Homeschool Science Curriculum

Science is discovery.

At Beyond the Page, we want children to discover the magic of science through messy experiments, hands-on activities, and engaging projects. Our goal with science is understanding — not just regurgitation. This is why we engage children with active lessons so they can see and experience science first-hand. The Beyond the Page science program epitomizes the constructivist model of learning. Learning is an active process that is earned through experience.

Beyond the Page is an interdisciplinary curriculum. From preschool through middle school, our curriculum is structured so that children learn about science in conjunction with the other subjects. When children learn about weather, for example, they will be reading a story in language arts that shows how weather affects the life of a family living on a farm. By tying the subjects together in this manner, children are better able to comprehend the different subjects that they are learning about.

Beyond the Page covers the following scientific disciplines:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Earth Science

Elementary Science

In the elementary years, we use a spiraling approach to science. Instead of spending a year on biology followed by a year in physics, we introduce children to each of the different areas of science each year. As children get older, we spiral deeper into each of the different areas. We cover weather, for example, in Age 5-7, Age 7-9, Age 8-10, and then again in Age 10-12. As students progress through each level, the concepts become more in-depth.

Middle School Science

The middle school science level will prepare students for a smooth entry into high school science. In our middle school science program we spend about a semester on each of the four main disciplines. By the time they enter high school, students will understand the basic concepts, principles, and vocabulary of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science.

Overview of Science Units

In the youngest levels of our curriculum (Age 4-5, Age 5-7, and Age 6-8), the science, social studies, and language arts lessons are all tightly woven together. Beginning with Age 7-9, which is usually either 2nd or 3rd grade for most students, the science units are available separately from the social studies and language arts curriculum. They can be completed independently from these subjects, but we tie the three units together thematically so that children benefit from doing them together.

The following list shows the science units that are available from Age 7-9 and on.