Science in the Elementary School

Some school districts have discarded all their science textbooks and are having the students just do experiments. While experiments are very important, I feel it is also important to have the child read science text books. Learning the process and terminology in this subject is vital. Some exposure to reading science textbooks is important; therefore, I have included the primary units of one popular series below with some general comments for different age/grade classifications (as defined by the public school system). If we are homeschooling, these age/grade classifications are very flexible and they are listed here only as suggestions. If one chooses, a parent could use the following topics which are a fairly typical scope and sequence, then visit the library, checking out trade books, on the same topics and teaching the children using this approach. After that list, I will discuss some other issues related to science including learning objectives for the older grades, how I teach the subjects for the upper grades, resources that can be obtained to teach science in all grades, and internet addresses.