California Homeschool Science Curriculum for Grades 3–5: 11 Ready Units
For California homeschool families with children in Grades 3–5, the Elementary Science Curriculum is a $109.99 set of eleven units across life, earth and physical science: the water cycle, weather, forest and meadow life, circuits, forces and motion, light and shadow, the skeleton and birds. It can be one part of the courses of study you choose. It is not tied to California's science standards or to any homeschool option's rules.
See the 11 science unitsThe Elementary Science Curriculum costs $109.99 (parts $228.62) for eleven Grades 3–5 units: Water & the Water Cycle, Explore a Forest Ecosystem, Explore Simple Electric Circuits, Observing & Understanding Weather, Meadows, Flowers & Pollination, Exploring Forces & Motion, The Skeleton in Motion, Light, Shadow & Penumbra, and three units on birds. It gives a California homeschool a ready science strand. It is not aligned to CA NGSS and is not approved for any program.
The resources
Elementary Science Curriculum, Grades 3–5
11 resources in one download: $109.99 instead of $228.62 bought separately.
Start with the first resource; the others are optional add-ons. Open any cover for the full contents and price.
Elementary Science Curriculum | Life, Earth & Physical Science | 11 Units | Grades 3–5
Elementary Art & Music Units Bundle | Rhythm, Singing, Instruments, Color Mixing & Printing | 5 Units | Grades 3–5
Complete Learning Books Bundle | 10 Units: Grammar, Math, Science, History, ESL, Art & Music | Grades 3–6
Environmental Science Units Bundle | Climate Change, Climate Data, Ecosystems, Resources & Climate Ethics | 5 Units | Grades 8–12
The real problem
How California homeschooling works, and where science fits
The California Department of Education lists several ways to educate a child outside a regular classroom: a public charter school, a public school independent study program, an existing private school offering online learning or independent study, a home-based private school, or a credentialed tutor. Each option has its own rules, and only some leave the curriculum entirely to the parent. Families who run a home-based private school file a private school affidavit each year under Education Code 33190 and are not required to report to their school district. Under the same section they keep an attendance register, a record of the courses of study offered, and the names, addresses and qualifications of faculty. Instruction must be in English and in the branches of study taught in public schools (EC 48222), and the state's courses of study for Grades 1–6 are set out in EC 51210. Parents choose and supply all materials. This is a short summary, not legal advice; check current law with the state or a homeschool legal resource. Science is where many families stall. It needs explanations a parent may not remember from school and activities that go beyond reading a page, and planning a year of it without a clear topic list is the hardest part.
Why it fits
What the eleven units give a home school
The set spreads across life, earth and physical science, so a year of science does not lean on one area.
- Water cycle and weather units form an earth science strand you can tie to daily observation outside.
- Forest ecosystems and meadows, flowers and pollination take life science into any park or backyard.
- Simple circuits, forces and motion, and light and shadow cover physical science with hands-on activities.
- Three bird units, from traits and beaks to conservation, can run across the seasons as one long study.
- The named unit list makes it easy to write down the science topics in your courses of study.
Getting started
A suggested year with siblings in Grades 3 to 5
Science works well taught to all the children together, with each one doing the tasks at their own level. Adjust to your calendar.
- Fall: weather and waterStart with Observing & Understanding Weather and keep a simple weather log through the season. Follow with Water & the Water Cycle so the log connects to rain, evaporation and clouds.
- Late fall: begin the birdsTeach What Is a Bird? Traits, Feathers & Beaks, then return to Birds Through the Year: Nests, Migration & Winter as the seasons change. Children can note which birds they see near home.
- Winter: physical science indoorsTeach Exploring Forces & Motion, Explore Simple Electric Circuits and Light, Shadow & Penumbra on rainy days. Read each unit ahead so you can gather whatever simple materials its activities call for.
- Spring: living things outdoorsMove outside for Meadows, Flowers & Pollination and Explore a Forest Ecosystem. A nearby park, trail or garden is enough for the observation work in both units.
- Year end: body and conservationClose with The Skeleton in Motion and Protecting Birds: Habitats, Conservation & Watching. Keep finished worksheets in a folder by unit if you want a record of the year's science.
What to buy
Picking the right set for your family
If science is the gap in your plan, the Elementary Science Curriculum at $109.99 (parts $228.62) is the one to buy. For a broader mix, the Complete Learning Books Bundle ($99.90) gives ten units across grammar, math, science, history, ESL, art and music for Grades 3–6, with science as one subject among several. The Elementary Art & Music Units Bundle ($74.99, parts $124.95) adds rhythm, singing, instruments, color mixing and printing. Older siblings in Grades 8–12 can use the Environmental Science Units Bundle ($69.99, parts $124.95) on climate change, climate data and ecosystems.
Honest limits
Limits worth knowing
This is a general elementary science set. It is not written for California, is not aligned with CA NGSS, and has no approval from the state or from any charter, independent study program or private school. Whether it belongs in the courses of study you offer is your decision, and if you homeschool through a charter or independent study program, ask what purchases it allows. No lab kits, electrical parts or other supplies are included; you gather simple materials yourself. If the set is not a fit, you can exchange it for store credit of equal value within 7 days.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does this meet California homeschool requirements for science?
No product can promise that, and this one is not approved by the state or by any homeschool program. California requires instruction in the branches of study taught in public schools, and home-based private schools keep a record of their courses of study. You decide whether this set belongs in yours; check current law with the state or a homeschool legal resource.
Is it aligned to California NGSS?
No. The units were not written to the California Next Generation Science Standards adopted in 2013 and are not aligned with them. They cover common elementary topics in life, earth and physical science, so you can compare them with CA NGSS for Grades 3–5 yourself if that matters for your plan.
I homeschool through a charter. Can I buy this?
That depends on your charter. Charter schools and independent study programs may have their own rules about what families can purchase and from whom. Teach Lessons does not claim to be an approved vendor of any program, so ask your charter school or program what it allows before you place an order.
Do I need a science background to teach it?
No special background is assumed. The units are planned, so you read the material, run the activities and check work with the answer keys. Read each unit a few days ahead so you can gather materials, look up anything unfamiliar and try any activity once yourself.
Can children of different ages do it together?
Yes. The set is written for Grades 3–5, and the topics lend themselves to siblings working side by side. A younger child can handle the simpler part of an activity while an older one records observations and answers the harder questions, so one lesson serves everyone at the table.
What do I receive?
Eleven units as digital downloads, sent by email right after purchase and saved in your account under Orders. Materials are worksheets, activities and answer keys for print or screen. Print one unit at a time rather than the whole year at once, and reuse the files for a younger sibling later.
A science year you can start this week
Open the product page to see all eleven units and pick where your family begins.
See the 11 science units