at https://writebonnierose.com/products-science/.
Visit her site to access tons of great printable freebies! We've used the history & geography ones quite a bit, and are just now branching out into her other subjects. No strings, no spam; just freebies.