kindergarten

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

July 28, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Choosing kindergarten science homeschool curriculum for energetic kids is challenging. Besides homeschool kindergarten should be fun.

Today, I’m sharing solid tips in how to choose science curriculum for your homeschooled kindergartner.

Some take a spiral approach and are very workbook driven while others include many hands-on lessons.

However, before I jump into sharing so many wonderful choices, you need to know the importance of balancing subjects.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

For example, as a seasoned homeschool mom with three grads I know the importance of focusing on the skill subjects first.

The skill subjects are also known as the three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.

How to Balance Kindergarten Homeschool Science with Skills Subjects

And here are three reasons why the skill subjects should stay in the forefront.

First, if a child can’t read well, he’ll struggle his whole life
Second, when a child does read well, he can study any subject or topic which delights him and
Third, math is needed lifelong and without a solid start in math, a child will struggle in science.

However, what some educators tout in the homeschool world is that it must be an either or choice.

Choose skill subjects or content subjects like science to focus on primarily in the younger grades.

Don’t get me wrong. There is some merit to that way of thinking.

Look at Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten: 260 Activities To Do With Your Child From Age 0 to 5 to show how playing and learning are essentially linked.

For instance, some moms of kindergartners can have an unrealistic view of what a learning day looks like for a kindergartner.

In addition, they also have an unrealistic view of how much time their children should spend homeschooling.

Although children are on different learning scales, here are some ways that kindergarten moms may not understand the learning process.

They want their kindergartener to write or worst yet write with a pencil.
Too, they think that a child should be reading at this age. It’s very normal for children to still be learning letter and blend sounds. Even children reading beginning chapter books is normal.
In addition, instead of embracing their energetic child, they think children should sit down for long periods of time to learn.

As you can see, there are a variety of skill levels.

Nevertheless, there are qualities which make homeschooling easier which a lot of young children share.

So, tap into those natural strengths to capitalize on for learning.

How to Match Science Curriculum with Learner

Look below at the strengths you want to tap into.

Most are very energetic and eager to learn.
Being wiggly and inquisitive, they can tolerate a variety of learning material that meets their needs for hands-on activities,
They move and wiggle but they’re paying attention.
Playing IS how children this age best learn. It should be hard to separate science fun from playing during the day.
And they’re learning with every breath they take.

Now that you have a glimpse of the big learning picture with kindergartners, I want you to choose kindergarten science curriculum meticulously.

Choose one which aligns with your child’s nature desire to learn.

Next, I don’t believe you have to make a choice between teaching science which is a content subject versus a skill subject. You can do both.
But you do need to know what is important to teach when your child is feeling overwhelmed or when life hands you a less than a desirable schedule to homeschool.
Sometimes, you can only teach the skill subjects.

But if you can teach science right along at the beginning it will make your child’s learning experience more enriching.

However, there is one more significant foundational point I want you to know.

Besides, I can’t help sharing with you points that have helped me succeed in homeschooling for 20+ years.

Two Approaches to Teach Homeschool Kindergarten Science

Thus, there are two ways to teach science at this age

One is where you take a beautiful science topic book or story and teach facts through finding easy hands-on activities to go along with the topic; and
the second way is using a laid-out curriculum which covers a multiple of topics like earth and science, animal science, plant science or human body.

The important point to remember is that science is not a subject a child can be behind in at this age.

Besides kindergarten science homeschool curriculum comes in a variety of options.

You want to create a love for science.

So hands-on activities should be abundant and writing about it should not be.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum

Finally, look below at solid science curriculum for kindergarten.

1. Nick and Tesla Series

This first one is Nick and Tesla series. This is a reference story like series more than curriculum.

And this is a perfect example of a fun series for a bit older child, but one that will feed the curiosity of a budding scientist.

If you have an eager science minded child, you can tweak an older resource to meet his needs.

One of the best parts is that you can do this with all your children.

