5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent middle school text, July 7, 2010
This review is from: Earth Science, Grade 7 (Holt Science & Tech 2001) (Hardcover)
I got this book as a homeschooling mom to use with a fifth grader who is very into science. There are three books in the series - Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. I've had the books for about a week, and have looked extensively through all three, and gone in depth through the Earth Science one to develop my lesson plan for the fall. There are lots of labs, ranging from simple to elaborate (we'll be doing some kind of lab almost every day). You will need lab equipment to do all the labs, including a great number of mineral samples, but there are many simple labs that don't require special equipment. There is a very helpful website that gives a lot of supplemental activities from worksheets to even MORE labs to science puzzles related to each chapter to online quizzes. The books point out the role of math in science in every chapter, which I know will impress my daughter, and sure would have helped me out when I was a kid. And there are several places in each book where they recommend a particular science fiction story that relates to the material (something I was planning on doing on my own anyway, it was nice to find someone else did the work for me!). And of course all three books present the age of the earth, evolution, etc., as fact.
But the thing that impresses me most is the breadth and depth of the subject material - a lot of this is material that I didn't cover until high school, and while it is not covered in as much depth as a high school text, it is covered enough that the materials will not seem unfamiliar when it is encountered again later. The Earth Science text has kids reading meteorological maps, identifying rocks through various tests, and more. Despite the difficulty of the material, the reading is not - would be challenging for a child with reading difficulties, but my rising 5th grader who has never been an avid reader wouldn't have any problem with it. The one flaw I've found so far is it refers to global warming as something still swirling with uncertainty - but the edition I have is about 10 years old, so that will be easy to just point out that NOW scientists are pretty much decided.
I know that a lot of secular homeschooling moms are concerned about how to get kids ready for high school science. I think this is a good solution - probably would not work for a kid who didn't care for math or hands-on activities, or a poor reader. But if you are looking for something for that age of child, these are worth checking out.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fast Service, October 22, 2010
This review is from: Earth Science, Grade 7 (Holt Science & Tech 2001) (Hardcover)
The textbook came quickly even before it was deducted from my checking account. Having this textbook at home will help my son's back so he doesn't have to lug his school-issued textbook back and forth. It has come in handy several times already. The condition of the textbook I received was in better shape than his school-issued book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
not much to say really, October 8, 2008
This review is from: Earth Science, Grade 7 (Holt Science & Tech 2001) (Hardcover)
I receive email saying they shipped my book to another person, and had to wait for that person to ship it back( if that makes sence). I waited few weeks and did not receive the book, they gave me the refund.
I most likely will not order from them again.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
