CWS Core 2 Insulation Reading - CrossWired Science

1. Choose a Reading Plan and Download a Schedule

Quick Start Instructions

If you have just a little time now, skip the reading below. Go to Plan 0-Quik Set-up, which is the first plan listed in the Reading Plans. In this plan you can purchase one L2, L3 book for $15 that will last you the whole year.
Order your book, print your plan and you’re done.

CWS In-built Reading Program

CWS has valuable in-built reading in “Research and Reinforcement” and in “Digging Deeper” lessons. Reading can also be added in “Readings for Field Trips” and on “U-Choose” lessons. However, we also want to add a day or two per Unit in purposeful reading of lifetime books and materials. This can be books, magazines or website research.

The idea here is to do something regularly–to make it into a habit. There is blessing in sitting in a quiet sun-shiny place with some hot chocolate or lemonade and cozying up to a book. There is also great value in building a “Common Heritage” in reading together as a family after dinner or when camping or on the road.

Oral Reports at Home For Homeschool and School

It can be very enriching to have the kids give oral reports in the “safety” of the home, both for school children and homeschool children. These can be used to turn readings into opportunities to organize and present material in creative ways.

Doing a 2-5 minute presentation every week for years can tremendously boost a child’s skills in communication. And the time can be informative and lots of fun for the whole family to enjoy. So think about turning some reading in each Unit into a weekly 2-5 minute oral presentation–a mini-Toastmasters–which we highly recommend.

Note: Character Sketches is particularly good for presentations. Realize, too, that there are other options with CWS for oral presentations to the family or to classes. Students can also share about Video Links, Digging Deepers or CWS Core Material.

We have much more to say on the value and methodology of implementing the reading of lifetime books which can be read and reread and even read to one’s children. These thoughts are in the “CWS Ed Theory” pages.

For L-1 Readers

(about k-3 grade)

L-1 stands for Level 1. Level 1 covers grades K-3, and sometimes also includes three and four-year olds. Some of the materials can be additionally be used with great success with older children as well.

We suggest many fine “Big Books” A good example is Gary Parker’s “Dry Bones“. These are generally well illustrated books that can be read a number of times in the early years. Some are great even up through 4th grade and beyond.

The idea here is to chose books that are a delight to read to the children, and interesting to Dad and Mom too. Hopefully your choices will be so good that when your student becomes a grandma or grandpa, the kids will be knocking at their door to use the books that you used with them .

Schools can implement this also with parents to the benefit of both parents and children.

Suggestions are listed below.

For L2-L3 Readers

(L2 is about 4-8th grade) (L3 is about upper-Junior High through High School)

There are many books that can be used here–and other materials as well. Try to spend a little money and buy materials that are delightful to you, your child and your family and devoting 45-60 minutes per week for reading. Some of the reading is wonderful if it is done aloud with the whole family.

There are several suggestions that we have found are often good fits for families. Sources for these are in the lists below. Many are broken into about 30 readings which can be read once per week for 45 minutes.

The Plans and schedules can be accessed below and can be printed to be put into your Science Notebook .

PLAN 0. QUIK SET-UP

Good and Easy

Wait on the reading of all the possible plans which is found below. Just buy Larry Richard’s book, It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God’s Awesome Creation, is an easy read that shows the wonders of God’s Creation.

You will do fine using this book for year 1. Later, when you have more time, you can look over suggestions we give and further enrich your “lifetime books” efforts.

Along this line, after you get settled into the CWS program, we’d encourage you to order at least one of the Benge books from the BIOGRAPHY PLAN below and begin to use it for a read-aloud for the entire family. George Washington Carver was a strong Christian; you might enjoy beginning with his story. Ben Carson, the Christian brain surgeon, and Alan Shepherd, the astronaut, might be other great choices for you.

