Nebel's Elementary Education: Creating a Tapestry of Learning [Paperback]

Bernard J. Nebel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2001

Gives both subject content and teaching methods for a complete, superior K-6 education. Especially strong in the sciences, also addresses economics, government, and character education. The 3Rs are integrated throughout. Each subject is presented in a logically building, integrated sequence that leads to broad comprehensive understanding. Child-centered, investigative approach throughout, including hundreds of hands-on activities, promises to foster love of learning. Gives web references and additional support for users.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am delighted with this book. It answers my search for one organized resource [for] my children's education." -- Amy Motzenbecker, professional lawyer and mother of two

"I loved this book and its unique apprach...Highly applicable for parents as well as elementary teachers." -- Tara Ebersol, Professor of Elementary Education and parent

"This is fabulous! So comprehensive." -- Barbara ten Brink, Ph.D., Science Director, Round Rock Independent School District, Round Rock, Texas

About the Author

With a B.A. from Earlham College (1960) and a Ph.D. in plant science from Duke University (1965), my career has embraced research, teaching, and writing. I am an author of a widely use text, Environmental Science. The last six years have been a labor of love as I have drawn on a lifetime of knowledge and experience to create this volume, which will aid parents and teachers in presenting a better elementary education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: Nebel's Press for Learning (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588208923
• ISBN-13: 978-1588208927
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #924,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A curriculum strong in science!, October 12, 2002

By 

Ann O'Neal (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nebel's Elementary Education: Creating a Tapestry of Learning (Paperback)

I am homeschooling a gifted 5 year old who is intensely science-oriented. Every science curriculum I've looked at is either way too easy for him (the typical elementary school curriculum) or too reading/writing oriented (the typical middle school curriculum). I am delighted to have found Nebel's Elementary Education. It provides a strong and well-balanced curriculum overall, but especially so in the sciences. The science portions are simply the most complete and challenging science curriculum I have found, while still being the kind of hands-on curriculum that an active young boy needs.

There is a strong emphasis on collections, from leaves to bugs to rocks, and learning about the enormous complexity of the natural world. What I like best is the way the inter-relationships between different areas of science are stressed. No topic is studied in isolation, and the author has taken great care to connect each topic with related topics (so instead of studying the human skeleten the student studies skeletal systems across the animal kingdom) and to connect the topics with other areas of science (for example, the physics underlying the movement of the skeletal system as muscles pull on it). This makes for an extremely strong curriculum that will undoubtedly lead to a strong understanding of the natural world.

Nebel's Elementary Education is very hands-on, tons of activities and experiments, and very flexible... the scope and sequence is similar for each grade level, with the complexity and depth of study increasing each year. This is especially helpful to me, as a homeschooler, since I will be able to include my younger children in most of the discussions and activities.

Dr. Nebel has included teaching suggestions, bulletin board and wall display ideas... there is a lot of extremely good information in this book, in addition to the actual curriculum material.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Education Book with Emphasis on Science, May 7, 2006

By 

Learning All The Time "It's Never Too Late to... (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nebel's Elementary Education: Creating a Tapestry of Learning (Paperback)

I stumbled across this book when I asked the Well Trained Mind Discussion Board to recommend a program to introduce my kids to fundamentals of economics. Two people recommended "Nebels", which I googled searched, found, and purchased.

I was quite surprised that economics is just one chapter. But it is an excellent introduction, and is indicative of all the other interesting ideas in this book.

The book begins with a discussion of teaching strategies, and it is interesting to see that as a homeschooling parent, I am providing the first three methods in spades - lecturing, hands-on activities, and coaching. However, my children are not experiencing much in the way of "seminaring", or small group discussions. Reading his section, I can see how valuable this would be for my children - to help my son communicate his ideas orally and help my daughter learn to listen to others patiently and thoughtfully.

After the first chapter, the Nebels book is divided into themes.

The first theme is "Communication", which discusses strategies for teaching reading, writing and fine arts. I do wish this chapter discussed oral communication as well - recitations, public speaking, presentations.

The second theme is "Values, Purpose, History and Society", which contains three chapters. The first chapter is on virtues/values/justice. It doesn't really discuss history, other than to say use a timeline, make history relevant, and check out various scope/sequences such as the Core Knowledge Curriculum and state standards. I would also suggest the Well-Trained Mind as an excellent resource.

The next chapter is on "Economics: Exchanging Goods and Services"; and the next on "Government and Leadership". These chapters are not textbooks that tell you exactly how and what to teach, but rather guidelines that urge you to cover certain concepts and material.

So far, this covers about 25% of the book.

The rest of the book is a wonderful science text, the three themes are "Discovering our Planet Earth" (4 chapters), "Water Wonders" (1 chapter), and "Physical Forces and Principles" (4 chapters). These chapters are very specific in the material to be covered and the methods to help children experientially learn the concepts/ideas.

There is also an interesting theme/chapter on "Numerical Skills" which discusses mathematical concepts a child should learn by the end of elementary school. This is not a math program in itself, but you can compare the math program you are using to the ideas in this chapter to make sure you are covering your bases and that the child can apply math in a practical way.

All in all, I think this is a very interesting and valuable book. I am surprised this book is not more widely known among homeschoolers.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, February 18, 2003

By 

Melissa Milligan (Cordova, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nebel's Elementary Education: Creating a Tapestry of Learning (Paperback)

I bought Nebel's Elementary Education on an impulse and have been most impressed with Dr. Nebel's educational philosophy and his ideas on implementing them into a child's life. The science education that most children recieve is dismal. I am most grateful that I have Nebel's Elementary Education to help me along the way to guide my children in discovering the world around them. If you are looking for a book to help you help your child learn reading, writing, math, government, and a broad range of science areas then this is it!