I did pretty good piecing science units together here and there this past year, but I was looking for something that would require less planning time from me. When I was asked to review Exploring Science, a 36-week curriculum from Elemental Science just for k4/k5 kids, I said yes! I was hopeful this might be our kindergarten science solution for the upcoming year. (Be sure to scroll down for an Elemental Science giveaway!)
What is Elemental Science?
Elemental science is a 36-week science curriculum with a classical bent. They have curriculum for all ages. Exploring Science is one of the 2 early years programs geared for Pre-k – K. (See Finding Joy’s Review of Intro. to Science.)
I was given the digital versions of Exploring Science. This came with a digital student workbook and the teacher’s guide. I printed out the student pages and had them bound at my local copy center. I used my iPad to read the teacher’s guide and purchased my own copy of Science Play, which is necessary for this program. Here’s an overview of what is covered:
Unit 1: Exploring the World Around Me
Unit 2: Exploring Water
Unit 3: Exploring Air
Unit 4: Exploring Weather
Unit 5: Exploring Plants
Unit 6: Exploring the Earth
Unit 7: Exploring Chemistry
Unit 8: Exploring Sound
Unit 9: Exploring Motion
Want to see more? Check out the online sample pages of Exploring Science.
How We Used Exploring Science
There are two different schedule options to choose from. What I really appreciate is that each week can be done on its own– it is not dependent on doing previous weeks. This is awesome for me, the teacher who likes to do things out of order. Also each unit can be done separately from all the other units. We actually started with Unit 2, Exploring Water.
My girls had no idea they were “doing” science. They thought they were playing! They were learning that water can change shape.
What kid doesn’t like playing with water? They were playing and learning about properties of water and having fun.
My 5 yr. old documented her results in her own science notebook (which she loves!)
My Thoughts on Elemental Science
Creating a Bug Hotel
I have certain expectations of science curriculum, especially materials geared toward young learners. I believe that young children learn through play, need to have many hands-on opportunities, and need to be outside and observe nature. I was pleasantly surprised that Exploring Science fit my requirements!
Blot-painting activity Unit 2 Exploring Water
Exploring science has age-appropriate activities. This curriculum has nature study activities, easy-to-implement experiments using basic household items, art activities, and play activities. The student booklet has a nice combination of coloring pages, dictation/writing pages, and places to add artwork. I like that the emphasis is on the activities, not the worksheets.
Crayon - Resist Painting Unit 2: Exploring Water
The teacher’s manual had everything scheduled nicely, and I have really enjoyed the spine book, Science Play. Even though this curriculum has a classical bent, at this level I think it can be used with any homeschool method and even used by parents just wanting to give their child more science experiences. I am using this curriculum with my 3.5 yr. old and my 5 yr. old and we will see how far we get this summer! We’ve already completed one unit and my girls are excited to do more!
Tomorrow, stop by Mary’s blog at Homegrown Learners to read about her experience with Physics Grammar Stage. She’ll be having a giveaway as well. Be sure to visit Connie’s blog review from yesterday to learn more about Biology Grammar Stage.
Elemental Science Giveaway
You can win Exploring Science by entering below (thank you Elemental Science!) And since you will need Science Play to use this program, SpellOutloud is going to give that to the winner as well! That way you will have everything you need to start this curriculum with your little ones.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received the Exploring ebooks for free, but was compensated for the time invested to do the review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to do a positive review. This review was coordinated by the iHomeschool Network. Affiliate links are used within the review. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.
If I could choose another product it would be Adventures in America. Thank you so much!
I’ve been drooling over this for both my youngest and middle school learners for fall. Please count us in!
I think the ESA for 2-3rd grade would be interesting to try!!
I think all the programs look so interesting. I’d pick the Chemistry or Physics… I think LOL!
I would want the biology. Thanks so much!
They all look great, but I think I’d probably choose chemistry. Big brother is a chem major in college right now and I think little sister would enjoy sharing that common interest. Just pinned this onto our Science Board http://pinterest.com/pin/79798224617919494/
This looks like a good, solid curriculum! If I could choose another product, it would be the Earth Science and Astronomy Grammar.
If I could pick just one other Science program from this company it would be the Grammar Stage Biology because several of the topics studied throughout the book are ones that I wanted to cover this year with Alyssa. I have been slacking when it comes to science and this set looks like a great place to start. I looked at the sample pages and they look like a GREAT fit for us. Thank you for the opportunity and for posting this giveaway!
