Customer Reviews

How the Earth Works (How It Works)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is the single most helpful book I have ever run across in trying to explain to my very visual son what happens when different earth phenomens occur. The experiments in this book brought to life the workings of our planet to my son in the 2nd grade. That was 5 years ago and he still remembers the experiments we did out of this book. The experiments can be recreated out of ordinary household/garage items. You will be amazed. I submit you will learn more about "How The Earth Works" than you thought possible. This will generate conversations with your children that will last a lifetime. Stop being afraid of science. Go through this book with your children.

I did not intend to use this book to teach from - more as a "Dip-in" book for my son. However, I have found it to be comprehensive, having fun practical ideas and experiments, containing little bios on scientist of years gone by who have contributed to each area. I am merrily teaching my way through it now.
We are about half way. I have skipped some of the activities mainly because they took too much work for the actual point being made. However, most of them have been engaging and easy to follow.
My kids, 9 and 11, have enjoyed them.
This book is neither overwhelming nor boring. Whilst there is much more to learn about each area covered, I think this is a wonderful introduction and overview which has spring boarded us into wanting to dig deeper.

I would not recommend buying this book. I purchased it to use for home schooling because it was recommended in The Well Trained Mind book. While visually appealing and fairly informative, the experiments and demonstrations are nothing but frustrating and usually do not work. I invested a lot of time and some money into the experiments and they simply did not work. I am educated and have no problem following directions, so I have to admit I do not think that was the problem. I can't get rid of my book fast enough. Good luck to you if you decide to use this book!