amtmcm
- Reviewed on Sunday, January 25, 2009
- Grades Used: 7th
- Dates used: 2008-2009
We are enjoying the first year of Rainbow Science and plan to continue with the second year.
To comment on previous reviews, the material seems simple, but I think it is because the author is very concise. I like how the lab directly reinforces the textbook lessons and adds the details through hands-on activities. It is very well planned out.
The book includes many nice photographs and illustrations so it's good for a visual learner. Each lesson in the textbook takes about 15-30 minutes and the lab takes 30-60 minutes including clean-up. It's planned for 3 days per week (lesson, lesson, lab) but it's very flexible and easy to get through.
In my opinion, a middle school student who is advanced and/or very enthusiastic about science could complete the entire 2 year curriculum in 1 year working 4 days per week (2 lessons, lab, 2 lessons, lab). But the well planned and relaxed schedule of 2 lessons and 1 lab per week is perfect for a student who is used to a more gentle approach or hasn't been very enthusiastic about science. And after using the Rainbow I wouldn't be surprised if that student finds a new interest in Science!
For a student who has already had a solid introduction to Physics, Chemistry and Biology this will be review or reinforcement (depending on how you look at it). As a first introduction to these topics we couldn't have been happier. I believe Rainbow Science is an excellent preparation for high school level science.
Pros: Full color textbook, weekly hands-on labs ideal for kinesthetic learner, thorough introduction (including Chemistry which is missing from another popular curriculum), well layed-out, easy to implement.
Cons: Textbook is pricey. (Lab cost seems to be in line with pricing for comparable all inclusive labs for other popular textbooks.)
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Gaye of PA
- Reviewed on Friday, May 23, 2008
- Grades Used: 6th-8th
- Dates used: 2004-2006
We very very much enjoyed the Rainbow Science:
We were always discouraged with science curriculums because it seems like so many are "hit and miss." A chapter on birds, a chapter on the sun, a chapter on volcanoes. And then BOOM! Heavy science in high school.
That was until we found Rainbow Science, published by Beginnings Publishing House. We used it for the junior high years, and I couldn't have been more pleased. It explains heavy topics in a way I've not seen anywhere else. Fantastic prep for the higher grades.
It's expensive, but to me, well worth it.
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4wildberries
- Reviewed on Saturday, February 02, 2008
- Grades Used: 8th
- Dates used: 2007/2008
The Rainbow Science sounded like a great program because of the conversational writing TO the student, excellent experiments and all the supplies included for all the experiments. But after only getting through the Physics (red) portion, I am a little bewildered at the lack of meat to this program. Each lesson is no more than 2-3 pages with no more than 5-6 questions to answer. I just don't feel that for a 7th-8th grade level program, this is near enough information to cover the topics. The program is rather expensive, and in the Teachers Manual, there are reviews for each colored section, but only for the END of each topic section. There are more comprehensive review quizzes available to PRINT from the website that cover every 4 lessons---not included in the cost of the program. I think these quizzes AND their answers should be included in the Teacher's Manual to make a more complete program. I looked over the whole program again today to decide if I wanted to go ahead and use it with my son, but again, I am left scratching my head wondering WHERE the meat of this program is. Honestly, almost every topic covered in the whole 2 year program is covered in much more depth in the BJU 6th science program he is using this year! The program looked and sounded wonderful---but I feel that it is just not meaty enough to use for a 7th AND 8th grade science program.
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leah
- Reviewed on Monday, July 31, 2006
- Grades Used: 7th
- Dates used: 2005-2006
At first we loved this program. We did the physics component and my son enjoyed the text and labs. But, chemistry didn't teach him anything he didn't already know. Plus, the labs were not challenging at all. There was so much more we did with activities off the Internet and a chemistry kit from Treasure Box Press.
I decided to skip the biology component. We did our own reading and he attended a dissection class where he had to write reports and dissected 7 different specimens.
We like the style of writing and the fact that the author got to the point and didn't ramble on and make something simple sound so difficult. The photographs were wonderful and there were some good explanations of concpets. It's just that the lab portion fell short.
Lee
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