Follow your child’s interests and include hands-on ideas as you child wants to do them.

2.Summer Beach from Sassafras Science Adventures.

Next, Summer Beach is a kindergarten full year program from the same company that makes the The Sassafras Science Adventures.

It includes a Summer’s Lab Teacher Guide, Summer’s Lab Student Lab Manual and a Summer’s Lab Reference Notes. You decide if you want to use the Student Lab Manual or the Reference notes.

Each unit has 4 lessons and is presented in a short story form along with questions for you to ask.

They use the idea of making a sandwich like learning science. You add different parts to build your science topic or sandwich for the week.

And you have two scheduling options.

Summer’s Lab Lab Manual

3.The Sassafras Science Adventures.

Then, this curriculum can be used for multiple ages too. However, it is a curriculum if you want more laid out.

Next, is The Sassafras Science Adventures which is written for grades K to 5. And there are several books each based on a different topic.

There are components for creating a lapbook and it too is written in a story form.

As I mentioned each book is on a different topic.

There is Anatomy, Botany, Zoology, and Earth Science; there are other books in the series but they begin with first grade.

4.The Cat In the Hat’s Learning Library.

Also another fun one which has been around for a while is the Cat In the Hat’s Learning Library. Kids love this series anyway.

Use the science focused books for a fun science program and add in coloring, crafts, and drawing as you child wants to. It’s such a fun introduction to science.

5.The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books

In addition, another fun keeper and great choice is the The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books.

I loved these too like the other books especially if you have younger children, it’s worth buying to use over and over again as each child comes along.

6. Preschool Science: Exploring Creation Together

And although this next one says preschool, it’s for ages 3 to 5.

One of the best parts of Preschool Science: Exploring Creation Together is not only presenting science in a story form, but it includes hands-on ideas with items you can find at home.

Another part is the parent’s section where they speak to you in how to use the curriculum as a guide.

7. Funschooling Level A for K- 2

Additionally, the funschooling books for Level A are K – 2. You can use them to cover a couple of years. depending on how much science you want to cover.

Funschooling is such a fun series of books. And they are quite a few choices for science. Remember too although they say K to 2, some books may be a bit more mature in terms of activities.

However, the content is solid and fun. Until your child can do some of the activities, you can try easier ones.

They have space, oceans and a nature study journal to name a few.

8. Be Naturally Curious

Also, Be Naturally Curious is another choice.

I’ve not used them but I have been eyeballing them. They have minicourses as they call them which are downloadable pdfs.

They take a story approach along with games, activities, nature and being outside.

If you lack the room for a ton of books this pdf guide would make a great resource and I love the topics hey have for grades K to 5. So you could use this with your older children too.

9. Christian Liberty Nature Readers

The Christian Liberty Nature Readers I’ve used and are beautiful and packed full of information for your eager learner.

I love the fact that I could just sit and read about spiders to my kids or whatever topic they were interested in and just ponder the beautiful creatures.

As mentioned, they’re readers. So if you want to add in some hands-on activities there is plenty of information to pull from.

I loved reading ahead and finding science activities like insect lore to go with our reading.

10. Science Unlocked

Another one we’re going to do soon is Science Unlocked.

Science Unlocked is everything that you need to teach your child an entire month’s worth of science in one box – complete with detailed teacher guide and student workbook.

The series Wonder is for K to 2. And they have topics like

Squishy Science,
Penguin Parenting
From Brrr to Burrow and
Blast off to name a few topics.

11. Master Books

Too, Master Books is a curriculum which has a series named Let’s Talk Science.

Master Books has a beautiful Charlotte Mason approach to teaching science. We have not used it, but it has experiments, memory verses and activity pages.

12. The Good and The Beautiful

Furthermore, we’ve been using the other components of The Good and The Beautiful but not the science yet.

They have a science series they want to expand on it and named it Science for Little Hearts and Hands. The first course is for Preschool to 2nd and is Course Set—Fields and Flowers .