God bless,
Tracey M.
tlmswt2000(at)msn(dot)com
Love this! My girls would love to explore the world with this!
Early years, exploring science would be my choice.
I have been looking for a good science curriculum for my just turned five year old for a long time. This looks like it could totally fit the bill!
always biology because no matter what changes biology will always have to be taught
I would choose Biology-Grammar Stage. It looks like such a good fit for my older two kiddos (7 and 5 yrs old).
Great review, Maureen! I also love that the learning focuses more on activities and less on paperwork/worksheets.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
This would be great!! I love it. I am on the hunt for books now. :O)
I would love Intro to Science. It would be a great addition to our Kindergarten studies in the fall!
I would love to try the exploring science for my 5 and 3 year old!
I was looking for a science curriculum, this is a great chance. Thanks.
Wow, what a fun way to get more science into our day. The science notebook looks like a winner for the Sid the Science Kid lovers in our house!
I would like to try the Earth Science and Astronomy.
I think I would be interested in the biology one. I always loved biology in school. I think my son would too. He is very inquisitive.
I would be interested in exploring science for my 4 and 6 year old boys.
I would really like to try this program. I have a very geeky grandson who I think would enjoy this along with his younger sister. They are 5 1/2 and 4 (almost).
I would live to have the Intro to Science curriculum to use in addition to the Exploring Science curriculum. These both look like lots of fun for my Kindergarten girl. I even think her big brothers would have fun joining in to “play” with her.
I would love to be entered into the drawing. I know my children who just turned five would really like this. Sassafras Adventure and the Zoology part looks like it would be fun. Thank you very much.
I have been searching and trying to find ways to include science into our curriculum next year with my K4 daughter! This looks amazing and I know she would absolutely love it!! Thanks for the opportunity and info!
Earth Science & Astronomy would be another fun topic to study!!
I would choose the other one for Early Learners “Intro”
Would love to win this. My daughter starts kinder this year and we love doing science together.
I would have to choose I think the Early Years Intro program, I like the sample of the Early Years Exploring program as well so it would be a hard choice.
This sounds like such a neat curriculum. 🙂
I’ve been intrigued by this science curriculum for a while now! Nice to see your review and some of the things you have done! Other than Exploring Science, I would be interested in Intro to Science for my almost 5 year old.
Being as I have a 3yo, I would be interested in what appears to be the next level for the early years, “Intro to Science”.
I can’t wait to try this with my group of preschoolers. Thanks for the critique.
Definitely Chemistry
Nice review. I was just briefly looking at this curriculum the other day. I have been fighting curriculum junkie tendencies for years, so it’s hard to read other blogs and see all this cool stuff out there. 🙂 I also piece together stuff for my crew, but sometimes, just sometimes, I think it would be nice not to have to do all the work. Such inner conflict…lol!
this will be great for my 4 year old.
I would use mudpies.
Other than the program being given away, I would choose the Biology program.
I like the look of the biology curriculum…plus it was my favorite science in school:)
I’m all abut the early learners because I have a 2 and 4 year old…so if I had to pick another program it would be Intro to Science!
This looks great!!! Also interested in the biology!
Thanks so much for this review! My son LOVES hands-on exploration, so I’m most intrigued by these “early years” programs you and Rachel (Finding Joy) have reviewed.
Thank you for this opportunity. I would be interested in the Early Years – Exploring edition.
I have been struggling to find a good science curriculum for my Kindergartener, this sounds really great!
I would be interested in using the Grammar stage of Biology.
I would choose Earth and Space (logic or grammar) because I’ve already purchased Biology (both logic and grammar) for next year. Or the other early years level because I have a lot of kids in the young range too:)
I would love to win this. Especially the one about water. How fun!
I think the Astronomy Grammar or the Chemistry…. it all looks so interesting.
i would be interested in the science one for sure, but the history on America looks neat too~
I would choose either the Intro to Science or Grammar level Biology. They all look interesting.
biology looks awesome !
I’d also like to pick the Physics program for Grammar students.
I would also like Intro to Science
I would choose the earth science and astronomy program.
It’s so hard to pick just one! But probably the Grammar Stage (Biology) b/c A will be 1st grade next year
I would pick Earth Science!
Though they all look wonderful, if choosing one, I would say Biology. I absolutely love the way this curriculum is set up, and I know my grandchildren and home childcare kiddos would love it also!
I would love to explore the biology and Earth science curriculums.
I don’t see who the winner is…please post.
Mandy R. is the winner (it shows on the Rafflecopter widget). Thank you for entering.