Description: L2-L3

Kids are exposed daily to the theory of evolution by the media and public schools. It’s not safe to assume that your kids will reject that theory. It’s up to us as parents, Christian teachers and Christian leaders to make sure our children know the truth about the creation of the world. With thousands of evidences to prove He created and sustains the universe, It Couldn’t Just Happen will fascinate kids with fun activities and examples of God’s marvelous works. 256 pgs.

NOTE: Made in Heaven

The book in Plan 7, Made in Heaven, is also good for an entire year. Made in Heaven is more difficult than this book. It’s excellent for advanced students.

SOURCES

It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God’s Awesome Creation.

Amazon new $13… used $6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400317142/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_3FL.AbQPF1B2X

CBD $10 https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=+It+Couldn’t+Just+Happen%3A+Knowing+the+Truth+about+God’s+Awesome+Creation.&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1&search=

PLAN 1. Level 1 Books

Description: L1

Level one books can be surprisingly expensive. A colorful book can cost $10-$20.

Kids won’t remember a whole lot of science from the kids’ books they read and that their parents read to them unless they are read many times. For this reason, we suggest buying good quality books second-hand. Second-hand keeps the price down; good quality makes the reading time more effective and it makes it more enjoyable for you in the times you read with your children.

BTW; If you regularly read a stack of L1 books to your children, we suggest you vary the books from Science to History to fun. We also suggest that you get to know the good books to buy and buy them at used curriculum sales. Only using library reading can be less than the best because of the lack of godly material and because the material is difficult to read multiple times.

Training Little Ones

It’s Well Worth The Struggle!

With the little ones, one thing that is nice to begin, even at an age less than four, is to give them a stack of books and have them sit in one place and “read “ the books (picture “reading”). Looking at enriching books without continual coaxing is a good exercise for building stamina and concentration.

As to the amount of time, many five-year olds can be trained to sit and read with a stack beside him or her for 45 minutes. This gives peace for mom and dad and is great training for the future.

Jeannie Fulbright

These L2 books can be read aloud to L1 readers. They cover Junior High Science. If you become familiar with books like these when your children are in elementary school, you will be more confident as you branch out and creatively tackle Junior High and High School Science.

1. Chemistry and Physics

2. Flying Creatures

3. Human aAnatomy and Physiology

Secular $.01-$1 on Amazon used

Let’s Read And Find Out Science Series

Secular L-1, L-2 $.01 on Amazon used

Please send us titles you discover. We’d love to help other families find more great resources.

PLAN 2. Benge Biographies

Description: L1-L3

These are excellent science biographies for kids of all ages and are wonderful read-clouds for the whole family. All are written by Janet and Geoff Benge except Michael Faraday, by Charles Ludwig. Depending on your student’s reading level and interest, one book can be read a month or one every two months. When your child reads one per month, eight will be read over the school year. When one is read every two months, four will be read over the school year. If money is a problem, we suggest teaming with another family or buying them for a homeschool co-op. Schools can buy two sets for a classroom and switch every month.

These are great for a Lifebooks resource!

Science Titles:

Thomas Edison
George Washington Carver
AlanShephard
Michael Faraday By Charles Ludwig
Ben Carson
Orville Wright
Benjamin Franklin
Paul Brand
A Little about Each

Book Descriptions

Faraday

Charles Ludwig retells Michael Faraday’s remarkable life story. Eloquently written, students of Michael Faraday will be riveted to this biography. Rated by Albert Einstein as one of the all-time greats of science, Faraday was a strong Christian responsible for inventing the electric motor, generator and transformer, effectively ushering in the age of electricity. In this book, the author shows us both Faraday the scientist, as well as Faraday the devout Christian. Not many people are aware of the Faraday’s deep Christian convictions and his determination to live by the Sermon on the Mount.

Edison

With only three months of formal education, Thomas Edison grew up to be one of the most successful inventors of all time. Applying scientific principles to practical use, he made scores of inventions and held over thirteen hundred patents, from improvements on the telegraph and phonograph to the development of the incandescent lamp and a whole system for distributing electricity.

Edison’s rise from humble beginnings and his unceasing struggle to overcome obstacles illustrate the spirit of America. His genius and investigative methods shaped the future and continue to influence new generations.

