Elemental Science Classic Series

ScienceGrades K–9

About This Curriculum

<cite index="1-1,1-7">Elemental Science Classic Series is a homeschool science curriculum for grades one through eight designed with the classical trivium stages (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) in mind</cite>. <cite index="1-4,1-6,1-12">It uses colorful fact books from publishers like Usborne and DK as spines, with teacher guides providing daily lesson plans, and hands-on learning through science experiments</cite>.

What makes it unique: <cite index="1-10,1-11">The curriculum combines Charlotte Mason methodology (using narration and sketching) with classical trivium approach, and students create notebooks with pre-made student workbooks that have much of the work already done</cite>.

Elemental Science Classic Series: Classical Homeschool Science Program

Elemental Science Classic Series is a homeschool science curriculum for grades K-8 that combines classical education principles with Charlotte Mason methods. The program uses colorful fact books from publishers like Usborne and DK as spine texts, paired with teacher guides that provide structured lesson plans and hands-on experiments.

Best for

Homeschooling families seeking a classical education approach to science who have some science background to supplement instruction

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 2 concerns · 1 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum builds content knowledge through fact-rich spine books and requires students to write vocabulary definitions, outlines, and summaries.

Uses encyclopedias like The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia and DK Encyclopedia of Nature as spines, with emphasis on 'acquisition of facts' and vocabulary work on Unit Vocabulary Sheets

Direct InstructionStrength

The program provides structured teacher guides with daily lesson plans and discussion questions for direct instruction.

Teacher guides 'chart out daily lesson plans' and 'include discussion questions for you to use with your students' with clear progression from demonstrations to readings

Scientific VocabularyStrength

The curriculum explicitly teaches scientific vocabulary through dedicated vocabulary sheets and glossaries.

Students 'write definitions for vocabulary words on Unit Vocabulary Sheets' and student books include glossaries

Teacher TrainingConcern

The curriculum provides teacher guides with background information but may require additional science knowledge for troubleshooting.

One reviewer noted that 'her science background allowed her to supplement gaps in understanding and correct explanations when experiments failed' suggesting many families might struggle without expertise

Hands On IntegrationConcern

The program integrates experiments with content learning but has concerning issues with scientific accuracy of some activities.

One reviewer noted 'serious concerns about the scientific accuracy of the experiments, particularly a demonstration about sound waves traveling that used questionable physics explanations'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes optional quizzes, reviews, and tests but may not emphasize systematic retrieval practice.

Courses 'include quizzes, reviews, and tests, although these are optional'

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

No evidence provided regarding NGSS alignment or standards-based design.

Reviews focus on classical education methodology without mentioning standards alignment

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, jeather.wordpress.com