Best Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum for Elementary

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It used to be very difficult to find high-quality homeschool science curriculums that weren’t religiously-based. Today, however, there are several excellent options for homeschool science curriculums that are secular in nature. In this article, we’ll discuss three of our favorite secular science curriculums for homeschooled elementary students. Whichever curriculum you decide to go with, you might also consider supplementing your child’s science education with one of the many awesome science subscription kits now available. To learn more about the different science subscription kit options available, see our article Best Science Subscription Boxes.

If you are looking for a secular science curriculum for an older student, check out our articles Best Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum for Middle School and Best Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum for High School. 

Best Basic Program

Calvert Homeschool Elementary Science Courses

If you are looking for a solid, secular science course for your homeschooled elementary student, consider the offerings by Calvert Homeschool. Calvert has been publishing top-notch secular homeschool curriculums for many years. Its science courses are thorough and engaging, and the program structure makes parent prep time minimal. Calvert’s course courses come in a color-illustrated worktext format that kids enjoy using. A teacher’s guide includes everything necessary to help parents guide their children through the material. 

The 1st Grade Science course focuses on the human body, the five senses, animals, plants, energy, health, machines, and other topics. The 2nd Grade Science course teaches about similarities and differences in humans, similarities and differences in animals, taking care of pets, the five senses, colors, shapes, sizes, the seasons, and more. The Grade 3 course explores a variety of topics including the human body, plants, animals, matter, sounds, seasons, rocks, and energy. In the Grade 4 course, students examine plants, animals, the environment, machines, electricity, magnetism, water, weather, the earth, and the solar system. The Grade 5 course focuses on cells, the life cycles of plants and animals, energy, geology, and fossils. 

Best Classical Approach

Classical Science Elementary Series, Elemental Science

If you are looking for an engaging, hands-on, secular science program that follows the classical model of homeschooling promoted in The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, look no further than the wonderful Classical Science series produced by Elemental Science. The series follows the classical education delineations of the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages. Thus, elementary students in grades 1-4 will want to use the program’s grammar stage series, whereas upper elementary (grades 5+) can begin the logic stage program.

The four grammar-stage programs focus on biology, earth science and astronomy, chemistry, and physics. Ideally, have your student begin the biology course in first grade and continue the series in order through fourth grade, then move him onto the logic stage biology course in fifth grade. It is also okay for your child to take the courses out of order, however. If you are starting the program midway through elementary school or want to use the same course for multiple elementary students in different grades, just choose the course that seems most appropriate and start from there.

Each course is built around a 36-week schedule that incorporates reading, scientific demonstrations, lab reports, narrations, and hands-on projects and experiments. For each course, you will need to purchase a Student Workbook and Teacher Guide, as well as some supplemental books. Here are the materials you’ll need for each course in the elementary series:

Biology for the Grammar Stage

Earth Science & Astronomy for the Grammar Stage

Chemistry for the Grammar Stage

Physics for the Grammar Stage

Biology for the Logic Stage (for grades 5+)

Additional optional resources can be found at the Elemental Science website.

Best Charlotte Mason-Style

Sassafras Science Series, Elemental Science

Also produced by Elemental Science, the Sassafras Science series is another excellent, engaging, secular science curriculum. Based in a living-books model, this science program is very unique in the way it incorporates a novel-style story into each stage of learning. The stories follow the fictional adventures of Blaine and Tracey Sassafras, who travel around the world learning about science. This complete, hands-on science curriculum is a wonderful option for Charlotte Mason-style learners and students who struggle with traditional science curriculums.

The program consists of six main volumes (as well as a pre-journey starter volume called Summer’s Lab). It takes one semester to read each of the six main volumes and complete the corresponding assignments and activities. The program incorporates not only reading of the Sassafras novels but also supplementary reading, dictation, copywork, hands-on projects, and fun experiments. The six volumes in the series focus on zoology, anatomy, botany, earth science, geology, and astronomy.

For the best experience, begin the program with either the Summer’s Lab starter volume or the first volume, which focuses on Zoology. You’ll need the following materials for Volume 1:

Additional information and resources for the Sassafras Science series can be found at the Elemental Science website.

Conclusion

Fortunately for today’s secular homeschoolers, there are several really excellent secular science programs available at the elementary level. If you have an older student, check out our articles Best Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum for Middle School and Best Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum for High School. Also consider supplementing your child’s science education with a science subscription boxes. There are many great options to choose from, and you can read more about them in our article Best Science Subscription Boxes.