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You are here: Home / Homeschool / Reviews / Elemental Science for Kindergarten

Elemental Science for Kindergarten

June 7, 2012 by Maureen Spell 60 Comments

Elemental Science Early Years Curriculum

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.)

Elemental Sciene Materials

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

Exploring Science Water Activity

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.

water changes shape

My girls had no idea they were “doing” science. They thought they were playing! They were learning that water can change shape.

water changes shape activitiy

What kid doesn’t like playing with water? They were playing and learning about properties of water and having fun.

water experiments printable
My 5 yr. old documented her results in her own science notebook (which she loves!)

My Thoughts on Elemental Science

Bug Hotel

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

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

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

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.

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Filed Under: Reviews, science Tagged With: elemental science, iHN, kindergarten science, preschool science, reviews, Reviews: Science, science activities

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Comments

  1. Donyel S says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:16 am

    If I could choose another product it would be Adventures in America. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  2. Eddie - The Usual Mayhem says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:26 am

    I’ve been drooling over this for both my youngest and middle school learners for fall. Please count us in!

    Reply
  3. Kayla Arrowood says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I think the ESA for 2-3rd grade would be interesting to try!!

    Reply
  4. Cindy B says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I think all the programs look so interesting. I’d pick the Chemistry or Physics… I think LOL!

    Reply
  5. crystal says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:46 am

    I would want the biology. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  6. Kim @ The Educators' Spin On It says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:51 am

    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/

    Reply
  7. Stepahnie says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:56 am

    This looks like a good, solid curriculum! If I could choose another product, it would be the Earth Science and Astronomy Grammar.

    Reply
  8. Tracey M. @ A Learning Journey says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:07 am

    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

    Reply
  9. Wendy Buchanan says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Love this! My girls would love to explore the world with this!

    Reply
  10. Jess S says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Early years, exploring science would be my choice.

    Reply
  11. Jamie Segrist says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:36 am

    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!

    Reply
  12. Shelly nelson says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:59 am

    always biology because no matter what changes biology will always have to be taught

    Reply
  13. MamaLearning says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:11 am

    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!

    Reply
  14. Rachael says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:26 am

    This would be great!! I love it. I am on the hunt for books now. :O)

    Reply
  15. JoAnne Y says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:27 am

    I would love Intro to Science. It would be a great addition to our Kindergarten studies in the fall!

    Reply
  16. Amy H says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:39 am

    I would love to try the exploring science for my 5 and 3 year old!

    Reply
  17. Virma Lassiter says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:45 am

    I was looking for a science curriculum, this is a great chance. Thanks.

    Reply
  18. Juliea says

    June 7, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    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!

    Reply
  19. Julie says

    June 7, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    I would like to try the Earth Science and Astronomy.

    Reply
  20. angelhildreth says

    June 7, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
  21. mommachi says

    June 7, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    I would be interested in exploring science for my 4 and 6 year old boys.

    Reply
  22. Jackie says

    June 7, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    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).

    Reply
  23. LaMonica says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    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.

    Reply
  24. Rhoda Wilson says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    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.

    Reply
  25. Bethany Wright says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
  26. Cherie says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Earth Science & Astronomy would be another fun topic to study!!

    Reply
  27. Sara @ Happy Brown House says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I would choose the other one for Early Learners “Intro”

    Reply
  28. Jen S. says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Would love to win this. My daughter starts kinder this year and we love doing science together.

    Reply
  29. Rebecca says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    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.

    Reply
  30. Sarah Hill says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    This sounds like such a neat curriculum. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Kristina says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:06 pm

    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.

    Reply
  32. Jamie says

    June 7, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    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”.

    Reply
  33. Kristen says

    June 7, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    I can’t wait to try this with my group of preschoolers. Thanks for the critique.

    Reply
  34. Melanie Grant says

    June 7, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    Definitely Chemistry

    Reply
  35. Valerie says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    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!

    Reply
  36. paulina wong says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    this will be great for my 4 year old.

    Reply
  37. paulina wong says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    I would use mudpies.

    Reply
  38. Christie H. says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    Other than the program being given away, I would choose the Biology program.

    Reply
  39. Sara says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    I like the look of the biology curriculum…plus it was my favorite science in school:)

    Reply
  40. Beth says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    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!

    Reply
  41. lauren says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    This looks great!!! Also interested in the biology!

    Reply
  42. Caroline says

    June 8, 2012 at 12:00 am

    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.

    Reply
  43. Michelle says

    June 8, 2012 at 2:35 am

    Thank you for this opportunity. I would be interested in the Early Years – Exploring edition.

    Reply
  44. Rachael says

    June 8, 2012 at 10:01 am

    I have been struggling to find a good science curriculum for my Kindergartener, this sounds really great!

    Reply
  45. Joy says

    June 9, 2012 at 9:22 am

    I would be interested in using the Grammar stage of Biology.

    Reply
  46. Anna says

    June 9, 2012 at 10:04 am

    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:)

    Reply
  47. Melody, Countrified Hicks blog says

    June 9, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    I would love to win this. Especially the one about water. How fun!

    Reply
  48. RG says

    June 9, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    I think the Astronomy Grammar or the Chemistry…. it all looks so interesting.

    Reply
  49. Laura says

    June 9, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    i would be interested in the science one for sure, but the history on America looks neat too~

    Reply
  50. Theresa says

    June 9, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I would choose either the Intro to Science or Grammar level Biology. They all look interesting.

    Reply
  51. amane says

    June 10, 2012 at 12:43 am

    biology looks awesome !

    Reply
  52. kim C says

    June 10, 2012 at 12:59 am

    I’d also like to pick the Physics program for Grammar students.

    Reply
  53. Danielle says

    June 10, 2012 at 10:53 am

    I would also like Intro to Science

    Reply
  54. Tabitha says

    June 10, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I would choose the earth science and astronomy program.

    Reply
  55. sarah ronk says

    June 10, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    It’s so hard to pick just one! But probably the Grammar Stage (Biology) b/c A will be 1st grade next year

    Reply
  56. Angela Upright says

    June 10, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I would pick Earth Science!

    Reply
  57. Cindi says

    June 10, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    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!

    Reply
  58. Maureen says

    June 10, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I would love to explore the biology and Earth science curriculums.

    Reply
  59. Denise says

    June 14, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I don’t see who the winner is…please post.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      June 14, 2012 at 6:29 pm

      Mandy R. is the winner (it shows on the Rafflecopter widget). Thank you for entering.

      Reply

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