Alan Shephard

Alan Shepard’s boyhood fascination with flight led him from constructing model airplanes in his grandfather’s basement to attaining national hero status in the race to space. Rooted in hard work and education, this pioneer’s dreams of flight came true as he became not only the first American launched into space but, later, one of the privileged few to walk on the moon.

When he wasn’t soaring above the clouds, astronaut Alan Shepard used his expertise to benefit others, raising money to fuel the dreams of science students and guiding NASA missions. The achievements of this high flyer — America’s “Lindbergh of Space” — inspire all who dare to live their dreams. (1923-1998).

Ben Carson

As a child growing up in Detroit, Ben Carson had a dream of becoming a physician, a dream that rose out of struggles with poverty, racism, and poor grades. As Ben persevered and strove for academic excellence, his life became one of compassion and service.

Today, Benjamin Carson, MD, is known as the American neurosurgeon with gifted hands. The first surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head, he directed pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital for over a quarter of a century. His life continues to be a Christian model of what it means to care deeply, serve brilliantly, and lead courageously. (1951-)

Carver

Once a kidnapped slave baby, George Washington Carver found freedom in learning everything he could about the world around him. Overcoming poverty and racism, George became a Christian and a brilliant scientist and a gifted professor who dedicated his expertise to helping black farmers escape the devastating grip of poverty. (1864?-1943)

The Wright Brothers

When Orville Wright (1871-1948) and his brother Wilbur set out to solve the problem of flight, they recognized that success would come with careful observation, perseverance, and ingenuity. From experiments in their Dayton, Ohio, bicycle shop to test flights over the beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the amateur aviation enthusiasts risked their lives and worked tirelessly to solve the problems that had stumped the world’s best scientists.

Together the Wright brothers designed and constructed a power-driven airplane and, in it, made the world’s first controlled, sustained flights. As a result, the skies were opened and the era of aviation began.

Franklin

Benjamin Franklin’s life never lacked excitement and intrigue. As a printer, writer, scientist, inventor, and American statesman, this spirited Philadelphia resident continually sought to improve himself and the world he lived in.

A key founding father, Franklin was the only man to sign all five of the most important documents upon which the United States was built. He also served the colonies and young nation in England and France, where he was greatly admired and regarded as a genius. Today Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom and influence still reverberate through literature, science, politics, and society.

Brand

The son of missionary parents, Paul Brand, did not plan on becoming a doctor: After training as a builder, he was called by God into medicine and spent a lifetime treating leprosy and restoring hope to thousands of sufferers.

Dr. Paul Brand became the first surgeon in the world to use reconstructive surgery to correct the deformities of leprosy in the hands and feet. He strove to eliminate the stigma of the disease and rebuild the lives of those destroyed by it. A humble, brilliant servant, he influenced faith and medical communities around the world, reminding us that all people are created in the image of God. (1914-2003)

Sources

Amazon:

Benge Biographies: new or used:

www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1883002788/ref=sr_1_sc_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1526400421&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=George+Washington+Carver+++Janet+benje

Michael Faraday by Charles Ludwig

www.amazon.com/Michael-Faraday-Charles-Ludwig-Jr/dp/0836134796/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526469393&sr=8-1&keywords=Michael+Faraday+By+Charles+Ludwig

YWAM

Benge Biographies: new

https://www.ywampublishing.com/c-72-heroes-of-history.aspx?pagenum=2

CBD

https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=benge+biography&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1

PLAN 3. Creation Magazines

Description: L2, L3

These are generally for the very serious science student, however, there are also appropriate articles for L2 students. These magazines are excellent and keep one up to date with many of the newest discoveries supporting Scientific Creationism.

A helpful approach for students and families is to study the different ongoing article writers to learn which ones are their favorites. Some writers write more for a general audience and others write in-depth for science enthusiasts. Once favorite authors are known, one can access data bases on the ministry websites for thousands of articles–many from their favorite writers.

