Feb. 21, 2006 - Product Review: Noeo Science Physics II: Gizmos, Gadgets, Gears, and Gravity
I figured since others may be interested in using this curriculum, it
might be nice to have a review from someone who has tried it, which is
why i'm writing this review. I want to add that I in no was was
compensated by the company. I bought this myself, they don't even know
i have a penchant for reviewing stuff. I just thought i'd add that
since whenever i read completely glowing reviews i tend to wonder if
the reviewer's perspective was colored by the company, either by
recieving the product free to review, or other compensation.
I am a self confessed curriculum addict. Truly, this is the case! In particular, my family enjoys science, so ordering new science curricula is an awe inspiring moment in the Kvenvolden household. Sadly, we are often very disappointed with the curricula for one reason or other. Typically, i've found it confusing, cumbersome, dull, or the experiments have weird results. After doing our first day of Noeo Science, i'm pleased to say, none of these apply.
We recieved our package UPS delivered, yesterday evening. I ordered on Feb 13 two sets, this one as well as Chemistry II and both were contained, very well packaged in the nice big box, and came quickly. The Alldirect order i placed the same day hasn't even shipped yet! :-( So after I got back from the local homeschool group meeting, i took some time to go through the Instructor's guide to make a plan. We follow loosely, the well trained mind science plan, in which the first year we do life science, the second, earth and space science, third, chemistry and fourth physics. We are on year 2 of the cycle, and Noeo Science structures their plans a little differently. Space science, (which we've not yet done) falls under the physics category, so i bought that one to use part of it this year. So anyway, i wanted to start with space science. That begins on chapter 23 which works out super nicely, since we are already so far into the school year. Alex was super excited about doing electricity, so we're going to go through space and if he still wants to this summer we'll do some of the earlier chapters. So we all went to bed with visions of sugar plum pendulums dancing through our heads. :-)
Even I was excited enough to get up bright and early and get our "Story of the World" read so that we could do our science. I opened the binder to Day 23 and we began by reading "Along came Galileo" one of the literature selections included. Jeanne Bendick is a very talented writer, and my very technical, not so literature minded boys had no problem reading the introduction through page 25, the first week's entire assignment all in one shot. We then did the experiment at the end of the chapter, which was testing a pendulum and what would affect how long each swing took. We petered out a bit early on this experiment, we got the idea, and so we didn't fill in all the little boxes. Then i had my 10 year old, with my 7 year old looking on, fill in the reproducible experiment log. We all had a great time with this, and i'm excited to continue with this program!
Now, for a nuts and bolts piece by peice review of the products included in the set.
First is the Instructor's guide. I thought it was going to be like a packet of three hole punched pages in vaccum sealed plastic or something, but i was pleasantly surprised to find it came in a very high quality binder, a smaller one, maybe half inch? The binder itself is MUCH nicer than any of the binders i've bought for our family's use. (And being a WTM'er we have a LOT of binders!) Also the pages are printed on a smooth shiny paper. I was enjoying just rubbing my fingers across it! The presentation is outstanding. Now, on to content. The book is composed of the following, and introduction by the author, detailing specifics about the curricula, next is the reproducible masters of lab forms. Finally are the week by week schedules. I was struck by the relative smallness of the instructor's manual. The pages are printed on one side and the whole stack couldn't be more than a half inch thick. However, this does NOT mean that the program is incomplete. The introductory section gives great detail into features of the curriculum, their philosophy, their year plans, etc. Its good stuff, i'm glad its included. The lab forms are good as well, complete and they contain just the right amount of questions and writing. Too much would be bad for burnout, but still all the essentials are covered. Finally, the weekly schedule lays out a 4 day reading plan for the books in a chart, and on the bottom of the page tells you what to do on each day in addition to the reading. For example, you might read the assigned pages, then define or compare a few definitions or possibly do an experiment. We did the whole week 23 in one day but we skipped the reading lab pages, where you draw and write about what you learned. Also that seems like a very light week, i don't think you could do a whole week in 1 day normally, though it would be pheasible to do the week in 2 days, instead of 4 if that's how you structure your science program.
