For our science the past few months we have chosen to read lots of books about whatever the kids are interested in, listen to science podcasts, and do nature studies and nature walks. To supplement those things, we have also been using a one year subscription to Rainforest Journey by EdTechLens; we have used the Kindergarten level for one student.
This came along at just the right time, because Lexie has been obsessed with learning about volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. So of course it was easy to blend the topic of rainforest right into that.
About Rainforest Journey
In this Journey, you will have 34 lessons covering life sciences for grades K-5. Each lesson has an End of Lesson Review which is printable. We did a few printed reviews, and a few we just did orally. For young children like mine, it is easy to do these orally. There are also hands-on activities that can be done in home, or outside. One thing that I think sets this program apart, are the included videos, interviews, and beautiful interactive images used in the lessons. There are even enrichment activities, of which we did a few, that includes incredible educational illustrations of how things work (think graphic organizers on steroids).
How We Used Rainforest Journey & What We Think
We used Rainforest Journey as a supplement to what we have been reading about and studying in science. After visiting Hawaii last year, both my 5 year old and 3 year old have been obsessed with volcanoes, rocks, earthquakes, and all things science. We easily added in the topic of rainforests to include a more life science study, if that makes sense. We have done a lot of earth science, but now we have learned how that earth science pretty much has its own life. The study of the different kinds of rainforests, the animals you find in each layer, emphasizing how life requires light and water, especially in the rainforest, etc. has enriched our homeschool science so much!
Because it is computer based, I allowed Lexie to interact on the computer for the first time. You can also very easily use it on an ipad, which we just haven’t done but probably will for future lessons. She wanted to “learn to click on the computer” so I let her mess with it a little, but mostly I helped navigate the lessons. She did enjoy clicking on the button that reads the text to you. Many of the enrichment features included a question that was perfect for opening a deeper discussion, or prompting the creation of a story.
The assessments at the end of each unit can be either printed and completed independently, or completed online with immediate results. I found these to be very simple, straight forward quizzes/assessments that were perfect for a kindergarten student.
As we continue through Rainforest Journey I plan to print the visual aids, along with the review sheets we complete (whether she dictates and I write, or she writes on them), and make a rainforest notebook for both her and little brother to look at when we are done. It will be a great item to add to their portfolio for the year as well.
This is a beautiful, well organized and easy to navigate online program to supplement homeschool science!
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