Creation Magazine

Creation Magazine is centered only on science. It has no ads and is very succinct. It’s a favorite here at CWS. Very much a favorite! The ministry also has a daily article they can send to your inbox.

Answers Magazine

Answers is a fine magazine put out by Answers in Genesis. It has excellent science articles and also many on apologetics themes. The ministry also has a very informative weekly webcast and many other resources. This is also one of our favorite resources!

ICR Newsletter

Institute in Creation Research has a free mini-magazine that comes out once a month that always has great articles. Brian Thomas is a particularly understandable and informative writer for ICR. We love this min-magazine newsletter!

Sources

Creation Magazine

https://creation.com/magazines

Answers Magazine

https://answersingenesis.org

ICR Newsletter Mini-magazine

http://www.icr.org/homepage/

PLAN 4. Character Sketches

Description: L2, L3

There are three of these great books. A different one could be used each year for three years. These are among the best books we have ever found dealing with animals and godly character.

Because there are 28 chapters in each book and these are illustrated so beautifully, these are ideal for a weekly animal study and a weekly oral presentation.

Sources

Amazon new or used

Used can cost as little as $28. New is about $50.

IBLP new

https://store.iblp.org/character-sketches-three-volume-set.html

PLAN 5. Mix-n-Match Many Things

Description: L1-L3

Mix-n-Match is a little of loads of different kinds of books. It’s basically a reading free-for-all. When first taking time to explore the vast fields in science, many people enjoy doing this . Going for a wide variety of science books can be lots of fun and it can give a better feel for what is interesting and how to find it. If you’d like to try a little of this and a little of that, hit the used curriculum sales. Then spend the next year pouring over your treasures!

There is a blessing in grabbing up deals that look fun and interesting. They are cheap, for one, and it’s fun to be a collector. One caution we’d throw out, though, is be careful of trivia. Some books cater to mountains of “factoids” and illustrate them wonderfully, but the long term benefit is small because the “meat” really isn’t there. There can be weak disjointed content that one can spend hundreds of hours on and come away with almost nothing remembered in a few years.

We’d encourage you to pray about your choices and seek the Lord for discernment.

We have listed a few of these “General” books below. There are hundreds more, but we listed these three for an illustration for our next reading group.

If you opt for this “Plan” for this year, we highly suggest that you read the next plan also. It brings balance.

A Little on Some

Electrifying Nervous System

Developed by a homeschooling pediatrician, this book focuses on the amazing design and functionality of the human body’s nervous system.Areas covered include:

The main areas and structures of the brain and what important role each plays in making your body work
Incredible examples of God’s creativity in both the design and precision of human anatomy showing we are are wonderfully made
Important historical discoveries and modern medical techniques used for diagnosis and repair of the brain.
Fascinating discoveries about why you sleep, the function of the central nervous system, what foods can superpower the brain functions, and much more in this amazing exploration of the brain and how it controls the body.

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs were amazing creatures. From the time the first dinosaur bones were unearthed, the story of these unusual animals has captivated both the young and old. We continue to learn more about them from the fossil record, but there are still many questions:

How do dinosaurs fit with the Bible?
Did they live at the same time as humans?
Were there dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark?
How did they go extinct?

Guide to Dinosaurs is a fascinating and lavishly illustrated volume that takes a careful look at the evidence and how it fits with the historic accounts given in Scripture.

The New Astronomy Book Faulkner

The universe is an amazing declaration of the glory and power of God! Beautiful and breathtaking in its scale, the vast expanse of the universe is one that we struggle to study, understand, or even comprehend in terms of its purpose and size. The New Astronomy Book takes an incredible look at the mysteries and marvels of space.

Discover the best ways to observe the heavens, along with up-to-date astronomical data and concepts
Learn about the dynamics of planets, stars, galaxies, and models for the cosmology of the universe
Learn about fascinating discoveries about planets, moons, and comets within our solar system.

Sources

AMAZON OR THE PUBLISHER ARE GOOD SOURCES. Buy from the publisher and more money goes to the ministry.

