Rev2Rev planning questions

[annaz]

I'm looking at the samples for Rev2Rev next year and I need your input.

I would like to know out of the optional programs, which ones are your favorites?

Also, part of the science, I see that the inventor study and Scienc Exploration are separate according to the sample. I thought those were both part of the science program. Clarify?

Thanks!

[LynnH]

I think the only truly optional thing is the state study. You don't have to buy the Signers book for the Research portion, but you would need another similar source to do the research. My ds is enjoying both things. The state study is simple, but it is making it where he sure knows his state locations and capitols etc. He also enjoys telling me about the interesting facts he is learning about each state. Since he researches the states in order of statehood it reinforces what he is learning in history. He is really enjoying the book The Signers. The readings are short and very "living" in there presentation. They tell very interesting stories about the men. He is getting a good grasp of the sacrifices some of them made and also the occupations that were common then. The information for the research cards is very easy for him to find in the reading. This is definitely his favorite year of research that he has done so far.

The Science is in 2 separate boxes. I look at it as the technical/experiment portion of science which is EE, and then the more Charlotte Mason portion which is the inventor study. The inventor study also has a written narration which he does each week in addition to the written narration for the history. I am seeing that doing a written narration on the inventor books is another increase in the skill level required. There are pretty technical descriptions in these books and it shows me how well he is grasping some of the science topics in how well he understands what they are describing in the books. There is very little reading that goes along with the Exploring Education curriculum so the reading in the Inventor study makes a more complete science course.

[annaz]

It's helpful to know what each "optional" study entails. Thanks for the overview of the state study.

As far as science, are there two boxes daily? So are we doing Inventor daily and the Science box daily? Are they connected to each other?

[LynnH]

They do the inventor study 3 days a week. On the 1 day that the writing program is scheduled the inventor study is not scheduled, my guess is to balance out the time. If they are doing the Standard Level of EE they do that 3x's a week (they don't do it on day 4). If you do the Advanced Level they actually are supposed to do it on day 4 and day 5. The 2 boxes are not connected on a day to day basis, but I do see the topics overlapping some as far as reading about Faraday and the invention of the electric motor and doing experiments with a motorized car. He has been reading about Edison and tomorrow he builds an electric circuit.