The program used for this typing test is at www.speedtypingonline.com/typing-test. For more information, please visit TYPING filed under MY REFERENCE DESK.
The terminology used in this typing test came from Exploring Creation with Astronomy. For information about the book and links I gathered for astronomy, scroll past the typing test.
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TYPING TEST IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. CHECK BACK LATER.
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We studied astronomy in the 2011-12 school year. I plan to post the terminology for review.
Exploring Creation with Astronomy
Lesson 1: What is Astronomy?
The earth, planets, sun, stars, and everything in space created by God
The study of the universe; “aster” meaning “star” and “onomy” meaning “knowledge of”
is called astronomy.
A famous monument in England is called Stonehenge.
Patterns of stars in the sky is called a constellation.
Special gifts created by God given to animals such as the ability of birds to use the
constellations to know when to migrate instinct.
The force that holds the earth in its orbit around the sun is called its orbit.
The pull that planets have on each other is called its gravitational pull.
A man who believed in 1510 that the earth revolved around the sun rather than the sun
revolving around the earth was called Copernicus.
An astronomer who believed Copernicus was correct and who studied the universe using
telescope was called Gallileo
The organization that send Americans into space is called NASA.
A telescope floating in space that sends pictures back to earth is called Hubble.
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ASTRONOMY
My son and I are almost finished with Young Explorer Series: Exploring Creation with Astronomy by Jeannie K. Fulbright. It is published by Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. We appreciate the book’s friendly, engaging conversational tone. It makes it a fun read that helps us memorize the facts.
This Astronomy course can be completed in 28-30 weeks, but we supplemented heavily with weather studies and documentaries about astronauts and space exploration. We made it into a 52 week study! We have enjoyed studying astronomy and weather so much we are starting to dread arriving at the last page.
Apologia’s science curriculum is very popular for ease-of-use. The experiments use inexpensive, easy-to-find items. The author graciously answers questions about her books personally. Learn more at:
- http://www.JeannieFulbright.com and http://www.JeanniesJournal.com – about the author.
- https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1 – about the Apologia’s Young Explorer Series
- http://www.apologiaonline.com/bookextras – The book includes additional resources. The password to this section is in the introduction.
I did not buy other resources because this book plus online and library resources were plentiful. The book does not require a telescope, but we got one anyway, and we attended numerous star gazing parties. I do plan to buy a star gazing guide book once I find a favorite.
I only found secular resources (those that do not support the Biblical world view) at the library. If you are concerned about confusing your child, I recommend that you also study evolution theory with your child. There are plenty of resources in my science links to help you with that. Secular astronomy videos and documentaries have a tendency to go on and on about the Big Bang theory and evolution.
Additional Resources
This Yahoo group is jam packed with notes and tips from those that have studied the courses. It also has help for the labs, ready-made tests and hand-out extras. The author and others graciously answer questions here in this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Apologia_Science.
There are more astronomy resources at the library than I had time to explore. Here are a few excellent resources:
- From the Earth to the Moon, a documentary series hosted by Tom Hanks – This was our favorite because it dramatized the great ordeal and sacrifice it took for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and others to leave and return to Earth.
- National Geographic has awe inspiring computer generated images (CGI) combined with real photographs of deep space.
- Design in Astronomy with Dr. Danny Faulkner – read more about this book at http://www.theastronomers.org/view/655/origins-design-in-astronomy-with-dr-danny-faulkner.
I really enjoyed the documentaries that interviewed real people. My son preferred the dramatized versions of these people along with great computer-generated images.
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I would teach how science works as much as I would teach what science knows.
I would assert (given that essentially, everyone will learn to read) that
science literacy is the most important kind of literacy they can take into the 21st century. I would undervalue grades based on knowing things and find ways to reward curiosity. In the end, it’s the people who are curious who change the world.
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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A Christian should not be surprised by disparaging remarks about science taught from a Biblical world view. Your job is to equip your student for the debate. Here are a few arguments and responses:
- http://www.benandme.com/2010/03/its-not-bad-enough-to-take-god-out-of.html – March 2010 –
- http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/03/in-beginning.html – for comic relief – March 2012 –
- http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/08/bill-nye-the-science-guy-hits-evolution-deniers – August 27, 2012 – Bill Nye ‘The Science Guy’ Hits Evolution Deniers – When a public figure bashes us, it doesn’t mean he knows what he is talking about. In this case, Bill Nye, has got an agenda that has nothing to do with science.
- My LINKS FOR SCIENCE – I enjoy Bill’s educational videos and watch them regularly, and I agree with Bill in that we should teach our children about evolution. We have the same evidence, but are coming to a very different conclusion. I hope you are taking the time to explain Evolution Theory versus Creation, otherwise you are leaving your child unequipped for this important discussion.
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If you haven’t met opposition from Satan recently, you’re probably going his way.
C.S. Lewis
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MISCELLANEOUS LINKS
Check back. I will continue to add videos and articles we found interesting:
- http://phys.org/news/2013-04-virgin-galactic-spaceship-powered-flight.html
- http://www.icr.org/article/why-does-nearly-every-culture-have-tradition-globa – Why Does Nearly Every Culture Have a Tradition of a Global Flood? by John D. Morris, Ph.D. – The True Story of Noah’s Ark (with audio CD and pull-out spread)
- http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/08/27/nasa-pioneering-astronauts-where-are-now/#ixzz2AYGhoRPE – August 27, 2012 – NASA’s pioneering astronauts: where are they now?
- http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/schedule/index.html –
- http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors
- http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/05/29/20120529venus-transit-astronomical-rare-event.html – Edmund Haley Mathed out the Distance between the Planets
- http://transitofvenus.nl/wp/getting-involved/measure-the-suns-distance – Measure the Sun’s distance
- http://www.space.com/15986-venus-transit-photography-skywatching-tips.html – How to Photograph the Rare Transit of Venus Safely
- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/06/transit-of-venus-in-la-solar-glasses-for-sale-at-griffith-observatory.html – Transit of Venus: Solar glasses are a hot commodity [3 June 2012]
- http://journeytothestars.wordpress.com/category/astronomical-communities – Astronomical Communities – Transit of Venus Map in Many Languages
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/11/china-first-woman-space?CMP=twt_gu -11 June 2012 – astronomy – China to send its first woman into space
- http://www.spaceweather.com – Space Weather
- http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/28517 – 2012-10-17 – “Fresh examinations of lunar rocks gathered by Apollo mission astronauts have yielded new insights about the moon’s chemical makeup as well as clues about the giant impacts that may have shaped the early beginnings of Earth and the moon. Geochemist James Day of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and colleagues Randal Paniello and Frédéric Moynier at Washington University in St. Louis used advanced technological instrumentation to probe the chemical signatures of moon rocks”
- http://www.space.com/16018-venus-transit-2012-contact-sun-video.html – videos
