Best Homeschool Science Curriculum for 7th Grade

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Seventh grade is a wonderful time for learning science! There are several great
curriculum options for science at this grade level, as well as other supplementary materials to make learning science at home easier and more fun than ever before. Here are three of our favorite picks for the best homeschool science curriculum for 7th grade.

At the end of this article we’ve also listed some of our favorite science resources for kids in this age group.

Best All-Around Homeschool Science for 7th Grade

Science Dimensions (Grades 6-8), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

If you are looking for a traditional, thorough curriculum that will guide your seventh grade homeschooler through science in a dynamic and customizable way, we recommend the new Science Dimensions series from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Designed to replace the older Science Fusions series, Science Dimensions is a secular curriculum based on the “5E” model of instruction (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate). Each lesson begins with an “engage” activity, followed by some kind of exploration assignment, an explanation exercise in an experience notebook, a hands-on project, and a lesson that further elaborates the subject.

Science Dimensions is an interactive, hybrid program incorporating virtual learning with print instruction. Students engage with the material through videos, online simulations, virtual “field trips”, and more. They also use print worktexts alongside this virtual instruction. This is a structured program that includes assessments so parents can easily evaluate their students’ progress.

Unlike many traditional science curriculums, Science Dimensions does not require students to complete units in a particular order. Rather, the middle school series consists of 12 modules that may be purchased individually and done in whatever order the parent/student chooses. It is recommended that a student complete four modules each year of middle school. Don’t worry if you are beginning the program in seventh grade or starting mid-year. Just choose the module or modules you want to begin with and go from there. It’s okay if your student doesn’t complete all of the modules before high school – much of this material will be retaught in the high school years.

We love the flexibility and opportunities for customization this 12-module system offers. It’s a great option for homeschoolers who want to choose their subject matter as they go. It is also a fantastic choice for families who have multiple middle schoolers who want to follow the same curriculum. As there is no prescribed order in which the modules must be completed, your family is free to have two middle school students of different ages complete the same module alongside one another.

The modules are organized by topic and come as a homeschool package that includes the Student Interactive Worktext, the Assessment Guide, and one-year online access to the HMH Homeschool Learning platform. The modules are listed below:

Best Christian Homeschool Science for 7th Grade

Lifepac General Science 1, Grade 7, Alpha Omega Publications

If you are looking for a seventh-grade homeschool science program with a Christian perspective and a strong emphasis on subject mastery, we recommend Lifepac’s seventh-grade general science curriculum. Structured and sequential, the program is excellent for both self-led learners and those following a teacher’s lead. Students can go through the program at the pace that best suits them. Comprehension questions are included in each unit. Science concepts taught in the texts are further illustrated by experiments.

The program includes the following 10 topic-based units:

  • What is Science?
  • Perceiving Things
  • Earth in Space Pt.1
  • Earth in Space Pt. 2
  • The Atmosphere
  • Weather
  • Climate
  • Human Anatomy Pt. 1
  • Human Anatomy Pt. 2
  • Careers in Science

We especially love the inclusion of the “Careers in Science” unit, which helps middle- schoolers start to imagine how they might eventually participate in science at the professional level.

This is an excellent program for parents who don’t have much prep time. The teacher’s manual includes daily lesson plans as well as assessments and answer keys. Parents will need to gather materials for the experiments. This is easy, however, if you purchase one of the available experiment kits upfront; it will include most of the materials your student needs to complete the experiments throughout the year.

The Lifepac General Science 1 Set (Grade 7) includes 10 color-illustrated, consumable student books and a teacher’s manual. Two versions of the science experiment kit are also available – one on the Alpha Omega Press website and one at www.Christianbook.com. Christian Book also sells a supplementary experiment DVD.

Best Classical Science for 7th Grade

Chemistry for the Logic Stage: Second Edition, Paige Hudson

Chemistry for the Logic Stage is part of the popular “Classic Science Series” produced by Elemental Science. The “logic stage” refers to grades 5-8 in the classical homeschool model. (For more on this model see The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise). Chemistry for the Logic Stage is the third course in the series, corresponding to seventh grade. It’s okay if your seventh grader has not used this series in earlier grades – he or she will have no problem beginning with the chemistry course. Or if you’d prefer, your seventh grader could instead use either the course that comes just before this one (Earth Science & Astronomy for the Logic Stage) or the course that comes right after (Physics for the Logic Stage). The teacher’s guide for each course includes instruction on tailoring the material to slightly younger or older students.

With Chemistry for the Logic Stage, students explore science by reading, performing experiments, completing hands-on projects, and memorizing facts and concepts. The program covers a full school year (36 weeks). Each week explores a different topic and usually includes an experiment, necessary vocabulary, memory work, a sketching project, a writing assignment, and entering dates on a date sheet. The Student Guide includes project, narration, and experiment pages, where students learn how to define and summarize scientific concepts. The Teacher’s Guide offers both a 2-day/week and 5-day/week schedule, both of which break down the tasks and assignments for each day.

Classical homeschoolers will appreciate how this curriculum follows the classical cycle promoted in The Well-Trained Mind and emphasizes the student’s mastery of foundational science concepts through experiments, writing, and memorization. Charlotte Mason-style homeschoolers will also love this program because of the opportunities for writing, sketching, observation, and further self-led work. Whatever your homeschool approach, Chemistry for the Logic Stage offers a vibrant framework for seventh graders to learn scientific constructs while also using their imaginations and writing, artistic, and observational skills.

You will need to purchase the second editions of both the Student Guide and Teacher Guide. You will also need The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Science and The Usborne Science Encyclopedia. Additionally, Elemental Science offers an experiment kit that includes all the materials necessary for the experiments in the course (this is available at elementalscience.com). We highly recommend purchasing this along with the books. Elemental Science also offers various sets and bundles for the material at their website.

