Homeschool Science for Grades 3–5: 11 Units on Life, Earth and Physics
For a homeschool science curriculum in Grades 3–5 that a parent can teach without a science background, the Elementary Science Curriculum is a solid choice: eleven units on water, weather, forests, meadows, birds, the skeleton, circuits, forces, and light and shadow. It is meant for families who want a year of hands-on science. Note that it is a download of lessons and pages; no lab kit comes with it.
Browse the 11 science unitsThe Elementary Science Curriculum ($109.99) bundles 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 bird units. Bought one at a time the units cost $228.62. It is a digital download of teaching materials; it does not include lab kits or supplies.
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
What makes science the subject homeschool parents put off
Reading and math tend to happen every day at a homeschool table. Science is the subject that slides. Part of the reason is preparation: a good elementary science lesson needs a question, something to observe or try, a way to record it, and an explanation the parent can give with confidence. Many boxed programs answer this by shipping a kit, which helps until the kit runs out or the topics do not match the season. Another common problem is balance. It is easy to spend months on animals because the child loves them and never get to electricity, forces or light. A third issue is age spread. A third grader and a fifth grader at the same table need the same topic at different depths, and a parent rarely has time to write two versions. For Grades 3–5, what most families need is a set of units that covers life, earth and physical science, tells the parent what to do in each lesson, and leaves room to use what is already in the kitchen, garden or backyard.
Why it fits
Why these eleven units work at a homeschool table
The topics are ones a child can observe outdoors or at home, which suits learning outside a classroom.
- Weather, the water cycle and forest ecosystems give earth and life science you can watch outside.
- Meadows, Flowers & Pollination fits spring and summer, when there is something blooming to look at.
- Three bird units cover traits, nests and migration, and protecting birds, all observable from a window.
- Simple Electric Circuits, Forces & Motion, and Light, Shadow & Penumbra add the physical science strand.
- The Skeleton in Motion lets a child study the human body using their own movements.
- All eleven units sit in one download, so a parent can plan by season rather than by book.
Getting started
One way to spread the units over a school year
This seasonal order is only a suggestion. Families following a different calendar or a child's strong interest can reorder freely.
- Fall: forest and bird migrationStart with Explore a Forest Ecosystem and Birds Through the Year while leaves fall and birds move. A walk to a park or wooded area gives the units a real setting.
- Early winter: weather and waterTeach Observing & Understanding Weather and Water & the Water Cycle. A simple daily weather log kept on the fridge is a household-level suggestion that keeps the topic alive for weeks.
- Deep winter: indoor physical scienceMove indoors for Simple Electric Circuits, Forces & Motion, and Light, Shadow & Penumbra. You will need to source any batteries, bulbs or flashlights yourself; none are included.
- Spring: body and birdsUse The Skeleton in Motion, then What Is a Bird? Traits, Feathers & Beaks. Spring nesting season makes beaks and feathers easier to spot outside.
- Late spring: meadows and protectionClose the year with Meadows, Flowers & Pollination and Protecting Birds: Habitats, Conservation & Watching. Both connect well to time spent in a garden or local green space.
What to buy
What to buy for your family
If science is the gap, the Elementary Science Curriculum ($109.99, units bought separately $228.62) is the main purchase. Families who also want art and music lessons for the same ages can add the Elementary Art & Music Units Bundle ($74.99, parts $124.95) with rhythm, singing, instruments, color mixing and printing. If you would rather have one bundle that touches many subjects lightly, the Complete Learning Books Bundle ($99.90, Grades 3–6) holds ten units across grammar, math, science, history, ESL, art and music. An older sibling in Grades 8–12 can use the Environmental Science Units Bundle ($69.99) on climate, ecosystems and resources.
Honest limits
Practical limits before you order
No lab kit, batteries, magnifiers or other supplies come with the download. Any hands-on materials are your responsibility, and household items are only one possible approach. The units are not written for any state's science standards and contain no state-specific content. If your state's homeschool law asks for certain subjects or records, check the current rules with the state or a homeschool legal resource; this page cannot give legal advice. Families using an ESA or scholarship should confirm the program's rules and vendor list first. The licence is for your own family. If it is not right for you, exchange it within 7 days for store credit.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does this satisfy my state's homeschool science requirement or standards?
We cannot say that it does. The curriculum is not aligned with, approved by or written for any state, and it has no state-specific content. Homeschool rules on subjects and records differ by state. Read your state's current law or ask a homeschool legal resource, then compare the eleven unit topics with what is expected.
Do I need to buy a lab kit?
No kit comes with it, and none is sold with it. The units are teaching materials. For the hands-on parts, many families use what they already have at home or outdoors, but that is a suggestion, not a promise that every activity works with household items. Read each unit before you shop for anything.
Can my third and fifth grader do it together?
Teaching siblings together on one topic is a common homeschool approach, and the bundle covers the whole Grades 3–5 band. You will likely expect more detail and longer written answers from the older child. Check each unit to decide how to split tasks between them.
Is it really enough for a full year?
The bundle is described as suited to families who want a full year of hands-on science across life, earth and physical science. How long it lasts depends on how many days a week you teach science and how much outdoor observation you add. Look at the units before setting a calendar.
Can I pay with ESA or scholarship funds?
Teach Lessons does not claim to be an approved vendor for any ESA or scholarship program. Before buying, check your program's rules and its vendor list, or ask the program office directly whether a digital science curriculum from this store can be paid for or reimbursed.
How do I get the units?
All eleven units are a digital download. You receive a link by email right after purchase, and the files also stay in your customer account under Orders. Print what you need for each unit as you go, rather than everything at the start of the year.
Plan this year's science in one sitting
Open the curriculum page to see all eleven units and sketch your seasons before the next term starts.
Browse the 11 science units