Back to school time, back to science class, how can you help your kids?
To quote from the omnipresent Staples commercial running right now … "… The most wonderful time of the year …". Yep time for kids to start school again and that means science class too. Now my kids don’t have any problem getting help in math or science. We’ve pretty much all the bases covered, but what if you’re not a scientist? What if you still bear the scars of chem class of years past? Here are some tips for you.
First, relax. Yeah I know, but really the less trepidation you show to your kids the less trepidation they will have towards the subject.
Second, get help if you need it. Ask a sci-geek friend, neighbor, try the library. There are lots of ways to find cool science projects or explain election valence to your kids. Heck even a fun experiment using oil and water can illustrate the principle of density.
Third, ask me. Yep, I’m putting myself out there as a science homework helper. If I don’t know the answer, I know I can find someone who will. A solid understanding of science is so, so important in today’s world and economy. Just as important as being able to use computers. Need help? Just e-mail me at tris AT b5media DOT com. I would like to post the question, if that’s okay with you (I will ask, but please note that this is the intention of this program) and the answer. Of course don’t e-mail me the night before the big project is due, I probably won’t be able to help in time.
As I was composing this post in my head yesterday I thought, what about parents who are science oriented or scientists? Are there tips for us? I think so. One thing I know I am guilty of sometimes when trying to explain something to my kids is making it too complicated. Getting into the nuances and gray areas of the topic. So my advice is, keep it simple. Look most elementary and middle school science teachers aren’t going to get into the subtlies of a topic, so don’t try to fill in the gaps. Now if the teacher is wrong, well that’s another story and you should tell both your child and the teacher.
Okay so that’s it then. Relax, keep it simple, and get help. I think that about does it. Operators are standing by …
Tags: science education, science help, homework help
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