Electrifying Nervous System

https://www.masterbooks.com/the-electrifying-nervous-system-hardback-single

Guide to Dinosaurs

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Dinosaurs-INSTITUTE-CREATION-RESEARCH/dp/0736966676

The New Astronomy Book

https://www.amazon.com/New-Astronomy-Book-Wonders-Creation/dp/0890518343/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526471723&sr=1-4&keywords=ASTRONOMY+CREATION

CBD

https://www.christianbook.com

PLAN 6. Science “Passions”

Description: L1-L3

This is where the apex of science learning takes place. This is where a child or parents and children together get a passion for certain aspects of science. It might be a general branch like Astronomy, Geology, Zoology or Ethology. It could be Bio-mimicry, Genetics, Engineering, Marine life or Creation Science. There are many ways to go here, and many families develop many passions. This is incredibly excellent.

In this Reading Plan, you do what anyone does who loves a subject. You invest in fantastic resources– Books, and also DVD’s and CD’s. You research like crazy and visit places where those in the know have stored treasures. You attend seminars and talk to scientists in your “passion field.”

Concentrations in area of “Science Passions” involve using many sources to study the same thing in depth. This is a great way to do your reading.

For example, in the Mix-n-Match Plan above we listed several different books from a wide spectrum of science. Each book could be part of a collection you gather.

For example, “Electrifying Nervous System” could be for a Human Physiology Collection.

“Dinosaurs” could be for a Dinosaur–Creation Science Collection.

“The New Astronomy Book” could be for collection on Space and Rocketry.

An example of a “Passion Collection” might be one on geology. One such collection was made by a CWS family. The collection includes several dozen Creation magazines with material on Geology, books on Mt.Saint Helens, the Food and the Ark, the Grand Canyon from a Christian young-earth perspective, Fossils and so much more. The library is a treasure to the family involved. It’s also supplemented by videos from Steve Austin, Andrew Snelling, Tas Walker, Michael Old, ICR, AIG, and Awesome science. No one in the family knew much about geology when they began the journey…now they are power-houses.

There is benefit and blessing in singling out “loves and pursuing them.

We strongly suggest that all Mix-n-Match Science Readers also develop some “passions” and study these in depth.

Sources

All over the place!

PLAN 7. Made in Heaven Book

Description: L3

This little 80-page book can be used for an entire year if additional research and a detailed oral report is required. It is for the serious science student, especially ones interested in the Creation evidence and for those considering a career in science. This is shorter and more difficult than the book in Plan 0 above, It Couldn’t Just Happen. It is written by an Aerospace engineer with Ray Comfort. It’s a gem!

Engineers and inventors have long examined God’s creation to understand and copy complex, proven mechanics of design in the science known as biomimicry. Much of this inspiration is increasingly drawn from amazing aspects of nature, including insects to plants to man in search of wisdom and insight. We are surrounded daily by scientific advancements that have become everyday items, simply because man is copying from God’s incredible creation. Dozens of examples are given in stunning detail including:

How the glow of a cat’s eyes innovates road reflectors
The naturally sticky inspirations for Velcro and barbed wire
The fly’s ear, geckos foot and moth’s eye are bringing about new technologies.

See this link for a video description.

http://store.livingwaters.com/books/made-in-heaven.html

Sources

Amazon $11new/ $3 used

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Heaven-Ray-Comfort/dp/0890516693

Living Waters; Ray Comfort new

https://www.livingwaters.com

CBD

https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=made+in+Heaven&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1

Plan 8

PLAN 9. Create Your Own

Description: L1-L3

The sky’s the limit here. You come up with your own Reading Plan.

PLAN 10. Great Curriculums

Description: L1-L3

There are many fine curriculums you can either use as your base or use as a supplement. This book, “The World of Plants” is from the AIG curriculum.

2. Read your material for 45-60 minutes.

Take 45-60 minutes to read what you have selected. If it takes longer, put in the time necessary.