13. BookShark

Yet another wonderful science curriculum for kindergarten age is BookShark.

PreK is geared toward ages 4 – 5 and Level A is for ages 5 – 7.

BookShark uses beautiful literature with hands-on projects lined out in a full year program.

14. Christian Liberty

This next one is Christian Liberty which has a sweet 92 page book called The World God Made and is straight up and simple if you’re looking for a faith-based curriculum.

15. Nancy Larson Science

Another solid choice is the Nancy Larson Science programs which are for K to 5. As stated on her site, she believes a hands-on, cross-curricular approach wrapped in a scientific conversation is the best way to teach children.

16. Pandia Press

REAL Science Odyssey – Life Level One is geared toward K/1 as it states up to 2nd grade. And it is a secular program which many homeschoolers like as well.

You can find REAL Science Odyssey – Life Level One on Home Science Tools where they pair the program with a science kit.

Next, these two choices are some of my favorites we used.

17. Use Subscription Boxes

Something about getting a fun box of surprises every month just adds the excitement to learn science. We really love getting our science boxes.

Look at this Little Passports Science Jr. – Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 5-8.

And here is another one STEM Discovery Boxes – Monthly STEM Science Subscription Box for ages 7 to teen.

Bitsbox – Coding Subscription Box for Kids.

18. Use Topical Science Books.

This last choice is to use a topic-based reference science book and explore on your own. Because science should be fun, follow your child’s lead and choose beautifully illustrated books on one topic.

Add in hands-on projects and you have a very unique science curriculum. Add in a few science workbooks but sparingly. This will allow you to not have to create assignments.

Look at some of the choices for topical books.

Other Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum Tips

How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

July 21, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Blending kindergarten homeschool subjects and life doesn’t make it easy to determine kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

However, today I’m helping you to know how to effortlessly blend the kindergarten subjects with what you’re doing naturally every day.

Further, don’t forget up to this time you have not used any curriculum in your instruction.

Sometimes very little kindergarten homeschool curriculum is needed.

In addition, families vary in their needs, but all children benefit from a gentle and relaxed approach to the kindergarten homeschool subjects.

How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

Moreover, it’s important to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

And it begins what the subjects that are foundational and the subjects that can be folded into your day naturally.

Beginning my journey 20+ years ago, I didn’t have to make a choice about common core and by the time the No Child Left Behind act was passed, I was well on my way to homeschooling.

Because the educational world can be muddled to trek through, I will give you a glimpse of what is important at this age.

Essential Kindergarten Subjects

Too, it’s important for you to first to know what subjects you need and want to teach.

1. Begin with the subjects your local homeschool law requires.

First, begin with your local law.

No, you don’t choose homeschool curriculum first because your local law could be relaxed or it could be rigid. And your curriculum can help or hinder you meet state law.

Choose curriculum after you’re familiar with the subjects you must teach.

2. Second, focus on math and language arts which are your essential subjects

Then, know what are foundational subjects for kindergarten.

Although curriculum companies tout that you need all subjects, the truth of it is that math and language arts are the key components.

But, I know you want details because that is what I needed to when teaching my first child.

What’s more look below at this list to see what skills you need to focus on.

ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS IN KINDERGARTEN

MATH | LANGUAGE ARTS (Tip: The subjects vary by age and grade.) For Kindergarten, the subjects are Reading, Phonics, and Writing.

SKILLS TAUGHT IN MATH	SKILLS TAUGHT IN LANGUAGE ARTS
Know the ordinal numbers up to 10, but recite numbers to 100	Names the parts of a book like cover, back, and inside pages. Understands which direction to hold the book And knows that a story has a beginning, middle and ending .

Knows how to compare two groups to understand the more than, less than and equal to.	Recognizes the letters of the alphabet and understands that the letter represents sounds.
Recognizes shapes, and understand patterns ABC, AABBCC, ABBCC, ABAB, etc. Identifies money. Is familiar with conventional measuring tools like rulers, but starts with unconventional tools like a pencil.	Can see that we read right to left and top to bottom. Associates sounds with symbols for writing and begins with inventive writing which letters can be indistinguishable. And practices adding new words to his vocabulary.

