Customer Reviews

Nebel's Elementary Education: Creating a Tapestry of Learning

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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.

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.

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!

My nine-year-old son is a budding scientist, and he has little patience with the more language arts- based curricula ususally offered. Nebel's has provided an alternative that has made him a more eager student, and me a more relaxed and happy teacher!

The book has a framework for all the basic subjects that should be covered in elementary school, along with suggested websites, over 200 experiments and many ideas for getting the points across. The first chapter, "Teaching Strategies", is very valuable.

The book is non-sectarian, with no disrespect for religion or the lack thereof, so it can be used by anyone.

When you call something a curriculum, I imagine it contains lesson plans and other specifics. This book doesn't. Many people prefer to add in their own structure and details, and if so they can get a great deal from Nebel's book. Personally, I found the initial chapters on teaching to be very helpful. I'm keeping the book solely to re-read them. The organization of the themes made little sense to me, and some of the material covered seemed narrow in its scope.

So, I recommend Nebel's Elementary Ed as a how to teach book. The lists of resources after each chapter are also very nice, though since many are websites and the book was published in 2001 I don't know how many of those are still extant.

This book is an amazing teaching tool whether you are a parent home-schooling (or not) or an educator. In addition to the instructions of how to do many, many hands-on exercises and "scientific experiments," which enable you to get a child excited about lerning and to bring them to think for themself, it includes a chapter on basic "virtues"(not "values" which can vary widely depending on many factors.)

And to put the icing on the cake, you can join Dr. Nebel's on-going on-line email newsgroup to communicate with him and also other parents/teachers who are using the book - to ask questions, make suggestions or share experiences. This book is particularly a "must" for parents who are home-schooling.

Dr. Nebel has followed-up with a new book, formatted in specific lesson plans.

I really like this book! It's very simple to understand and follow the recommendations. We're making use of the 'notebook' idea ourselves, and my sons actually like looking back to see the work they've done. I also particularly like 'Theme Four: Living, Nonliving, and Human-made Things'. Science is one of my sons' favorite subjects. I like the way you explain things in 'every day terms' that are easily presented to a youngster with an inquisitive mind. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to look over your book. I have already recommended it to a couple of friends who are thinking about home schooling their children. Thank you again, and God bless!