This is my first year homeschooling. I am three weeks into this and I hate it. I would change but I think it will serve it's purpose for the year. I had to go to the library and get lots of books and watch You Tube videos to supplement. It's just blah and not engaging at all. I was so excited for this curriculum.
I had a similar experience, if you review my past comments to this video. But, in contrast, we loved RSO Bio 2! So I wouldn’t rule out RSO entirely for future classes.
Thank you for your review! This year we have been using Exploring The Building Blocks of Science. I don't care for the lab book. I like how this curriculum seems to have some easy pages to complete after reading. Are you enjoying it now that you have probably completed some lessons?
Honestly, it wasn't my favorite. It seemed too easy in some parts and too hard in others. But we're also doing RSO Bio 2 with my eldest and I think it is excellent.
We tried this also for my 1st grader. It was not a good fit. I'm not sure why, but we just really didn't care for it. We switched to Evan Moor Daily Science and the Exploring Nature with Children.
We are getting History Quest this year, and I'm considering this for science - how many days a week is this, and roughly how long does it take for a lesson?
We do not follow any particular schedule, but it is designed as a curriculum for various ages so you can go at your own pace. Each topic (22 topics) include 1 to 3 lessons complete with lesson story, labs, reading, and other activities. Each topic will take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to complete, depending on the age/ability of your kiddo.
Thank you for the flip through, did you feel it was lacking anything? Did you supplement with other books? I like the idea of this book but I prefer something with nice real colorful pictures. My daughter loves to visually see what we are talking about.
Hi, I found this curriculum to be mixed - there were some excellent activities and the overall scope of the topics was good. However, some lessons appeared to be overly complicated for the intended age level while others were far too simplistic. I will not be using it again with my youngest. I did supplement with several other books, including Usborne science readers and encyclopedia and several DK books. In contrast, if you are looking at RSO Bio 2 later, I think that curriculum was excellent!
Hi! Thanks for this helpful reviews. I came across your channel while searching for reviews for Nancy Larson Science. I'm looking for a curriculum for me 1st grader. How do you feel NLS and RSO compare? Is there a reason you stopped using NLS? Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! I actually still use Nancy Larson Level 1 - now for my youngest. But I didn't use the next level of Nancy Larson because I didn't need the level of scripting it provides. With the cost comparison, I felt like my budget could be better spent on other materials. After using RSO Life, though, I wouldn't recommend it. It seems to meander between too simple and too complicated for the intended age level.
Yes! I don’t think it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but it provides a good framework for more exploration. I like the advanced Bio 2 level from them much more.
I have not, but it was not my favorite program. It seemed to veer between too easy and too hard for the intended age group. But I've liked RSO Bio II much more - it is a very thorough and organized program.
Hi! We enjoyed it, but I think there are better introductory biology courses for kids this age. Namely, I found more success utilizing a combination of Core Knowledge books, old Harcourt science textbooks, and Nancy Larson Science. This RSO Life Level I was a little all over the place - overly complex in some areas and too simple in others. In contrast, we LOVED RSO Bio II.
@@ProjectHappyHome Thank you for your thoughts. I have not heard of Nancy Larson Science, so you gave me something new to check out. My child is 7 ("2nd grade") this coming year, so we may save RSO for down the road. ETA: I just noticed you have some videos on Nancy Larson Science. Yay!
@@stephanieaz82 I have a video or two on Level 1 Nancy Larson - it is pricey but very complete. Several families I know have continued with it because of the excellent retention of info their kids have experienced.
I just ordered this and I’m excited to use this with my elementary aged kids. Thank you for the flip through. 😊
We enjoyed our time with this program during our younger years of homeschooling.
This is my first year homeschooling. I am three weeks into this and I hate it. I would change but I think it will serve it's purpose for the year. I had to go to the library and get lots of books and watch You Tube videos to supplement. It's just blah and not engaging at all. I was so excited for this curriculum.
I had a similar experience, if you review my past comments to this video. But, in contrast, we loved RSO Bio 2! So I wouldn’t rule out RSO entirely for future classes.