Compares objects based on size and capacity.	Can retell stories and can even act them out.
Counting by 10s and understands what is a pair.	Begins to learn and recognize signs from his community like stop signs, etc.

Is familiar with a clock and the numbers on it.	Recognizes his name and attempts to “write” it.
Becomes familiar with word that represent position like under, through, on top of, etc. Also, begins basic addition and subtraction by learning how to group sets and break them apart.	Begins to sound out and read CVC words like cat, rat, and sat.

3. Decide how to pair kindergarten subjects with life skills.

Next, look at these skills above which are normally introduced in curriculum through a scope and sequence or order.

Kindergarten Subjects

So, you can either use a laid-out curriculum or continue to do what you’ve been doing up to this time in your child’s life.

For example, look at how I effortlessly blended the kindergarten homeschool subjects with life skills.

Reading aloud increases your child’s vocabulary, ability to retell, and encourages him to act out what he has learned.
Point out words or signs in your home and community to explain their meaning and what they say.
Provide plenty of pictures books to your child to look at and dream about.
Plant a garden to cover science, measuring, and “write’ on plant markers.
Instead of using the app on your phone, have your Kindergarten help with a grocery list.
Encourage your kindergarten to understand money by adding some to his piggy bank and paying for small items with your supervision.

Beautiful and Flexible Early Learner Homeschool Planner
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early learner planner

Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas

Also, here are more ideas of things you’ve probably already been doing.

Take care of a pet and learn to measure the pet’s food or medicine.
Practice and recite rhymes. Rhymes are not just child’s play but the foundation to hear rhyming and syllables of a word. These skills are the beginning of phonics. Eventually, the sounds will be put to writing to learn spelling. It’s important to rhyme.
Use paint brushes, q tips, sticks, to ‘”write” with.
Bake cookies and learn fractions and the measurements on the cups.
Take a nature walk and look for patterns in nature. For example, look at the repeating patterns of petals and the seeds in the head of a sunflower.
Do crafts and make a clock with moving hands.

Play games like uno and dominoes to learn number and additions.
Use popsicle sticks and glue on 10 beans and use as a counter for 10s, 20s, and etc.
Use these fun rock crayons which encourage the correct grip prior to holding a pencil.

Moreover, as you can see all of this can be done without worksheets. Puzzles, play props, and play-doh should still be part of kindergarten.

Do not give up what you’ve done for the first five years of your child’s life. Learning doesn’t always have to be divided into subjects.

Finally, if you need a curriculum, remember to use it as a framework, but do not make it the ultimate way a child learns.

What things are you naturally doing with your kindergartner each day where you’re blending learning and living?

Other Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Resources

BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)

July 14, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have rounded up the best free kindergarten homeschool curriculum with a gentle approach for kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

Too, kindergarten curriculum is not a must have at this age. I know that is not the answer some parents want to hear. It wasn’t for me either when I started.

However, after having three homeschooled grads and mentoring Mr. MunchKing right now, I know a gentle start is best.

BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)

Whenever did we adopt the thinking in education that a separation from life skills at this age or any age takes second position to formal curriculum?

It should not.

Up until this time, you’ve taught your child a language, potty-trained him, and are now teaching him about the world around him in a natural way.

Continue to be the best first and only teacher of what is important all the way to adulthood.

Besides, free homeschool curriculum or purchased curriculum should always take a backseat to life skills and the maturity of your child.

In addition, you may not need to spend a lot of money in kindergarten.

There are many reasons for choosing free kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

How to Use the Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum List

For example, because Kindergarten should be play-based spend more of your budget on games, science kits, and craft supplies.

This is not just idle play, but learning through pretend play and hands-on discovery is how children learn best.

