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Science Curriculum for Homeschooling
Science can be super fun. There is so much we can learn about our planet, our bodies, and the forces around us in creation. Even if you never personally cared about science as a student, labs and experiments can be pretty great!
You need to have at least 3 science credits, and 1 of those credits should include a lab of some sort because most colleges expect to see labs on the transcript. Labs may not always be required but be sure to check your state laws and the college requirements before you cut it out. Lots of parents get a bit intimidated by labs, but I'm very confident that you CAN teach science labs. You know why?
There's actually no definition of what "lab" means – it can be almost anything! You can get creative with it and most curriculum already includes lab materials. Score! If you're curious, you can read more about the definition of lab science in this blog post: Laboratory Sciences for Homeschool Students
In high school, popular curriculum often covers Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and beyond. Just FYI, it's VERY uncommon to get into Physics unless the student also has calculus when they graduate. Both courses are math-heavy and required for engineering, but fairly uncommon for others. I took Biology with dissections, Chemistry with labs, Anatomy and Physiology, and Health Science when I was homeschooling.
There's actually no definition of what "lab" means – it can be almost anything! You can get creative with it and most curriculum already includes lab materials. Score! If you're curious, you can read more about the definition of lab science in this blog post: Laboratory Sciences for Homeschool Students
In high school, popular curriculum often covers Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and beyond. Just FYI, it's VERY uncommon to get into Physics unless the student also has calculus when they graduate. Both courses are math-heavy and required for engineering, but fairly uncommon for others. I took Biology with dissections, Chemistry with labs, Anatomy and Physiology, and Health Science when I was homeschooling.
Common Curriculum Providers
Apologia – This company was purchased a few years ago and has branched out from just science curriculum, so if you love their other works, there's a great chance you'll love their sciences too! I'm actually a huge fan of Apologia sciences. I believe it's wonderful for college preparation, and that their Biology, Chemistry, and Physics can provide the highest quality college prep education. Their focus is biblical integrity, and they approach science from a biblical creationist worldview. The Anatomy & Physiology course I took in high school was through Apologia. I learned SO much from that class!
Berean Builders – This company is owned by Jay Wile, who wrote for Apologia previously. His biggest concern is scientific integrity though a Christian lens and worldview. He's so passionate about science that he recommends middle school students learn science only through unit studies and to save textbooks for high school to encourage the love of science from an early age. The Builders build on each year's studies in a specific order to prevent burnout and frustration, and to give your student the best chance at learning and appreciating science based on the level of math they have mastered. It makes a lot of sense to follow their schedule!
Sonlight – This company has curricula for all subjects and all ages. It is particularly homeschool friendly because it teaches the parent as it teaches the student. No previous knowledge required! Their science curriculum comes with teaching helps, student handouts, and weekly experiments. Many of the packages even come with the tools and safety equipment needed to successfully do labs at home. For any parents unsure of teaching science, this curriculum will hold your hand all the way through.
There are two companies that provide easier, video-based science curricula: 101Series.com and Friendly Science that are not as rigorous. I personally took Friendly Chemistry and had a fantastic experience with it. Math has never been my strong subject, so Friendly Chemistry was an excellent curriculum for me. With the help of physical manipulatives and clear illustrations, I was able to understand some of the abstract concepts of Chemistry easily. I highly recommend Friendly Chemistry to any student who is not strong in math or has no desire to go into a STEM field.
Sonlight – This company has curricula for all subjects and all ages. It is particularly homeschool friendly because it teaches the parent as it teaches the student. No previous knowledge required! Their science curriculum comes with teaching helps, student handouts, and weekly experiments. Many of the packages even come with the tools and safety equipment needed to successfully do labs at home. For any parents unsure of teaching science, this curriculum will hold your hand all the way through.
There are two companies that provide easier, video-based science curricula: 101Series.com and Friendly Science that are not as rigorous. I personally took Friendly Chemistry and had a fantastic experience with it. Math has never been my strong subject, so Friendly Chemistry was an excellent curriculum for me. With the help of physical manipulatives and clear illustrations, I was able to understand some of the abstract concepts of Chemistry easily. I highly recommend Friendly Chemistry to any student who is not strong in math or has no desire to go into a STEM field.
If you're just in need of some great lab science equipment, it can be purchased from many sources. Most often I recommend purchasing Sonlight science kits or Home Science Tools to get you started with confidence.
What science curriculum have you used? Share in the comments so upcoming high school parents can glean from your experience!
What science curriculum have you used? Share in the comments so upcoming high school parents can glean from your experience!
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208 N Western St.
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 1-888-533-2435
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 03:00 pm (PST)
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 1-888-533-2435
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 03:00 pm (PST)
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