Are you tired of boring science lessons? Homeschooling is a lot more fun when the lessons are exciting which is why modern day homeschoolers are more likely to be drawn towards a science curriculum with engaging, hands-on experiments rather than dull, dry textbooks.
Unfortunately, sometimes science resources that are both fun and educational can be hard to come by. Every year, the online homeschooling forums are filled with new and seasoned homeschoolers alike asking for opinions on one science curriculum or another.
As busy homeschooling moms, we just want a resource that is affordable and easy for us to implement, but still exciting for the kids. Is that really too much to ask?
Not anymore. Not if you know where to look, anyways.
This article was sponsored by BookShark. All opinions will forever remain my own.
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The Importance of a Fun and Engaging Science Curriculum
Why is it important to make science fun for kids?
Your children may not go on to pursue a career in science, but that doesn’t mean the study of it isn’t important for their development. Science is about observation and critical thinking – two skills that are incredibly valuable in everyday life. What’s more, studying science exposes kids to new ideas and concepts.
Whether your kids pursue a career in STEM and the sciences or not, it is important that kids know how to engage in critical thinking and problem solving. Science is all around us and if our kids aren’t taught how to interact with the world around us, they will be lost.
Some homeschooling parents might be worried that making science fun makes it less educational. That is far from the truth. The best way to learn something new is to make it fun and interesting. When lessons are fun and enjoyable for kids, they are more likely to keep your kids engaged and asking for more!
Tell me, what’s more impactful for you – reading a dry scientific study/research paper or watching a funny yet educational series? For most people, fun and engaging is much more impactful and results in much higher retnetion rates than merely reading factual information.
Children are no different. Especially if you have high-energy or special needs kids, encouraging them to learn will having fun will certainly result in a better experience for all.
Why Choose BookShark Science? BookShark Benefits
There are so many science curriculums for homeschoolers available today. These options have a huge range in price point, worldview, learning style, and more. So what draws families to BookShark Science?
BookShark is a highly reputable homeschool curriculum brand that has been serving the homeschooling community for many years. They take a literature-based approach to learning, meaning each lesson you and your kids engage in will include exerpts from beautiful and engaging children’s books.
BookShark science curriculums really take the hard part out of teaching kids science. The experts behind these resources go to a lot of lenghts in order to make things as easy on the parents as possible.
Take a look at some of the measures BookShark goes to to make science easy and fun for everybody:
- Literature Based – Rather than digging through textbooks and workbooks, BookShark takes a literature-based approach. Kids have an easier time engaging when they are exposed to entertaining resources, such as bright and colorful books!
- 4-Day Schedule – If you like following a homeschool schedule that is a bit more relaxed but that also provides some structure and predictability, you’ll be happy to know that all BookShark curriculums follow a 4-day schedule. Feel free to take one day off from your lessons per week, or rush through and finish the whole thing early in the year!
- Secular Worldview – If you’re looking for a science curriculum that is faith-neutral or secular (due to charter school funding or personal reasons) you’ll be happy to know that BookShark takes a faith-neutral/secular approach.
- Engaging, Hands-On Experiments – Each BookShark Science kit includes a whole box filled with all the materials you need for a year’s worth of hands-on experiments. The experiment guide book includes easy-to-follow instructions so all you need to do is supervise and have some fun!
- Done-For-You – BookShark does all the planning and preparations for you. Just open the instructor’s guide, read that day’s assignment, and do the project with your kids. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
- Next Generation Science Standards – Each BookShark Science curriculum follows NGSS meaning these resources are not Common Core.
- Physical or Digital Learning Options – BookShark used to be exclusively a physical curriculum, meaning you had to get the books and the worksheets in order to do any learning. However, beginning in 2021, BookShark has added a virtual option, meaning families who work better online have the option of enjoying BookShark Science resources now, too!
Who is BookShark For?
If you are looking for a science curriculum that is easy to use, intersting for kids, follows a secular worldview, and inclues a year’s worth of hands-on projects and experiments, BookShark Science might be for you!
There is so much to love about BookShark Science. If you’re looking to incorporate more hands-on learning in your homeschool, BookShark Science is one great resource. Science can be fun and easy with the right tools!
A Video Unboxing of BookShark Science Curriculum D
Want a closer look at what’s inside? Here’s our unboxing video of BookShark’s Science D curriculum. See for yourself exactly what this resource includes.
Note: The video is missing the experiments instruction book. Ours was shipped separately and I didn’t realize until after the video was made and we actually tried to do the experiments. But we found it and it’s really well done and easy to follow along with, so that’s great! Everything else in BookShark Science D is included in this video.
Fun and Engaging, Hands-On Experiments
At our house, it doesn’t really count as science unless there were some fun science experiments. We don’t just read books or complete worksheets over here. We much prefer to dive right in, get our hands dirty, and do some actual learning!
That’s part of what we loved about BookShark Science. Our BookShark Science D kit came with a separate box that was exclusively for hands-on science experiments. With the exception of basic household ingredients, this box comes with everything else you need to complete every science project in the BookShark book.
This made life so much easier for me and so much more fun for the kids! We didn’t have to spend time planning or shopping for our experiments. Instead, all we had to do was turn to the appropriate page in the experiments instruction book, pick out the tools we need for each experiments, and let the fun begin!
My 10-year-old was able to complete most of the projects all on her own, which was even better for me. I’m all about letting the kids do most of the work with me just being there to provide a little bit of adult supervision. That’s my kind of experiment.
One of the projects she particularly enjoyed experimenting with was the lesson on birds’ beaks. She had to figure out for herself why different birds have different shaped beaks and what each beak was good for.
The younger kids needed a bit more assistance, but that’s okay. Between myself and the older kids, everybody was able to learn everything they needed while still having a wonderful time. In fact, even after we’ve finished school for the day, I still often have kids coming up to me asking if we can work on more science. They just can’t get enough of these hands-on activities!
Do you want to add some silly projects to your homeschool day without all the stress and hassel of coming up with your own? Order your copy of the BookShark Science curriculum today and get ready for a fun-filled year!
New for 2021 – BookShark Virtual
When you pair BookShark print curriculum with a Virtual seat, parents and students get cool online features like assessment, grading, and accountability—accessible via mobile or desktop!
The best way to understand BookShark Virtual is to try it yourself. The first three weeks of every Virtual course are available for free just like the Instructor’s Guide samples always have been.
Watch the demo videos to get your bearings, and then take it for a spin. Let your child take a peek, too!
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