Playing fosters creativity which lasts a child’s whole learning journey.

Don’t stifle it by using too much formal curriculum.

In addition, I have a few links for crafts of things you have around the house.

Also I have a Homeschool Kickstarter online self-paced course for first-time homeschoolers.

If you have several children after your kindergarten aged child, then it’s worth the time to both create and maybe buy manipulatives to use.

Again, save some of the budget to use for books, learning toys, items to strengthen fine motor and science kits.

Look at my post 18 Amazing Kids Subscription Boxes to Try Right Now.

Next, there are a few more ways you can utilize free homeschool curriculum.

How to Expand on the Kindergarten Curriculum List

For instance, not all kindergarten aged children are on the same level, but they all learn the same way.

Think about that for a minute.

In kindergarten it’s all within the range of normal for children to still be learning letter sounds to reading beginner chapter books. And some are even reading higher level books.

However, what makes it hard at this age is presenting skills in a fun way or play-based.

As I mentioned, during the preschool to kindergarten years all children learn the same way — play, discovery, movement, music, art, hand-crafts, and interaction with a loving caring adult.

So, when you use free curriculum, you can gauge the follow skill levels:

Since children have better fine motor coordination closer to first grade, you want to continue to see improvement through crafts NOT writing.
Using the free phonics and reading literature, gauge your child’s reading level.
And use the math and phonics to evaluate your child’s familiarity with numbers and sounds.

All the years I’ve used free curriculum, it helped me to prep each of my sons for a more formal first grade or even the next year.

Whether you use free curriculum for review or to lay a strong foundation, you will need to plan.

Read here about how I created A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner.

Beautiful and Flexible Early Learner Homeschool Planner
$7.25 Add to cart

You’ll love my Early Learner Homeschool Planner.

Early Learner Homeschool Resources

Look at these other tips for teaching early learners.

As Einstein said, Imagination is more important than knowledge.

And the best part of teaching the kindergarten years doesn’t happen with curriculum.

Reading to your child, playing with him, taking nature walks, making crafts, growing a bean from seed, coloring, dancing, and listening to music are ways you help your child observe the world around him.

How to Get the Free Printable

Now, how to grab the free printable. It’s a subscriber freebies.

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the printable.
3) Last, look for my emails in your inbox as a follower. Glad to have you.

Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

July 5, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Delightful kindergarten homeschool curriculum which promote a love of learning can be hard to find. Find my other tips for Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum on my page.

Not only will I share how to choose a delightful curriculum, but I’ll explain the essentials.

Besides, it’s hard to choose a curriculum if you don’t know what subjects to teach.

Another important part of a kindergarten homeschool curriculum is the hands-on part.

Kindergarten aged children learn best by playing, exploring, and discovering.

Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

When a curriculum for kindergarten is overly focused on academics instead of promoting a love of learning, a child’s start can be stunted.

From the beginning, all children have a love of learning.

So, it’s important that whatever resource you use to teach your kindergartener that it will continue to nurture the love for learning.

First, what is a delightful kindergarten?

Appreciating how to sort curriculum begins with what you know and don’t know.

Back 20 years or so ago, it was much easier to choose a kindergarten homeschool curriculum because educators mostly agreed that children should play learn.

Now with a shift in education, there is a mindset that more lessons, earlier academic lessons, and a busier schedule works. It does not.

Instead, I’ve seen young adults push back at being what they perceived as over achieving or forced learning.

From the parents perspective, they thought they were conscientious educators.

What a horrible mistake to make.

Some of those families who started their homeschool journey when I did have a strained relationship with their young adult kids. How sad.

This may sound dramatic, but the truth of it is from kindergarten, their parents constantly pushed their children. Being overly ambitious bites.

As I mentioned briefly, defining what is delightful will help you to match curriculum with a child’s development.

What is Delight-Directed Study

And the BEST description of what is delight-directed learning still comes from Greg Harris which I read over 25 years ago.

