Science was never my strong subject growing up. Which is funny, because I love nature, experiments, and trying new solutions to problems. I just think that my teachers did not make it fun, exciting, and relevant to me. As a result I am putting extra effort into making Science fun in our homeschool. Guess what? I am loving learning alongside my kids in our homeschool science.
Our Science Curriculum
I emphasize hands on exploration with my early learners. I think the best way for my preschool – 2nd graders to learn about Science is to actually do Science – lots of experiments and exploration of nature!
Christian Kids Explore
The only complete Science curriculum that I have found that does a fantastic job of teaching the principle, explaining things in a way the kids & I can understand them, AND includes lots of hands on exploration is Christian Kids Explore. Here are some of the fun things we’ve done this year as part of our Christian Kids Explore Biology homeschool science curriculum.
- {Edible} Jello Animal Cells
- Creation vs. Evolution Hands on Exploration
- Hands on Taxonomy
- Understanding Photosynthesis
- Animal Kingdom Phyla Fieldtrip
- Habitat Adventure Game (FREE science game for learning about biomes and habitats)
- Coloring Sheets (great for my toddler and preschooler to participate in our homeschool)
- and so much more!
Other Homeschool Science Units We’ve Done
Now that I’ve found Christian Kids Explore I plan to stick with that as our Science curriculum instead of piecing it together like i have been doing. That way it will be more complete and I will ensure covering all aspects instead of missing things I don’t know. It really has it all in short, well-explained lessons filled with hands on experiments and even coloring sheets for younger learners to engage with as well!
These units we’ve done might be just what you are looking for this summer or as an extension activity:
- Hatching Butterflies (with free printable observation book)
- Breeding Guppies
- Bug Unit
- How to Grow Crystals
- Dinosaur Unit
- Frog Lifecycle (with free printable observation book)
- Moon Unit
- Nocturnal Farm Animals (with printable game)
- Scientific Method: What Park is Best?
- Learning about the 4 Seasons
- Water Bead Science
- Weather Unit
- Slime
- My Pet Chicken
When & How I teach Science
I teach Science in the afternoon at the end of our day (usually starting around 3:30pm). That means we’ve done everything else and my little are waking up and and joining us. My toddler (or preschooler) can do the coloring sheets while I read and explain our Science lesson by reading straight from the short, easy to use Christian Kids Explore Biology lesson. Then we take some time to add some hands on element – a game, experiment, additional reading, etc. So Science usually takes about 30 minutes, longer if we are taking a fieldtrip or doing an involved experiment. But usually the experiments are short and meaningful.
Some months I do Science five days a week. Then the next month I skip Science altogether and just focus on Social Studies. It may sound weird, but it allows us to get into larger unit and get more involved. We take more Science based fieldtrips when I am focused on the same subject day after day and the break really helps rejuvenate us all and give us an appetite to start back up!
Our Favorite Science Stuff
These are all great hands on “toys” that will peak your child’s interest and help them explore the wonderful world of Science. These would be a great educational Christmas gift or birthday gift!
Want to know how we teach other subjects? Don’t miss my complete series >> Homeschooling Preschool – 2nd Grade: This is How I Teach << which is part of collaborative hopscotch from iHomeschool Network.
How do YOU Teach Science in your Homeschool
Homeschooling Resources:
- Read a little more about why we home school here.
- Homeschooling 101 (the ultimate guide to starting to home school)
- Our School Room (just in case you wanted to be a fly on the wall)
- Our Workboxes (home school organizational system that works for us)
- Our Homeschool Plan
- 200+ FREE Homeschool Printables by Subject
- FREE Homeschool Report Cards (Preschool – 6th grade)
