Science Lessons & Investigations

Name: Science Lessons & Investigations
Brand: Evan-Moor Educational Publishers

by Evan-Moor Educational Publishers

ScienceGrades 1–6

Science Lessons & Investigations: NGSS-Aligned Workbook Series

Science Lessons & Investigations is a workbook-based science curriculum for grades 1-6 that covers Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science through reading passages, hands-on explorations, and vocabulary activities. The curriculum is designed as teacher-directed instruction with structured activities that can serve as either a primary science resource for younger grades or a supplemental component for older students.

Best for

Homeschool families and teachers seeking an NGSS-aligned, teacher-directed science curriculum that balances content reading with hands-on activities, particularly effective for grades 1-3 as a primary resource

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 2 neutral

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum provides substantive informational content through reading passages that cover core science concepts across three major domains.

Review notes 'the information in the lessons is substantive' and each book contains 'more than 200 pages' with 12-14 lessons covering Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science

Ngss AlignmentStrength

The curriculum explicitly aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and organizes content around the three major science disciplines.

Review states 'lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards' and content is organized into 'Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science' units

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum is designed for teacher-led instruction with structured lessons that include discussion questions and guided exploration.

Lessons include 'Spark Questions' for teacher discussion, are 'intended to be presented by a teacher who discusses the questions,' and teachers assist 'with explorations or optional projects'

Hands On IntegrationStrength

The curriculum integrates hands-on explorations with direct instruction through reading, combining observations and experiments with concept explanations.

Lessons include 'pages for students to read, do explorations' and 'explorations involve both observations and experiments' that are 'interspersed' with reading material and questions

Scientific VocabularyStrength

The curriculum emphasizes vocabulary instruction with explicit teaching and reinforcement activities throughout each lesson.

Vocabulary terms are 'put in bold' in text, grades 1-2 'teach the vocabulary at the beginning of lessons,' and books include 'vocabulary and comprehension activities' with dedicated vocabulary pages

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes teacher guidance within the books but lacks comprehensive professional development materials or detailed pedagogical support.

Books 'serve both students and teachers' and include answer keys, but no mention of teacher background information, common misconceptions guidance, or extensive pedagogical training materials

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes comprehension questions and analysis activities but lacks systematic retrieval practice or spaced review components.

Books include 'questions that follow help students process and analyze what they have read' and 'an answer key for vocabulary and comprehension activities' but no mention of systematic review or retrieval exercises

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com