A delight-directed study is like a wonderful fire in the mind of a student. It starts small, but as it grows, it begins to consume vast amounts of information until it bursts into a roaring blaze of insight, understanding, and creativity. It takes on a life of its own. — Gregg Harris

Can you see why what you choose from the beginning matters?

What Kindergarten Subjects to Teach

Now, learning what is foundational to teach and what part of a body of knowledge can wait or added in later matters.

From the meaning of delight-directed study, the essential kindergarten subjects are math and language arts.

Taking this a step further, the components of language arts change from kindergarten to high school.

For example, composition is a component of language arts, but that skill is not necessary until about fourth grade.

Before you can narrow down your choices for language arts, you need to know what is language arts.

Language arts includes all facets of English. Phonics, reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar, composition, penmanship, and even oral speaking are the components.

What are the Kindergarten Language Art Subjects

As you can see a kindergarten homeschool curriculum should not cover unnecessary language arts.

When a program does this, it takes away from the basics.

It is not nurturing lifelong learners by stuffing in academics.

The language arts components to a kindergarten curriculum for homeschool are phonics, reading, penmanship, and oral speaking.

Language arts is learning to both write and speak English.

Let’s not make this any more complicated than it must be.

Also, if you want a big picture of the subjects to teach, you’ll love my online self-paced course, Teaching the Stages of Homeschool.

Best Language Arts Curriculum for Kindergarten

With that being said, look at some of my favorite language arts programs for kindergarten.

I have listed both all-in-one which means all subjects are purchased together and separate components.

Moreover, I have listed a variety of the best language arts curriculum for kindergarten because you need to decide what are you needs this year.

For example, if you’re just teaching one or two children you can hand pick a phonics and reading program.

If you have a sweet handful of younger learners where you’re outnumbered, you may want to go with something put together already.

The Good and the Beautiful.
Rod and Staff.
Moving Beyond the Page
And one of my VERY favorites is Five in a Row because it’s literature based.

However, the best part of homeschooling Kindergarten is when you can hand pick each component.

There are so many wonderful resources now in the homeschool world which benefit your kids.

Best Language Art Separate Components

Learning through nature, hands-on games, and interactive content are some of my favorite ways.

Whether you’re teaching kindergartener handwriting (hopefully not too much) or you want to teach them to read, you’ll love these resources.

All About Reading is fun, thorough and hands on. In addition, when your child needs to learn spelling, it goes naturally into the next language art component.
Foundations (Logic of English) Levels A-D is another wonderful program to begin in kindergarten.

Explode the Code for phonics.
The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading.
Horizons Phonics.
And because I believe in teaching children cursive first instead of unlearning print, my vote is New American Cursive.

Moving on to math, it is the second important component of a kindergarten program.

Homeschool Math Kindergarten and Supplements

Too, math is best learned hands-on with math manipulatives.

Some programs push a child to give up the concrete for the abstract of ideas too soon.

Horizons Math
Mathematical Reasoning

Math U See Primer
Math U See Manipulatives Starter Set and Completer Set with Wooden Storage Boxes

I’m an advocate of keeping math hands-on as long as the child needs it not until a certain grade.

And some days you should skip formal math lessons in favor of a fun game. There is NOT a subject that can’t be taught through either a board game, card game, or a fun app.

Furthermore, the fun subjects are what keeps kindergarten fun.

Although language arts and math are the foundation, science, geography, history, art and nature are just as important.

However, remember to keep it a skinny lady in your teaching so that you stay clearly focused on what is important.

The skinny lady subjects are math and language arts.

So, when you become overwhelmed, focus on those two content areas.

History Curriculum for Kindergarten

Whether you’re looking for geography books for kindergarten, history books for kindergarten or history activities for kindergarten, you’ll love some of these resources.

