CurriculumResearcher

Elemental Science Classic Series

ScienceAll Grades

Elemental Science Classic Series: Classical Science with Living Books

Elemental Science Classic Series is a K-8 science curriculum that combines classical education principles with Charlotte Mason methodology, using colorful fact books as spines and emphasizing written work, vocabulary acquisition, and hands-on experiments. The curriculum is organized by classical trivium stages and covers biology, earth science, chemistry, and physics across seven courses designed for two-grade spans.

Best for

Homeschooling families who prefer classical education approaches and want a literature-rich science curriculum with structured writing and hands-on components for grades K-8

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum emphasizes factual knowledge acquisition through spine books and vocabulary work, aligning with classical education's grammar stage focus on content mastery.

Uses fact books from Usborne and DK as spines, requires students to write definitions for vocabulary words, and emphasizes 'acquisition of facts' as noted in the review

Hands On IntegrationStrength

The curriculum integrates hands-on experiments with content learning, providing structured lab experiences that complement the spine book reading.

Review states 'Hands-on learning through science experiments is also built into the ESC series' with experiment instructions in teacher guides and optional experiment kits available

Scientific VocabularyStrength

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

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

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum provides comprehensive teacher guides with scheduling options, discussion questions, and expansion suggestions, though dedicated professional development is not mentioned.

Teacher guides include 'answers keys; scheduling options; additional suggestions for reading, internet research, activities, and experiments' plus discussion questions and experiment expansion ideas

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides structured lesson plans and teacher guides but relies heavily on student reading from spine books rather than explicit teacher instruction.

Teacher guides 'chart out daily lesson plans' and include 'discussion questions' but the approach emphasizes student reading from fact books rather than direct teaching

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes quizzes, reviews, and tests to reinforce learning, though these are described as optional components.

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

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

No specific information provided about NGSS alignment or standards-based design in the available review.

The review does not mention NGSS, state standards, or three-dimensional learning approaches

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

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Key Facts
GradesAll Grades
SubjectScience
PedagogyNot specified
Pricing$10.42 at Amazon.com | $6.43 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $223.01 at Amazon.com | $219.03 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $19.49 at Amazon.com | $5.12 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $25.97 at Amazon.com | $2.98 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $23.99 at Amazon.com | $7.67 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $19.33 at Christianbook.com | $19.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $19.99 at Amazon.com | $13.00 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $15.33 at Christianbook.com | $17.25 at Rainbowresource.com | $7.68 at Amazon.com | $4.00 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $27.98 at Amazon.com | $3.39 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace
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Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy, homeschoolcom, findmyhomeschool