Science Scope

As homeschoolers, we know we should determine our children’s learning styles in order to teach more effectively. Less noted is determining your own teaching style, but it is equally important in designing a curriculum that you will use.

Some parents are most comfortable having lessons written out and scheduled for them; on the other end of the scale are those who like to pull together resources from many different areas. Science Scope, part of the Design-A-Study series by Kathryn Stout, is a book for both types. It is a comprehensive checklist of scientific concepts and objectives for kindergarten through high school.

In only 120 pages, this book outlines the basic areas that your child will need to cover as they progress through their science education. It is arranged by subject. Teaching Tips and Scientific Skills are aimed at the parent in order to familiarize them with the scientific process. The author then addresses Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Technology. Each section is divided into checklists for each age group, so that you can review to make sure you are covering each topic adequately. There is a blank checklist at the back of the book so that you can keep track of the sections you’ve covered.

This is not meant to take the place of a science curriculum, but is a supplement to help you minimize the gaps in your child’s education. It is a quality full-size soft-bound book, with well-arranged chapters. The lack of an index is offset by the comprehensive table of contents.

This book is well-designed for those with no previous scientific training but will also help replace the mental checklists we all keep of our teaching progress. If you’ve ever wondered what you’ve left out, this will help you catch it!