Look at this United States Coloring Book.
Galloping the Globe and White House Cut & Assemble.
Another series The Magic Tree House has the Magic Tree House Books 21-24 Boxed Set which is American History.
There is a reason this much loved Who was What was Where is series has close to 200 books. It was a hit when this series started.
Little Passports has both World and United States geography. Recommended for ages 3 to 12 years old

The Early American History Jumbo Primary pack for K to third grade introduced my kids to American history makers through beautiful literature as opposed to a boring text book
.The d’Aulaire Biographies. George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Pocahontas
Columbus
Leif the Lucky
Buffalo Bill
Abraham Lincoln

And don’t forget I have these fun Westward Expansion Coloring sheets to engage your young historian.

0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages
$1.75 Add to cart

Science Curriculum for Kindergarten

Finally, here are some fun kindergarten science homeschool curriculum resources.

Before you jump into choosing, you’ll need to decide if you want to use one which is Christian-based, secular, or faith-neutral.

I find that most resources I can tweak to my worldview or what is important to me.

In other words, just be aware but don’t get caught up in too much worldview at this age.

You have much time as your child grows to help him think critically. At this age, let him explore the world around him.

An all-in-one-is BookShark.

The Good and the Beautiful

However, what I like more are science kits and games because science is about doing.

MEL Stem subscription.
Green Kid Crafts for preschool through elementary. Different theme each month to emphasize STEAM. For ages 2 to 10 years old.

Magic School Bus science club through (The Young Scientist Club) has 12 kits with the program and each kit has a 12 page colorful manual. For ages 5 to 12 years old with younger kids needing some supervision.

Finally, remember that forced learning before a child is ready can not only hamper, but harm a child’s ability to love learning.

Kindergarten Curriculum

A child needs to explore in nature, have plenty of time indoors and outdoors to play, and not be rushed when he is intrigued.

It’s not hard to pique curiosity at this age. Follow your child’s lead in what interests him, and he’ll carry that same love of learning all the way to high school and into adulthood.

What do you think? See anything that can help you or do you have questions?

Look at these other posts:

21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

May 1, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When it’s your first time, choosing an all-in-one kindergarten homeschool curriculum can be stressful. New ones are popping up all the time. You’ll love my other tips on kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

So, I’m sharing timeless tips on how to choose an all-in-one kindergarten homeschool curriculum. In addition, kindergarten is not about buying a bunch of worksheets.

21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

You need to know what skills should be learned; better yet you need to be equipped in how best to teach the skills.

Furthermore, drawing on my 25 years of experience, you’ll know what is important to teach now and what can wait.

All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Definition

First, here is the definition of an all-in-one.

An all-in-one kindergarten homeschool curriculum or boxed curriculum means that all your core subjects like the 3 Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic are laid out. Too, content subjects like science and history are included in the program.

Today, all-in-one means online curriculum, physical curriculum, or a mix of both.

In summary, all the basic subjects are covered in a school year which can be anywhere from 160 to 180 lessons.

In addition, most all-in-one providers have teacher’s manuals or teacher notes along with suggested schedules on how to cover the material.

However, what is important at this age is to equally align academics with how a child at this age learns best.

Don’t make my mistake of being too formal because you’re afraid you’ll drop the ball on an important skill.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy Numerous Kindergarten Worksheets

The way children learn best in kindergarten is through play learning.

Conversation, movement, and exploring through personal experience are more ways children learn. Being outside and learning through nature is a natural and organic way to learn.

Not one point in my definition included worksheets.

I’m not saying I’m against the use of worksheets.

However, completing worksheets does not mean your child mastered Kindergarten.

And completing a curriculum does not mean your child fully understands all skills.

Also, look at my tips on my video What Is An All In One Homeschool Curriculum a k a Boxed Curriculum

At the Kindergarten level, you’re not looking for your child to master skills.

Your goal is to lay a strong foundation with purpose.

Because children are learning with every breath they take, you build a master learner by recognizing their development.

This means your teaching should align with your child’s development. Would you force a six-year-old to drive?