Other 7th Grade Science Resources

Whichever seventh grade science curriculum you choose, we highly recommend supplementing your student’s studies with other great science resources, such as books, magazines, experiment kits, subscription boxes, and even a microscope. These can be used in combination with your curriculum materials or on their own when a change of pace is needed. Perhaps you want to have your student follow their curriculum schedule Monday through Thursday and use Fridays for reading fun science books or doing an experiment from a subscription kit. Time on one’s own spent reading a science magazine or tinkering with an experiment kit might be just what your seventh grader needs to regain lost motivation in the middle of a tiring semester. Here are some of our favorite supplementary science resources for seventh graders:

Subscription Boxes

KiwiCo Tinker Crate

We are huge fans of Kiwi Co., which offers a variety of STEAM-centered monthly subscription boxes for kids of all ages. They include all the materials necessary to make an awesome STEM project(s). Tinker Crate is designed for kids age 9-16+. Project examples include a hydraulic claw, a walking robot, and a trebuchet that will launch ping-pong balls 10 feet in the air!


KiwiCo Eureka Crate

Also from Kiwi Co., Eureka Crate is designed for teens 14+ and is fantastic for STEM- minded students who are ready to move beyond Tinker Crate. Like the other crates, Eureka Crate comes with easy instructions and all the materials necessary to create an amazing STEM project. Example crate projects include an articulated desk lamp, an electric pencil sharpener, and a wooden eukele (that will really play music!).


Mel Chemistry

Each monthly Mel Chemistry box includes 2-3 chemistry experiments. The first month, you will also receive a starter kit and virtual reality headset that will be used in future boxes. Example projects include building a “galaxy in a bottle” and growing your own copper coral on an iron clip! Designed for all ages, this kit is a great supplement to homeschool chemistry courses for junior high and high schoolers.

Mel Physics

Designed for kids 8-14+, the Mel Physics box delivers all the materials needed for 2-3 new experiments per month. Use of the mobile and virtual reality apps will make physics come alive even more. Example projects include building your own vacuum chamber (and inflating marshmallows inside it) and making a corn syrup kaleidoscope. This box is an especially great supplement to homeschool physics courses for junior high and high schoolers.

Spangler Science Club

Created by the famous and fun science guy Steve Spangler, a Spangler Science Club subscription is recommended for kids in the early middle school years. Designed for ages 5-12, the monthly science box has all the materials for simple but exciting projects, such as science-fueled magic tricks or colorful fizzy lab experiments. Multiple kids can work on the experiments together. The club offers two subscription levels: STEMlab includes up to five experiments per box, while STEMdeluxe contains up to 10.

STEM Discovery Boxes

Another great option for STEM-minded middle schoolers is the STEM Discovery Box. Designed for kids ages 7-teen, your seventh grader can work on these projects with a younger sibling, as well. Each monthly box comes with all the materials necessary to make three STEM-themed projects. Examples include building a remote control elevator, making a vegetable-powered clock, and growing crystals.

Space & Beyond Box

Unlike the other subscription services listed here, the Space & Beyond Box is not an experiment or project kit. Rather, each quarterly box includes five to seven good quality astronomy-related tools and items. The items in each box form a themed collection, such as “comets & asteroids” or “night sky viewing”. These boxes are not specifically geared toward kids, but they are nevertheless fantastic for space-minded teens.

Magazines

National Geographic Kids (ages 6+)

Each issue of National Geographic Kids is jam-packed with fascinating information about wildlife, science, geography, and nature. Fun facts, games, jokes, and puzzles are also included.

Ranger Rick (ages 7-12)

Each issue of Ranger Rick includes articles on different animal and environmental topics, as well as fun games and activities, poems, stories, riddles, contests, and more.

Zoobooks (ages 6-12)

This magazine is a classic, and for good reason. Each issue focuses on a different animal, providing lots of information, photos, and activities for readers.

Owl (9-13)

Many seventh-graders love this science-themed magazine, which includes puzzles quizzes, contests, and interesting articles.

Muse (ages 9-14)

This is a great magazine for kids and tweens interested in science and art. In-depth articles on fascinating topics are included along with great photographs and illustrations.

Microscopes

AmScope 40X-1000X Beginners Microscope Kit for Kids & Students w/ Complete Science Accessory Kit + World of the Microscope Book

National Geographic Dual LED Student Microscope

Experiment Kits

  • Smithsonian Mega Science Lab
  • Playz Kaboom! Explosive Combustion Science Lab Kit
  • Playz Explosive Kitchen Lab
  • Playz Brain Freeze Ice Cream Making Science Kit
  • Discovery Extreme Chemistry STEM Science Kit
  • Fizz! Chemistry Science Kit for Kids
  • 4M Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit
  • 4M Clean Water Science
  • 4M Green Science Solar Rover Kit
  • 4M Weather Science Kit
  • 4M Kidzlabs Anti-Gravity Magnetic Levitation Science Kit

Books

  • Science! DK
  • Science Encyclopedia, National Geographic Kids
  • Science Year by Year: a Visual History, From Stone Tools to Space Travel, DK
  • The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book, Tom Robinson
  • How to Be Good at Science, Technology, and Engineering, DK
  • Edible Science: Experiments You Can Eat, National Geographic Kids

Conclusion

Most seventh graders are naturally interested in science, especially if it is presented to them in dynamic and exciting ways. Homeschooling offers students the perfect environment for such an approach. Choose the curriculum that most appeals to you and try supplementing it with a subscription box, a magazine, some great science books, and maybe even a microscope. Then allow your students to follow their curiosity as they discover how science really is all around them.