Secondly, the curriculum comes with all the literature you need to use the program. This is probably where much of the cost is incurred. However, the literature adds such a nice element to the program that its absolutely essential. The instructor's guide functions as a map, if you will for how to follow the program. But most of the solid information is found in the literature. I LOVE Noeo's choice of books for the year plans. They are great living books such as Archimedes and the door of science, and fun hands on books such as the Williamson Kids Can series. Also, the quantity is good, enough, but not TOO much.
Next is the big box of experiments! wahoo!! What a treat to have virtually everything included!! There is a list in the IG of supplies you need for certain weeks, but most is contained in the experiment kits. These kits are well made (by the young scientist club, a club that you can have one delivered each month.) They include all necessary supplies as well as a teacher and student guide to reinforce the information. i'm very pleased with them. They add the tactile experience factor that is totally necessary for a literature based curriculum.
My criticism is minor and few, I'd like to see a page that lists what topics are covered on what weeks. It was fairly easy enough to figure out based on the comments at the bottom of each page, but that would be helpful. I'd also like to see a list of supplementary activities and books ideally for each week, for students who really are enjoying what they are learning about and would like to continue before moving on.
Overall, i would say that i would heartily reccommend this curriculum
to others wanting a full bodied science experience. Its full but not
overwhelming and it doesn't take up a huge amount of time. Costwise I appreciate how for the levels I purchased, they didn't require the purchase of the two main books in order to get the discount. Their books are regularily 10% off, but when you buy the set you get the books for 20% off which is a LOT for a curriculum company. I'm surprised they can even make a profit selling the books for so little considering that their instructor's guides are a mere $20 or so. It really strikes me as a labor of love. Their customer service is great. They shipped my package very quickly. I think the next day? Also, when i wrote to the company to ask questions, both before purchase and after, they took the time to reply with detailed and thorough answers, which i appreciated. I think that Noeo Science is the next big science to hit the homeschool market, and i encourage all who are in the market to check them out! http://www.noeoscience.com
Comments
Mar. 17, 2006 - This may be the science I'm looking for!
Posted by mommylogue
Now if I can just get that grammar for me, lol.
Since you've got the set, I have to ask about the amount of Christian content. From the website, it looks like books are all secular, so any religous content would be in the IG? My agreement with my husband (it's a long story) is that we use secular curriculum, and it's proving hard to find good science curriculum that will both interest my daughter and not make me crazy putting it together.
You can either respond here (I'll check back) or email me at mommylogue@gmail.com Thanks!
Carson
Mar. 21, 2006 - is it Christian
Posted by mamakven
HI! yes, actually it IS Christian, which to me is a definate plus. It doesn't deal with doctrine directly though... at least for what i've seen, it gives a warning to parents that evolution is contained etc. I'm certain it won't TEACH evolution though, so if that's what you are looking for, you won't find it here.. Don't hesitate to email the company. The author of the curriculum is so incredibly prompt and thourough in answering questions. IF you do decide this one is not appropriate for your family, might i reccommend another? Real science at http://www.pandiapress.com/pubilcations.htm that would have been my second choice, and that one is secular, but also Christian friendly, imo :-)
rebecca
May. 14, 2006 - Noeoscience
Posted by Mingo
Thanks for the review of this product! They seem to be doing exactly what I was planning to do for myself (with more time and effort). I'm glad to hear that someone who enjoys doing science was pleased with the product.
Jun. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arrow
cool that you found something you like so well. Do you manage to stick with stuff? Do you do Story of the World every day? I thought you said Mystery of History was a lot better?
Jun. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arrow
I forgot to ask if you have ever seen or used any of AIG's science curriculum. Its sounds good but EXPENSIVE... maybe used...
Mar. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dana @ www.alexml.blogspot.com
Thanks for writing this review. I'm considering NOEO for next year's science (or maybe even this summer?) for my dd who is in 2nd grade. Have you written another review now that you've been with the curriculum a little longer? I'd like to see if you're still enjoying it. :-)
Dana