Ludicrous you say. I know, but that is the exact mindset of pushing beyond development that some parents have.

6 Reasons to Use An All-in-One Kindergarten Boxed Curriculum

With that being said, look at six reasons to use an all-in-one curriculum.

Using a package gives you an idea of how you may or may not want to lay out your day.
Especially when I had all younger children, my time to prep lessons plans was almost non-existent. A laid-out framework was sanity-saving for me.
When it’s your first child, you may want the reassurance that you’re doing enough for the day.
If you live in a state which requires record keeping, boxed curriculum can help you meet the requirements.
On top of that, some all-in-one teacher’s manuals are exceptional with background information. Having teaching tips and background information at your fingertips saves time.
Lastly, I learned from an all-in-one a pattern for teaching. A pattern is something you repeat over. Learning to follow a pattern when you’re new to homeschooling catapults your teaching experience.

Next, you also need to know how to NOT use an all-in-one curriculum.

Like any tool in the world, you need to know how to use an all-in-one kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

5 Ways How to NOT Use An All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum

Do not use a curriculum which does not align with your goals. Like I mentioned at the outset, there is an explosion of public-school minded advocates entering the homeschool world. We welcome them, but the public-school approach and homeschool approach are two completely different approaches.
Tweak EACH day’s lesson to fit YOUR child. If your child needs to move, stop and MOVE. Or better yet, stop the lesson and do something outside or play.
Forcing your child to sit for long periods signals to me that a curriculum is trying to teach robots. Children learn in spurts and NOT all learning occurs while a child is sitting. The lesson plan should fit the age of the child.
Another problem is thinking you must do EVERY lesson. You do not. There is NOTHING MIRACULOUS about forcing your child to complete everything. On the other hand, trust your intuition. Skip lessons as needed and remember ALL curriculum is a framework, not the exact.
Choosing a teacher’s manual that is not comprehensive is another mistake. Any company can provide a glorified answer key. Narrow down your choices by asking questions on what kind of information is included in the teacher’s manual. Ask about teaching tips, schedule suggestions, and other ways their teacher’s manual is of value.
Foremost, do NOT rely on the curriculum to teach. Curriculum doesn’t teach anything, you do. Through everyday conversations with you is how your child learns.

Equally important before you choose an all-in-one kindergarten curriculum is knowing the skills of math and language arts need consistent teaching.

Teach the Skills Subjects First Using Content Subjects

The fun subjects like science, history, geography, music, nature, and hands-on crafts are the vehicles used to learn math and language arts.

An example of how you mix living and learning without worksheets during the natural flow of your day is below:

Reading – You read aloud to your child or have them listen to an audio book.
Math – Bake cookies and learn measurements. Learn weights and understand dollars and cents while at the grocery store.
Geography – Understand what we do at the post office by visiting it and explain who are folks in the community we call for help.
History – Stories about famous Americans can be read together or build the pyramids made by ancient Egyptians.
Writing – Copy a beautiful poem for handwriting. Then, have your child dip his finger in chocolate paint and write on a cookie sheet. A bit of finger licking allowed.
Science – Any explosion is an awe factor of any kid. So, build a volcano and explode it. Take a simple nature walk or have your child explore his backyard to collect and identify his collection.
Art – Even the youngest child appreciates art. A trip to the museum fosters the love of beautiful art pieces. Or, a game like Professor Noggin’s History of Art Trivia Card Game piques interest in art in a fun way.

21 All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Finally, look at these twenty-one providers.

Kindergarten Fun Supplements

Adding fun pages can be part of your program, but not the framework. I love books like

Evan Moore Skill Sharpeners,
Kindergarten Big Fun Workbook (Highlights Big Fun Activity Workbooks),
DK Workbooks like for Science and Geography are gorgeous, and then my very favorite is Five in A Row to do unit studies. FIAR is not listed as all in one because you have to add phonics and math.

What do you think? Have any questions on some of these?

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