Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child

Homeschool Mom Confession: In almost 8 years of homeschooling, I have never had to purchase a full science curriculum. 

My kids have a natural interest in science that has allowed us to read books, watch YouTube channels and do experiments I find on Pinterest for the past seven years. It was enough – they both know more about science than any other kids I know.

Earlier this year however, my youngest son and I were in a meeting with a school liaison. (Because of my son’s learning differences, we are working with our local district to determine what, if any, services will help him.)

She asked my son what his favorite subject was and he answered her immediately.

“It’s science. I think I am ready for more adult science now.”

It got me thinking. As he gets older, I am looking for ways to help him transition to higher level, more formalized learning. Because he already has so much confidence and excitement in science, it occurred to me that he might benefit and transition well with a more traditional approach in this subject.

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child - By Design Science Curriculum Review #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolscience

Please know, although I was compensated for my time in writing this post, I only share programs that work well for my family. It is my hope that they might work well for yours too.

Choosing a curriculum was not easy.

My son is profoundly gifted. He is also profoundly dyslexic and has a myriad of other needs that must be taken into account in his learning. I knew I needed something a little advanced (not only because of his twice exceptionality, but because he already knows so much from learning with his high school aged brother).

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child - By Design Science Curriculum Review #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolscience

After asking my homeschool sisters for their recommendations and doing a little research online, I made the decision to try By Design Science, from Kendall Hunt Religious Publishers.

By Design Science (for grades 1-8)

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child - By Design Science Curriculum Review #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolscience

Why Choose By Design Science

Adaptive Curriculum

By Design Science is an adaptive curriculum. This means that it has been created with the expressed purpose of teacher flexibility and adaptability. Multiple options are provided in various modalities for each and every concept.

Beautiful, Visual Resources

The textbook, although robust and mature, also includes vibrant colors and exceptionally well-done pictures and diagrams. For my visual learner, this matters in any curriculum consideration.

Accelerated Learning

By Design Science is robust and quite accelerated, something I needed to keep my child’s interest. Again, because science is a natural strength, I wanted to challenge him, while still maintaining his love of the subject.

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child - By Design Science Curriculum Review #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolscience

Why By Design Science Works So Well For My Child

Activity Based Mastery

In addition to all the considerations above, I have found By Design Science to be a great fit for my son, because of it’s hands-on, activity based approach. Each lesson includes at least one, and often two or three options for hands-on, experiential based learning ( a MUST for my child!).

Some of our favorites include:

Constructing a Model Ecosystem

Analyzing the Tissues of a Chicken Wing

Building A 3D Model of an Atom

Creating a Fossil Mold and Cast

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child - By Design Science Curriculum Review #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolscience

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child

Adaptive Learning Allows For Flexibility without Increasing Mom’s Workload

The truth is, because By Design Science is an adaptive curriculum, it has done all the hard work for me. Often, with less robust programs, I am the one trying to find and incorporate more activities or vary the learning modality to best suit my son’s needs.

With By Design Science, it is all included and available right away, with no extra work on my part.

Why An Adaptive Science Curriculum Is The Best Choice For My Child - By Design Science Curriculum Review #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolscience

Overall, I am quite pleased with this program. The content, the presentation and the flexibility make it a perfect fit for my family. 

Want to learn more?

In addition to By Design Science, Kendall Hunt Religious Publishers has a variety of curriculum options, including:

Pathways Reading Language Arts for grades 1-8

Talented and Gifted Programs in Mathematics

Kindergarten Stepping Stones

Social Studies, Science and Language Arts programs developed in collaboration with the Center for Gifted Education College of William and Mary  

 

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