When it comes to curriculum, we know that there are LOTS of choices. You can go with a complete “box” curriculum or pick and choose. For me personally I know that it is easier to pick Language Arts and Math, because they are subjects I like and know. But science curriculum? That is a different ball game altogether. I never really enjoyed science (though I can’t really think why) and dropped it as soon as I could in high school (biology, chemistry, and physics didn’t appeal to me).
Once I entered teacher training and had to start writing some science units to teach while I prac, I saw the beauty in the subject and actually enjoyed teaching it. Maybe it was the fact that I could make it as hands-on and interactive as possible (something I loved to do in the classroom).
Here are some curricula that I have researched, used or heard about from friends who use them, getting their thoughts.
GENERATION GENIUS
https://www.generationgenius.com/
Generation Genius focuses on different science topics to cover grades K-8 and presents them in an easy-to-understand and very engaging way. It is great for all learning styles. The videos are a lot of fun and hold the interest of children.
The videos also have lesson plans that contain learning objectives, discussion questions, vocab, activity guides, lesson plans and teacher guides. It is very well laid out and easy to use. It meets core standards (though you would want to compare it with your own State’s standards)
It is not a complete curriculum, but if you tend to be more eclectic in homeschooling or prefer to learn in a unit study/interest led way, then these resources are great and can definitely lead to further research and discussion.
Cost: Under $100 for homeschool for the year
They also have monthly science kits that have fun hands-on experiments. This is in addition to the videos and lessons.
Generation Genius is a secular curriculum.
MYSTERY SCIENCE
https://www.mysteryscience.com
For homeschooling accounts, when it comes to Mystery Science’s full lessons, these units are divided across a number of age ranges, rather than a specific grade or age.
- Highly affordable science curriculum
- Fun and engaging lessons
- Lots of hands-on activities and experiments
- Easy to use, open and go program
- Easy to teach, open and go curriculum
- Rigorous science learning
- Very flexible
- Learning is student-centric
- Fun, low-pressure mini science lessons available
- Great for audio-visual learners and those who enjoy discussion and hands-on learning.
The activities in Mystery Science can be a lot of fun, dynamic and engaging for both parents and students to work through. The videos serve to introduce the hands-on activity for the lesson, but also spend time linking what the student is doing to the lesson material itself,
Mystery Science lessons are very easy to use and pretty much open and go. It does not have a tracking and grading option, which some parents like and/or prefer to have. Mystery Science can be used as a complete curriculum on its own, as a spine or as a supplement to another homeschool science program.
Cost: $109 a year for homeschool membership and includes access to all the materials on the website
Mystery Science is a secular curriculum.
SCIENCE UNLOCKED
https://www.homesciencetools.com/science-unlocked/
Science Unlocked is a wonderful hands-on science curriculum that comes in kits, providing all you need for learning fun. This curriculum is brought to you by Home Science Tools.
Science Unlocked is broken up into three age groups, Wonder – kindergarten to 6th, Accelerate – grades 3-7, and Launch – grades 8-12. This enables you to not worry about grades but can follow interests within the units written.
The kit will come with everything you need, along with thorough workbooks and well explained steps that help your child to practice the scientific method, see how things work and why, and get hands-on experiences.
These kits are easy to teach and you can pick it up and go with it. The teacher’s guide will even give you how long an activity will take so you can plan when to do it, or break it up. They can also be used in family-style learning.
The science in these kits aligns with Next Generation Science Standards or state standards.
Cost: $220 – 250 a bundle for grades K-8, $400+ for highschool subjects (bio, chem, physics, earth and space)
This is another secular curriculum.
STRONG CURRICULUM FROM COMPLETE CURRICULUM KITS
There are many other curricula out there that belong to a complete or box curriculum. But that doesn’t mean you can’t choose to do only that subject. The ones I talked about above are all secular curricula. I know that many homeschoolers do prefer, especially in science, to have a faith-based curriculum.
The following are all faith-based and are all excellent curriculum choices. I would encourage you to check them out if you are looking for this type of science curriculum.
There are so many out there that it can be hard to limit thoughts and ideas to just a handful. And I know that I have probably missed some excellent ones. But as I said earlier, these are some I have researched, used or have had recommended by friends. I love learning about different curriculum options, especially as we tend to be eclectic IF we use any curriculum at all.
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