TOS Review: Science Weekly

Published 15 times a year from September to May, Science Weekly explores one science or math topic per issue.  Resembling a newsletter format, issues are 4 (8 1/2 x 11) pages long and filled with age appropriate material and activities.  Each issue is available in 6 levels:

• Pre-A – geared  for grade K. 
• Level A—for grade 1
• Level B—for grade 2 
• Level C—for grade 3
• Level D---for grade 4
• Level E—for grades 5-6

Each level contains a vocabulary section, a math section, a writing with science section and a lab.  You will also find a variety of challenges and puzzles.

 
On the Left: Level Pre A On the Right: Level E

The Teacher Guide—In my opinion this is the heart of the publication.  It is a necessary component to adequately present the material for the younger students. The Teacher Guide also contains the answers to all the questions.  I would not want to use Science Weely without the Teacher Guide.

My Thoughts---  I received all 6 levels of one issue (Composting)and I was able to view all six levels of two online sample issues (Coral Reefs & Sport Science).  This product is geared for classrooms. It may work well for home school co-ops but may not always work well for home school.  Some activities are group oriented and could be difficult to accomplish in a typical home school setting. Though my children seemed to enjoy these, I do not see myself adding them to our science studies.

I read the material from the Teacher Guide to all four of my girls.  We discussed the vocabulary.  The Teacher Guide has questions geared for each grade.  I choose the Pre-A and A level questions and directed them at Supergirl.  If she was unable to answer, then I would ask one of the other girls to answer.  We opted NOT to do the composting lab. We did however, read through the activity and discussed what would happen and why it would happen.   I had planned on doing this with just the “1st grader” and the 6th grader however, the 8th grader wanted to be a part of it.  I gave the 8th grader Level E to complete and the 6th grader Level D.  Supergirl is working through both PreA and A.

I really like the science labs.  These are not just activities but real experiments and even the Pre A level asks students to make a predication and draw a conclusion. I like that all 6 labs are related and move in complexity from one level to the next.  For example in the Coral Reef Sample, the younger students simply dissolve salt in water while older students compare samples of water to determine which one has the most salt.  

For ordering options click here.  A single subscription (one level) is $19.95.  For 20 or more subscriptions, the price drops to $4.95 per subscription.  One Teacher Guide is included for every 25 subscriptions.  That means even if you are only ordering one or two subscriptions for your family, you will still get a Teacher Guide.  If you are ordering as part of a group and need more Teacher Guides you can request more by sending an email or giving them a call. 

For a copy of the order form (which can be mailed or faxed) click HERE.

To contact Science Weekly:
email inquiries@scienceweekly.com 
Toll Free: 1.800.4.WEEKLY
(1.800.493.3559)
Phone: 301.680.8804
Fax: 301.680.9240
Website: http://www.scienceweekly.com/

Please click on the banner below to read what my fellow crewmates have to say about Science Weekly. 

Disclaimer: As a TOS Crew member, I received all six levels plus the Teacher Guide for one issue of Science Weekly free of charge to review. This review is my honest opinion with, hopefully, enough detail as to why I liked or did not like a product so that my readers can make an informed decision. I received no compensation.