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Science I - Science Basics
If you haven't already, please take a look at the video
which explains our Upper School Science program for ages
11-adult. It can be found at the top of the Upper
School Science home page. This can be found by using
the Menu Bar that runs across the top of this page. Go
to Upper School and pull down the menu. Use the link
there to go to the page about Upper School Science.
Toward the top of that page you'll find the video.
When finished, please return to this page and keep reading.
For students ages 11-adult. What is science? What must
the student understand to really grasp science, before
embarking on a profound study of its details? Learn the
basics which most science studies never cover, while
performing many hands-on experiments, and answering
thought-provoking questions.
The first home school science course in Connect The Thoughts . Take the first step into a true understanding of science! A self-contained course, no text book needed. Tests, answer guides, and a comprehensive teacher's guide are included! A remarkable, creative starting point toward a real understanding of science.
How can a student be expected to study a subject if he has no idea what that subject is supposed to cover? How can he study a subject, unaware of its most basic ideas and rules, the ideas that later, complicated concepts will be based on? The answer is that they CAN'T be expected to study such a subject with any great success. This may be more true of science (and the arts) than other subjects.
Can a student afford to not understand science, in today's world? We recognize that there are conflicting belief systems out there, some at odds with the assumptions made by the scientific community. At Connect The Thoughts , we think it's a good idea for the student to understand all of the great forces shaping modern life, which include politics and religion, covered with great care and thoroughness in our history courses, and science. We feel that such information is indispensable to a student's well-being.
Our science courses are painstaking, filled with fun and informative exercises in nearly every lesson plan, providing the student a greater sense of science and how it works every day. Science Basics sets the student up for college-level studies in Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology (weather), Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, using simple, easy-to-do, but profound exercises and ideas. The course utilized the unique methods consistent to all Connect The Thoughts Courses, which assist the student study and master materials often believed to be too complex for students at the given age level (Upper School is ages 11-adult, who read fairly well.)
This course helps the student understand science and its value in today's world. Connect The Thoughts Science for Upper School is a three-four year program, comprised of eight courses. This Science Basics Course is the first in the program. These courses are BEST done in sequence, but do not need to be. A student requiring a particular course to round out curriculum could use any of our courses. These cover science basics, biology, oceanography, meteorology (the study of weather and of the atmosphere), biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy and space exploration, and a science review and project course which is best done after considerable study in science.
In Science Basics , the student is given a complete grounding in the essential principles of the Scientific Method and the Law of Cause and Effect, and develops the tools he will need to experience the adventure of science. The student is provided an overview of science. The student is shown, through the information offered and by his own experience, that all science is based on the ability to categorize ideas and objects, grounded in observation and measurement. He learns the difference between pure and applied science. He is shown the strength and weakness of logic as a scientific tool. The student studies the principles of structure, form and function as methods of classification.
Once these concepts have been thoroughly experienced by the student through dozens of exercises, the student is ready to look at the "Tree" of science, and investigate its main branches; Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physics and Astronomy. This course thoroughly sets up an Upper School student for their future studies in science, providing the needed tools to approach this sometimes daunting subject with authority and confidence.
Tests are provided after significant areas have been studied. Answer Guides come with the course, for the teacher's use, as well as a teacher's guide to assist teacher and student in this first serious approach to science. This course requires no additional materials.
Our courses often include films and documentaries (which are NOT provided with the course, but are easily secured in libraries or over the internet.). Additionally, the student will perform literally hundreds of experiments and exercises, as the world he lives in, and the Universe which surrounds it, becomes increasingly comprehensible.
Components in this course include:
- Observation
- The Scientific Method
- Facts vs. Beliefs, and Proofs
- Theory
- Experimentation
- Cause and Effect
- An Overview of Science
- Categorization of areas of science
- Pure Science and Applied Science
- Logic, Structure, Form and Function
- The branches of science
- Measurements in science and how they're used
Please note - Many of the required films or music in our courses have links provided so that there may be no need to secure them. However, we cannot guarantee that all the links will be "live" or active when you use them. You may need to secure films or links in other ways. We have selected works that are easily secured.
To view a sample, locate the picture of the cover page for this course (found on this page). Click on it. A new window will open with the sample.
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Required materials:
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I wanted to say thank you to Steven for his wonderful program! My daughter had homeschooled from 5th grade until 9th when she wanted to return to public schools. I think I mentioned before we had just found your awesome program at the very end of her 8th grade year and loved it so I had purchased her 9th grade curriculum BEFORE she decided to go back! Lol. Well, after 3 card markings of not really understanding what she learned(getting A's & B's on worksheets, failing tests) she decided she wanted to come home where she actually learned. I was thrilled to finally get to use the wonderful CTT program! We started a couple weeks ago and earlier this week she had her first test in science. She not only did PERFECTLY, she did it with no hesitation!! She understood what she was taught! And on her own, for the most part! So I thank you for sharing this wonderful program that you developed for your family so the rest of us can enjoy it with ours!
| by Heidi Frisby-Nowaczewski | Date Added: 04/27/2012 |
After doing the creative writing courses, I felt I was ready to conquer the world of writing and literature! It has always been a favorite subject of mine in school, but something always pulled me back. I would have the inspiration to write a story, but I couldn't quite ever put it into words. But after I did the creative writing course, I realized how simply and utterly uncomplicated it was to JUST WRITE, without all the considerations that it wouldn't turn out well, people would think it was stupid, etc. It actually turned out nearly flawless every time!
