CrossWired Science ~ REVIEW

For the last few weeks, Kaden and I have been reviewing a new online science program called CrossWired Science and their very first two projects: Sound, and Fluid Dynamics.  This curriculum is geared for all ages and offers an eclectic learning style which fits us to a T.  It can be used as a stand alone program or supplement along with your current science program.  I simply love the whole "crosswiredness" with this program.  Because there is so much packed into these topics that touch on many different subject areas to insure a concrete understanding of the topic being taught.  It's perfect no matter what your learning style is.  And the Christian worldview presents the world so beautifully as we learn the power behind God's creation.



Like I said, right now they are offering Sound, and Fluid Dynamics, but there are many more topics to come in the future as they continue to work on and build this amazing curriculum.

When we started we had the option of a First Timer or Second Timer curriculum path.  If it is the first time to use the curriculum, you should follow the First Timer path and we did.  But, if it's your second time or if your kiddo is older or familiar with these areas in science, then I would pick the Second Timer path.  You do have access to both paths and we have peeked over there to see some of the differences.  The videos are basically the same, but the questions for the videos, Digging Deeper and the Gold Digs are different, which is perfect for the older or seasoned student.


Even though I was with Kaden for most of the time he worked through the program, he could totally do this independently.  And not once did he ever say he was bored or uninterested.  If anything after a session he would have more questions and we would jump down different rabbit holes to learn and read more even after school was done.  I noticed this way of learning sparked his desire to know more and to seek out answers.  We did our fair share of skipping around while doing the lessons, some we plan to come back to and a few we probably wont and that's perfectly fine.  It's almost like a buffet of knowledge, take what you need and want. :) 
The lessons are easy to follow with simple directions and info to successfully finish them.  In each topic you will find videos, experiments, field trips, books, research, devotionals and so much more to make this a complete science experience.  You can check out this Sample Unit online.

After Kaden watched several videos we would check out the experiments, some we could watch like the disections and some we could do like making wind catchers, airplanes or eD models.  Afterwards no matter where we ended up I had Kaden write up a few short sentences or paragraphs to explain what we learned or researched.  The cool thing is that if we wanted to we could have submitted it online simply by just typing it in the boxes for each section.  But, with Kaden's special needs most days it was oral or just a few sentences or a drawing in his notebook.


Another big plus for us is that the questions for the videos were all true and false or multiple choice answers and taken straight from the video.  When your child has Autism and is literal thinking black and white answers are such a blessing.  :)  You special needs parents out there totally understand me...I know. 

One last thing I want to mention about is the devotional section.  It's not a normal occurrence to see science and God in the same program and I love that this isn't the case with CrossWired.  They offer a section with devotionals with scriptures and a little lesson learned from the specific writer.  It's an amazing way to tie in what your child has learned about with scripture. At the end, the student is asked to write how they relate to what they just read.  This was a perfect opportunity for Kaden and I to break out our Bibles, read and reflect together.  Honestly could this program be any better?

So, what did we think?  I bet you can already guess that we loved it!  I am such an eclectic homeschooling Mom!  I like different things, to shake up the boring week with fun and educational videos or activities.  Who doesn't want to tour an aquarium or cave?  Or see the 3 lobed liver in a shark.  Kaden also likes that most of the work is online.  We will definitely be continuing this program and I look forward to seeing all the different topics in the future.  Hopefully I will be sharing that too when it comes out.  If you are  someone who wants a curriculum where you have all the extras put together for you, this is for you.  You have multiple kiddos that you want them to learn together, this is for you.  If you want your kiddo to have independence to explore within a science topic, this is for you.  I think no matter what your teaching or learning style is this program could find a spot in your homeschool to fill.

But, don't just take my word for it though, check out this General Info Page and check out what other Reviewers said about CrossWired below!