Thank you for your review! This year we have been using Exploring The Building Blocks of Science. I don't care for the lab book. I like how this curriculum seems to have some easy pages to complete after reading. Are you enjoying it now that you have probably completed some lessons?
Honestly, it wasn't my favorite. It seemed too easy in some parts and too hard in others. But we're also doing RSO Bio 2 with my eldest and I think it is excellent.
this was a very helpful video! Thank you I will defiantly be ordering
You're so welcome!
I've looked at this. Will be interested to hear your review.
The more we use it, the more I like it for 2-3rd grade. I think it’s too elementary for 4-5th.
We tried this also for my 1st grader. It was not a good fit. I'm not sure why, but we just really didn't care for it. We switched to Evan Moor Daily Science and the Exploring Nature with Children.
We love the Evan-Moor Daily Science series! I agree, I wasn't fond of this program for Grade 1. I think it really is best suited to 2nd-3rd graders.
We are getting History Quest this year, and I'm considering this for science - how many days a week is this, and roughly how long does it take for a lesson?
We do not follow any particular schedule, but it is designed as a curriculum for various ages so you can go at your own pace. Each topic (22 topics) include 1 to 3 lessons complete with lesson story, labs, reading, and other activities. Each topic will take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to complete, depending on the age/ability of your kiddo.
@@ProjectHappyHome thanks, do you have to do it in their order ? Or could you do the animals section before the human one ?
Thank you for the flip through, did you feel it was lacking anything? Did you supplement with other books? I like the idea of this book but I prefer something with nice real colorful pictures. My daughter loves to visually see what we are talking about.
Hi, I found this curriculum to be mixed - there were some excellent activities and the overall scope of the topics was good. However, some lessons appeared to be overly complicated for the intended age level while others were far too simplistic. I will not be using it again with my youngest. I did supplement with several other books, including Usborne science readers and encyclopedia and several DK books. In contrast, if you are looking at RSO Bio 2 later, I think that curriculum was excellent!
@@ProjectHappyHome thank you so much for your response!
Hi! Thanks for this helpful reviews. I came across your channel while searching for reviews for Nancy Larson Science. I'm looking for a curriculum for me 1st grader. How do you feel NLS and RSO compare? Is there a reason you stopped using NLS? Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! I actually still use Nancy Larson Level 1 - now for my youngest. But I didn't use the next level of Nancy Larson because I didn't need the level of scripting it provides. With the cost comparison, I felt like my budget could be better spent on other materials. After using RSO Life, though, I wouldn't recommend it. It seems to meander between too simple and too complicated for the intended age level.
@@ProjectHappyHome so, what science curriculum are you following now if not rso? Could you please share?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this curriculum vs SCI.
I think they can work well in tandem with each other. I find both to be thin on content at this age level.
Hi Tanya! I was wondering how this is going? Are you and your kids enjoying it?
Yes! I don’t think it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but it provides a good framework for more exploration. I like the advanced Bio 2 level from them much more.
@@ProjectHappyHome this is good feedback. Thank you!
Have you done a review on this one now that you've used it?
I have not, but it was not my favorite program. It seemed to veer between too easy and too hard for the intended age group. But I've liked RSO Bio II much more - it is a very thorough and organized program.
Would love an update on this. :)
Hi! We enjoyed it, but I think there are better introductory biology courses for kids this age. Namely, I found more success utilizing a combination of Core Knowledge books, old Harcourt science textbooks, and Nancy Larson Science. This RSO Life Level I was a little all over the place - overly complex in some areas and too simple in others. In contrast, we LOVED RSO Bio II.
@@ProjectHappyHome Thank you for your thoughts. I have not heard of Nancy Larson Science, so you gave me something new to check out. My child is 7 ("2nd grade") this coming year, so we may save RSO for down the road.
ETA: I just noticed you have some videos on Nancy Larson Science. Yay!
@@stephanieaz82 I have a video or two on Level 1 Nancy Larson - it is pricey but very complete. Several families I know have continued with it because of the excellent retention of info their kids have experienced.