R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey- Life (level one) (R.E.A.L. Science -Read, Explore, Absorb & Learn Science)

Terri Williams' R.E.A.L. Science - Life (level one) was so eagerly awaited by the classical education homeschooling community that the slightest whisper of progress toward release was reported endlessly in a kind of whisper-down-the-lane fashion. Classical ed message boards, e-mail lists, and IRL support groups lapped up even the smallest kernals of news pointing towards readiness. It was worth the wait. From offering parents encouragement for learning and teaching the "big words" of science ("Hey, you learned the names of all those dinosaurs your kids like, right?") to providing a guide to the "big ideas" and "small ideas" of each unit to laying out an entire year of life science work in an easy-to-follow, engaging fashion, Terri Williams has created what I'm sure will become the go-to, top-of-mind curriculum for every parent seeking age-appropriate life sciences instruction for their children. Most labs require items found simply around the house (or else are easy to acquire) and are a perfect length for a young person's attention span. Combining observation and experimental action, each lab includes some reading preparation, and a page or two of predicting findings and recording results. Other activities include keeping a snail "pet", making "cells" out of jell-o and fruit, and beginning a nature/science journal. All of these activities will engage parents as much as their young students. The print is clear and well-sized for young readers, and the content is very understandable for even the youngest scientist in terms of grammar and syntax. I cannot recommend Terri Williams R.E.A.L. Science-Life enough. Her work provides our little homeschool some of its happiest, most engaged moments.