The science course (Upper School Science I ) helped me in various surprising ways as well: I never quite understood what I could study in science, and what I did learn in science would never come in handy in my daily life. But when I did this course, I realized how often we use science everyday! And I got the BASIC concepts of science, without getting into excruciating details. Now I'm extremely interested in scientific things. You have made home schooling easy, interesting and fun!
| by S.G., 15 year-old student | Date Added: 08/27/2010 |
My daughter has been studying the Connect The Thoughts curriculum for nearly 3 years. She is nearly done with the science courses and 2/3rds of the way through the history program. For me, this curriculum is a dream come true.
As a home schooling parent, it has become obvious to me that a good curriculum is the hub around which the successful home schooling program revolves. One can be a superb teacher and have an excellent relationship and great communication with a child, but with a weak curriculum, both parent and child soon become discouraged and frustrated. For the one and one-half years of home schooling we did prior to finding the Connect The Thoughts program, I was constantly searching for good books, materials and curricula. While there is a lot on the market, the majority of it, in my opinion, is poorly written, insufficiently researched or boring.
Connect The Thoughts is a home run. Not only has my daughter gained a basic college level understanding of the sciences including geology, oceanography, meteorology, biology, chemistry and physics and the entire time line of history, geography, government, religion, philosophy and art, but she can also think on her own, form her own conclusions and research any subject imaginable. She has become an independent student.
Additionally, the curriculum is so fascinating, our entire family is learning along with my daughter, including my 91 year-old mother-in-law, who lives with us and greatly enjoys the materials. She reads everything she can get her hands on. From Homer to Shakespeare and tidal waves to black holes, no stone is left unturned for Connect The Thoughts graduates who, I believe, will make a difference because they can understand problems and envision solutions. The Connect The Thoughts curriculum is making this world a better place.
My deepest appreciation to Steven Horwich for caring enough to research and author these amazing materials.
| by Arnell Burghorn | Date Added: 08/27/2010 |
For years I had been trying to find a science curriculum that would "fit" our family. I was at my wits end when I stumbled upon Connect the Thoughts.
My daughter recently finished the Upper Science I - Science Basics. The material is written directly to the student in an easy to understand way. The writing style is so pleasing, that initially I was afraid that my daughter would not be learning enough. However, when I looked at the tests provided with the course, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much material was covered. Somehow I guess I had been indoctrinated with the thought that learning had to be painful.
We look forward to continuing with the rest of the Upper School Science Series. I'm so happy that I don't have to put the time and effort into making our own science program. Thank you Steven!
| by Donna Wirth | Date Added: 10/18/2008 |
This is the first upper grade level science course you should use when starting this excellent curriculum. It teaches what science is and gives an excellent overview of the scientific method, the branches of science, and why we do science in the first place. I highly recommend this course and this curriculum!
| by Kimberly Boone | Date Added: 08/27/2010 |
We started Connect the Thoughts several years ago when CurrClick offered the Spelling course as the free Monday give-away. I was immediately impressed with the brilliance of the author, Steven Horwich, as he recommended exactly what we were already doing.
When we needed some Creative Writing assistance it was easy to turn to Connect the Thoughts for aid. My daughter, then 9, flat out refused to attempt any of the multiple creative writing aids we had purchased. All of the courses varied in price, cuteness, length, reviews, and recommendations. The only thing they had in common was my daughter’s resistance to anything they offered.
The Connect the Thoughts Creative Writing turned her around and did so quickly. She went from not wanting to put anything on paper to asking me how to write on the computer so she could save the book she planned to author. She became proud of her writing.
During her first Connect the Thoughts year our daughter entered and placed Third in the Georgia Public TV’s Reading Rainbow contest. She hasn’t stopped writing, yet. After reading the How to Do Connect the Thoughts Course, my daughter decided she wanted to try a few of their offerings.
We started with Manners, Science and History. She became excited about learning in a way that we had not seen before. Giving her control over how fast and how in-depth she studied changed everything for her. She started notebooks for her courses and would study a subject for hours spending time at our local library and at the home computer. She would have discussions with her friends about the things she was studying and seek their opinions. She would chat, daily, with her father and I about things she had learned.
We are a Connect the Thoughts family, now. We use Saxon for Math and Grammar and Connect the Thoughts for everything else. I converted my loyalties after hearing my daughter quote Connect the Thoughts during a play date. We had just finished the Information, Right or Wrong course. The course is one of the best and I believe it should be required for all students. It is a course that teaches students to think. I don’t know of any other course like it. The course suggests to the students that they get the proof of information given to them. My daughter was discussing something with a playmate and when they could not agree on the facts of the matter she asked, “Where is your proof?” I was so proud of her. She has since become comfortable enough to ask the same question of her father and me. I am still proud of her. The question tasks me on occasion because I am forced to think, rather than mime my answers.
The Upper School courses are as well done as the Lower School courses. Steven Horwich is more than fair in his pricing of the various courses. The courses include free web sites for required movies, suggested books that can be found in most libraries, experiments the students can do (almost on their own) and hints and instructions for the parents/teachers. My daughter has friends who are public schooled and home schooled. All her friends have made positive comments on her course notebooks. One of her public schooled friend asks every visit to see what is new in the science notebook. She says my daughter “gets to learn so much more” than she ever learns.
Our family will be staying with Connect the Thoughts through Upper School. I am sure our daughter will take the lessons, so beautifully presented, with her on her life’s course. “Where is the Proof?” is part of our daughter now and we know it will serve her well. Some people never learn to ask that question. Because of Steven Horwich our daughter learned to ask the question before she had a real need to ask it. Her father and I will be thanking Steven in our prayers for the rest of our lives.
| by Karen Ann Osborne | Date Added: 08/27/2010 |
