For season 10 of the Tips for Homeschool Science Show we talked about what living books are and how you can use them for homeschool science. In this season we shared both audio and video for each episode. 

You can listen to the full season here:

Or you can watch the full season here: 

Living books and Science at Home

If you don't want to binge listen, check out all seven episodes, plus one bonus episode, from this season below.

Episode 117 - What is a Living Book? (with Leah Boden, the Modern Miss Mason)

In this episode, we'll be discussing what living books are with Charlotte Mason education expert, Leah Boden, the Modern Miss Mason.

Key Takeaways

1. A traditional education spoon-feeds. A Charlotte Mason education ask of the child, "Why don't you contribute?"
2. Living books help our kids to form relationships with knowledge.
3. If a book is full of facts and pictures, it's not a living book.

Listen to episode 117 here.

Episode 118 - Living books for science, along with a few recommendations

In this episode of the Tips for Homeschool Science podcast, we'll be discussing what to look for in a living book for science, how you can use these books, and a few suggestions for you to check out! 

Key Takeaways

1. You want a living book to pull the reader in such a way that they don't even realize that they're learning about science.
2. We can use living books as a resource that we add on to our current science program to add a little bit more interest. Or we can use living books as our main spine or main source of information for science.
3. However you choose to use living books for science, you can't go wrong! You are creating an interest and a passion in this subject within your students by using these resources. 

Listen to episode 118 here. 

Episode 119 - How to use living books for elementary science

In this episode, we'll be chatting about what you need for elementary science and what it looks like when you use a living book as your main source of information.

Key Takeaways

1. Living books are definitely excellent tools we can use to accomplish the goals for elementary science. 
2. Remember, with living books, we're creating a relationship with the knowledge. So we want these narrations and these written and notebook pages to be a personal record of what the student has learned. For the first three days you're reading and writing and you're doing, you're getting those three keys done. Then if you want to add in extra projects, you can do those on the next two days.

Listen to episode 119 here.

Episode 120 - Morning Time and Living Books (with Pam Barnhill)

In this episode, the queen of morning time, Pam Barnhill, is coming on to share about this homeschooling game-changer.

Key Takeaways

1. Morning time is the best time of the day! It's about connections, efficiency, and quick wins. 
2. Morning time is a great time to add in living books on science. 
3. Morning time is also a good time to look at nature.

Listen to episode 120 here.

Episode 121 - How to use living books for middle school science

In this episode, we'll be chatting about what you need for middle school science and what it looks like when you use a living book as your main source of information.

Key Takeaways

1. The three keys remain the same - do, read, and write - but they mature with your students.
2. Discussion time is still just as important, but the questions you ask will be more thought-provoking and less information-parroting.
3. Don't forget to add in a science fair project!

Listen to episode 121 here.

Episode 122 - Nature Study and Living Books (with Cindy West)

In this episode, the empress of nature study, Cindy West, is coming on to share about this homeschooling game-changer.

Key Takeaways

1. Nature study is science! It's experiential and hands-on, almost as if it's a science lab for your kids. 
2. Nature study can be ever-changing based on the needs of your homeschool. Maybe that's the most important thing to say about nature study - it can look like whatever you want it to look like in your homeschool.
3. It's exercise. It's sunshine. It's getting oxygen to muscles. It's getting the wiggles out. 

Listen to episode 122 here.

Episode 123 - Are living books the only way to teach homeschool science?

In this episode, we'll be discussing whether or not living books are superior and if they are the only tools you should use in your homeschool.

Key Takeaways

1. Living books are really wonderful resources to have in our homeschooling toolbox. 
2. Living books help create interest pegs and these interest pegs can help boost retention of the material.
3. Living books aren't necessarily superior or the only way to teach science, but rather a tool that we have in our homeschooling toolbox.

Listen to episode 123 here.

{Bonus} How the Sassafras Science Series Works

Wondering how the Sassafras Science series came about? And how this modern living book will work for science in your home? In this Season 10 bonus episode, we're answering these questions and more!

Ready to begin your story-based science adventure? Click on one of the following volumes to learn more or add one of the products below to get started.

Pre-Journey

• Summer's Lab (Best for Kindergarten, Full-year)

The Main Adventure

• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 1: Zoology (Best for K through 5th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 2: Anatomy (Best for K through 5th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 3: Botany (Best for K through 5th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 4: Earth Science (Best for K through 5th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 5: Geology (Best for 1st through 6th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 6: Astronomy (Best for 1st through 6th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 7: Chemistry (Best for 1st through 6th grade, Semester-long)
• The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 8: Physics (Best for 1st through 6th grade, Semester-long)