How to Choose the Best Science and Reading Materials
 

OUR SPONSOR: Calvert School

Selecting instructional materials for science and reading that build on a child's natural wonder, while supplementing a good academic program, requires careful consideration.

The best materials will foster a feeling of discovery in the child, but at the same time, they will include instruction that expands on the child's basic understanding of the world. When successful, this combination of discovery and enrichment boosts children's self-confidence and enables them to begin to connect the many concepts and ideas they have encountered in various course studies.

"Ah-Ha" Moments Improve Understanding of Science

A child's understanding of scientific theories and concepts is deeply expanded when experiments and activities are introduced into the instruction. Most children find new insights when they can discover a scientific truth through experimentation. The "ah-ha" moment often stays with the child longer than the theory or concept on which it sheds light.

Parents should look for science activities and experiments that are:

• Planned and explained carefully so the parent can be sure experiments are safe, age-appropriate, and easy to conduct.

• Designed with lesson plans so parents can engage the
  child in the discovery phase of the experiment.

• Directed and grouped by scientific areas like rocks and minerals, machines, compasses, sound, light, waves, and electricity, so parents can easily integrate experiments and activities into other science lessons and can avoid having to buy additional materials.

Parents also should look for a program whose maker has tested it so parents can be sure experiments will work for them. To save preparation time, a good science program should include all necessary materials to complete experiments or activities.

Reading Appropriate Materials is Key

The interest and ability of children to read are bolstered when they are given age-appropriate books that cover a wide range of topics, including biography and history.

Selecting a reading program that covers a wide range of topics will help children to develop an understanding and appreciation of various types of books, topics, and areas of interest. Parents who let their children choose all of the literature they will read run the risk of the children choosing books written at an inappropriate reading level (often too easy) or within a narrow subject area.

A reading program that selects a wide range of age-appropriate books on various topics can ease concerns for whether a book is right. The program's library becomes the child's library. A reading series also can assist family members or friends who want to contribute to a child's library, but are unsure what books to select.

A program that includes lessons and activities that enable a parent to participate in a thoughtful discussion about a book's theme, character development, and plot not only helps bring the book alive for the child, but also shows that the parent is as interested in reading as the child is. That interaction over a book encourages the child to read more.

Providing a child with a library of books to read, along with lessons and activities, can increase the interest and self-confidence of any child reader, especially the reluctant reader. It also can lead to a discovery in topics or types of literature a child might consider for future reading.

As with any selection of instructional materials, the goal with the selection of any science and reading materials should be to combine the natural wonder that children have with appropriate materials that expand their understanding of the world.

 

OUR SPONSOR: Calvert School
http://www.calvertschool.org

Calvert School's new Discoveries in Science kits and Discoveries in Reading series help children to discover the worlds of science and reading in fun and engaging ways. Discoveries in Science, with its Core and Intermediate kits, help build your child's knowledge of scientific concepts with grade-level experiments and activities. Kits include a lesson manual, experiments, activities, and all the supplies necessary to complete each experiment.

The Discoveries in Reading series introduces your child to literature, biography, and poetry while reinforcing and enriching the teaching of reading and the understanding of language. Activities included in each course extend your child's learning and extend his or her learning and ability to make connections, which are key to developing critical thinking skills. Each course comes with a series of age-appropriate books, lesson manual, activities and enrichment ideas, as well as a map that the child can color to chart progress within the program. Students also can receive a prize when they complete a course.

For more information on the Discoveries in Science kits and Discoveries in Reading series, contact Calvert School at inquiry@calvertservices.org.