By fourth grade, most schools' science curriculums have become quite complex. Between lectures, reports, projects, and experiments, nine- and ten-year-old students are bombarded by subject material from all angles. Naturally, your child will find some units and some methods of study much more intriguing than others. And, even though much of the responsibility for a subject's appeal lies in the teacher's approach, your child's own prior knowledge will have a lot to do with her interest in and commitment to the program offered at her school. Here are some ideas to help improve your fourth grader's performance in science.
TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE SCIENCE SKILLS
■ Angela Wilkes' My First Nature Book, published by McKay (St. Croix, VA, 1990), describes fun and easy science projects from plaster casting to flower pressing.
■ Encourage your child's interest in astronomy with a backyard telescope and trips to a local planetarium.
■ Invest in a children's science kit for at-home experiments.
■ Encourage your child to borrow children's science magazines, like Ranger Rick or National Geographic World , from the library. If you read aloud to your child, substitute a magazine for your usual book once or twice a week. Or, your child can read the magazines on her own.
■ Seek out nearby places for outings that are fun and educational. A hands-on museum, a greenhouse, a nature preserve, a farm, and a zoo nursery are just a few ideas.