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Physical Science

$86.95
  • Physical Science

Physical Science

$86.95

  • Combining mastery-learning and a unique textbook philosophy, this physical science course helps students break the Cram-Pass-Forget cycle so that they truly learn and retain course material. Topics covered include types of matter, energy, order and design in creation, forces and fields, measurement, motion, sound and light, electricity and magnetism, and the nature of scientific knowledge.

    This physical science text is designed for grades 6-8. Novare Physical Science is beautiful and durable, and organized around the principles guiding all Novare Science & Math texts: Mastery, Integration, and Kingdom perspective.

    Good science instruction should draw students upward into the adult world of scientific inquiry. We start with a proven mastery-learning paradigm: through a carefully crafted program, students continually learn and build on their learning, reencountering key concepts and practicing scientific skills so that they become settled in the student’s mind.

     Mastery learning requires ongoing review even as new material is presented. It also takes culling the material down to a manageable amount that an average student can actually master in the course of a year. This means that Novare texts are serendipitously smaller than the usual 8-10 pound tomes. Better, more enduring learning takes place when the student goes deeper with a moderate amount of material rather than trying to cover too many topics too rapidly or shallowly.

    Each chapter begins with a list of quantifiable learning objectives and important vocabulary. Chapters also include periodic Learning Checks which provide a moment to stop and review. There are 12 “Experimental Investigations” included with the book, not in a separate manual, with instructions and materials listed. The teacher’s version of each experiment is included in the Digital Resources for Physical Science. Some experiments are demonstrated on Youtube videos.

    Wondering if this text will work in your homeschool environment? Click here.

    As integration is the inclusion of material across subjects relevant to the topic in the text—the history behind the science, grade-level mathematics, written and verbal English language skills and measurement skills—Novare Physical Science even includes some discussion of epistemology (what kind of knowledge does science give us and how is that different from biblical revelation).

     References from the humanities are used where appropriate to add greater dimension, to humanize and decompartmentalize science, references to art, music, architecture, technology, and literature.

    Finally, this book is written with a Kingdom Perspective. This text devotes chapters 4 and 7 to discussion about the meaning of the presence of order in the universe, and how this points to a Creator behind it. Furthermore, it discusses the nature of truth, theories, facts, hypotheses, and the nature of scientific knowledge. A Christian worldview and love for Christ comes through in the narration as he leads the reader to wonder and care for God’s great world. This makes for a more elegant and vibrant Christian encounter with science than sprinkling Bible verses and devotional insets around.

    Novare Physical Science is beautiful inside and out. With a mature, developed sense of aesthetics, this book is tidy and attractive. Students love the personal style of the narrative in which the author concisely and accurately explains the concepts with evident wonder and excitement at the marvels of God’s world.

    The experiments for Novare Physical Science call for the use of a series of customer made "widgets" that can be constructed of wood and metal available at any hardware store. Schematics for building the widgets are located in the experiment manual. However, for those who do not have the means or time, we have them available in the Special Parts Kit available at this link.

    If you need to order the charter school version of this text, please visit this page.

  • Hardback

    ISBN: 9780998169910

    Pages: 368

    Dimensions: 6.5in x 9.5in

  • John D. Mays, Author

    John D. Mays

    After receiving his BS in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University, John D. Mays worked for 14 years as an electrical engineering and engineering manager in the areas of electrical, control, and telecommunications systems. Drawn toward the field of education, John acquired an MEd in Secondary Education from the University of Houston in 1989, and subsequently completed 36 hours of graduate study in Physics at Texas A&M. Shortly after joining the faculty at Regents School of Austin in 1999, John began work on an MLA at St. Edward's University, which he completed in 2003. John served as Math-Science Department Chair at Regents School for nine years and as Director of the Laser Optics Lab for 10 years. He founded Novare Science & Math in 2009 and is the author of numerous science texts and teacher resources. He now works full time as Director of Science Curriculum for Classical Academic Press.

  • Our ebooks contain the same full-color illustrations and the same narrative as the textbooks. They also contain all graphs, charts, and exercises from the text. Please note: most of the softcover supplements (experiment manuals, solutions manuals, etc.) are not available in ebook format.

    Buy this ebook directly from our ebook storefront by clicking here!

    Our ebooks are hosted by EdTech Software on their website called ShelfIt.com. Books can be viewed either in a web browser or in an app on your smartphone or tablet. Just download the free app called EdTech Reader and access your books.

    EdTech Reader works with PC, Mac, Android, and iPhone platforms. Chromebook users access books through the web interface.

    EdTech Reader includes a "read-aloud" feature, ability to highlight and take notes, adjust font size, and many more features.

    When used in classroom settings, teachers can add supplemental content: notes, quizzes, video links. Teachers can manage individual student content, customizing supplemental content for the class or on a per-student basis. 5-year licenses can be reissued to new students each year.

    Choose your license:

    How does it work?

    1. Go to https://novarescienceandmath.shelfit.com and purchase the book. You can read the book in your browser. That's it!
    2. If you wish, download and install the "EdTech Reader" app from your favorite app store.