Science Video Lessons For Homeschool
I love the idea of kids seeing people having fun learning about science. Video is a great way to make this happen. Learn more about science video lessons for homeschool in this post sponsored by Generation Genius.
If you’ve been reading The Homeschool Scientist blog for anytime at all, you know this. If you are new here, then listen. This is very important.
Science is not boring facts and hard to pronounce words written in lifeless pages of boring textbooks. Science is living, breathing, exciting, and all around us. It’s in the way our bodies work, the way plants grow, and the way a pen drops to the floor when we release it from our grip. Science is in the stars, the oceans, and the rocks. It is even in roller coasters, cell phones, and video games.
I truly believe that the adults and kids among us who are afraid of or intimidated by science don’t really know what science is. If they would only realize that science is in the things they really enjoy…
Maybe, they were bored to tears by reading dry textbooks and memorizing random facts. Perhaps, they have the impression that science was only for “smart” people and they are not that kind of smart. This really irritates me.
The goal of The Homeschool Scientist is to take the fear out of and put the fun into science education. I try to do that by giving you resources that make science come alive and that make learning science fun and accessible to all.
Science Videos
One way to grab kids attention and to make it interesting is with video. Kids are glued to their screens. Why not take their fascination and put it to good use? The internet loaded with science videos. I have linked to tons of them throughout this blog.
Some science videos are very good. Others are not. This means you have to weed through tons of videos until you find the quality ones. Another challenge is to find videos that fit your lesson or create a new lesson to fit the video. Of course, you could use videos just for fun and to pique an interest. But, what if the kids want to learn more? Lesson plans are handy.
Then, don’t forget the hands-on aspect. I mean, science needs to be experienced. They are not only fun for kids, hands-on science activities help kids learn and retain information better. So, now you need to find an experiment and project to go along with the video. All this takes time.
If you are looking for a total package when it comes to quality science videos with lesson plans and hands-on ideas, I suggest Generation Genius.
Generation Genius Science Video Lessons
Generation Genius is a digital library of 36 entertaining, high quality, science videos put together for the sole purpose of educating and inspiring kids in science. Each video was carefully developed and crafted in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association to be sure that they have the highest impact on students.
The videos feature Dr. Jeff Vinokur and 2 teens, Zoe and Izzy. Dr. Vinokur is an actual research scientist with a PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology from UCLA. Before I lose you all, this guy is not the stereotypical boring lab coat wearing scientist. OK. He wears a lab coat. Scientist kinda have to when dealing with chemicals and stuff. Anyway….Dr. Vinokur is young, energetic, and has a passion for making science fun for kids.
You may have seen him on YouTube, NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s The View, Rachel Ray, Fox News Channel, or Discovery Channel. The guy is smart and entertaining. Think Bill Nye for this generation.
What Makes Generation Genius Great
There are many things that make the Generation Genius science videos really good. There is the high production quality, the entertaining cast, and the perfect 12 minute video length to capture and keep kids’ attentions. There is the sound science and explanations that the target audience (right now 3-5 grades) can easily understand.
While all that makes for videos that I would highly recommend, it is what accompanies the videos that sets Generation Genius apart makes this resource really great. Remember when I talked about there being a lot of good science videos out there, but they don’t have any lesson plans or hands-on activities for kids who want to dig deeper or understand the material a little better?
Each Generation Genius video is paired with the following:
- Lesson plan
- Teachers guide
- Vocabulary
- DIY activity guide
- Class discussion points
Generation Genius goes above and beyond most videos and even online science programs. The lesson plans and teachers guide make it simple for homeschool parents to add these science video lessons to their school day. The vocabulary lists will help kids grow their science language skills. The activity guide will ensure even the busiest of kids will not get bored and the lessons learned in the video will be reinforced. The class discussion points can be used at the dinner table to chat with the family about the video and what they learned from it.
How To Use Generation Genius In Your Homeschool
While it is not a curriculum, Generation Genius is a highly comprehensive supplement to the curriculum you are already using. Each video lesson can stand alone without the need for a textbook to explain concepts. It can, also, be used to spark kids interest in science by using it as a science day activity or morning brain warm up. I’d even use the videos and activity guide as a summer boredom buster.
Generation Genius is available on a subscription basis. You can subscribe for $15/month or save 48% and subscribe for a calendar year for $95. This is good for the whole family. Whether you have one child or ten, the price is the same. More bang for your buck! Right now, you can try a 14 day trial subscription for FREE!!!
Even though these lessons are geared toward 3-5th grades, children of all ages will find the videos entertaining. The lessons and activities could be used as a fun refresher for older students. More grade level science video lessons are coming soon!
Learn more and subscribe today at GenerationGenius.com!
You can, also, follow Generation Genius on Facebook.
