Quark Chronicles is our literature-based science spine. Children learn the basics of the various branches of science in the context of an exciting adventure story. The first three booksBotany, Zoology, and Anatomyare currently available with more coming soon!
Tom, Sally, and the twinsJoe and Mikehave some serious problems. After being kidnapped by space pirates, the children managed to escape with the help of a living spaceship that they nicknamed Auntie. But during their escape, they traveled through a wormhole and now have no idea where they are. They're working to find their way back to planet Earth, having adventures along the way.
Botany:When one of the twins develops a nutritional deficiency, the children realize that they have to get a garden up and going in space to survive.
If you like the idea of learning science from a fictional story, Quark Chronicles might be a fit for you. Like Life of Fred for math, Quark Chronicles tells a fictional story that will engage students, then concepts are taught within the story. Follow Tom, Sally, Joe, and Mike as they trek their way through the universe on spaceship "Auntie." They've gone through a wormhole and need to find their way back home, with many adventures along the way. Each book has 18 stories and is intended to take one semester. Botany, Zoology, and Anatomy are currently available in the series, with five more to be released. The authors maintain a neutral perspective, neither promoting creation nor evolution, sticking to the facts of science. There are no tests or quizzes, so the learning comes from the reading itself. This structure is more of a Charlotte Mason approach to learning.
The publisher offers notebooking pages for those who want something that will help with assessment or just written work. PDF notebooking pages (available through the publisher at barefootmeandering.com) offers suggestions for extra reading, as well as copywork and vocabulary drill. It also includes pages for narrations and experiment write-ups. ~ Donna
