Homeschooling in Washington: An Elementary Science Curriculum, Grades 3–5
Homeschooling in Washington: An Elementary Science Curriculum, Grades 3–5
Science is one of the eleven subjects Washington's home-based instruction law lists, and for children in Grades 3–5 the Elementary Science Curriculum is one practical way to teach it. For $109.99 you get 11 units across life, earth and physical science, from the water cycle and simple circuits to birds and the skeleton. Confirming that your overall plan follows the law stays with you.
See the 11 science unitsThe Elementary Science Curriculum ($109.99) bundles 11 units for Grades 3–5: water and the water cycle, a forest ecosystem, simple electric circuits, weather, meadows and pollination, forces and motion, the skeleton, light and shadow, and three units on birds. Its description names homeschool families who want a full year of hands-on science. For a Washington home-based instruction plan it can be your science source, but it does not settle your obligations under RCW 28A.225.010.
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 Washington frames home-based instruction
In Washington, home-based instruction is one way to meet compulsory attendance under RCW 28A.225.010. The law lists eleven subjects to teach: occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and appreciation of art and music. Beyond that list, most instructional decisions are left to the parent under RCW 28A.200.020. For children age 8 and older, you file a declaration of intent with your local school district every year by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of a school term. A parent qualifies in one of four ways: supervision by a certificated teacher, 45 college credits, completing a parent qualifying course, or being deemed qualified by the district superintendent. Each year the child takes a standardized achievement test or is assessed by a certificated educator, and the parent keeps the records. This is a brief summary, not legal advice; check current law with the state or a homeschool legal resource. Science tends to be the subject families find hardest to plan. Reading and math have obvious next steps. Science needs topics in a sensible order, explanations a parent can trust, and activities that go beyond reading a page.
Why it fits
What the eleven units give a homeschool family
The units spread across all three branches of elementary science, so your year does not lean too heavily on animals or on weather.
- Water and the water cycle, plus weather, give a solid earth science thread through the year.
- Explore Simple Electric Circuits and Exploring Forces & Motion cover the physical science side.
- Light, Shadow & Penumbra adds a physics topic children can test with a flashlight you provide.
- Forest ecosystems, meadows and pollination fit Washington family walks in woods and fields.
- Three bird units follow traits, nests, migration and conservation, a natural fit for backyard watching.
- The Skeleton in Motion connects science to the health subject on Washington's list.
Getting started
A season-based homeschool year
One way to order the units around the weather outside your window. Swap freely.
- September: start outdoorsBegin with Explore a Forest Ecosystem and Meadows, Flowers & Pollination while plants are still visible. Short walks and notebook sketches turn the units into real observation.
- Autumn: weather and waterTeach Observing & Understanding Weather and Water & the Water Cycle as the rain returns. Children can keep a weather record at home alongside the lessons.
- Winter: indoor physicsMove inside for Explore Simple Electric Circuits, Exploring Forces & Motion and Light, Shadow & Penumbra. You supply any batteries, bulbs or wires; none are included.
- Late winter: the bodyTeach The Skeleton in Motion. It links science with health, two subjects on the state list, and suits a stretch of the year when outdoor work is limited.
- Spring: the bird unitsFinish with What Is a Bird?, Birds Through the Year and Protecting Birds while nesting and migration are happening. Keep finished work in the records you hold as the parent.
What to buy
Science alone, or more of the eleven subjects
For science in Grades 3–5, choose the Elementary Science Curriculum at $109.99; the 11 units cost $228.62 separately. If you also want help with appreciation of art and music, the Elementary Art & Music Units Bundle ($74.99, parts $124.95) covers rhythm, singing, instruments and timbre, color mixing, and patterns and printing. The Complete Learning Books Bundle ($99.90, Grades 3–6) spreads 10 units across grammar, math, science, history, ESL, art and music for a lighter mix. Older siblings in Grade 8 or above can use the Environmental Science Units Bundle ($69.99, parts $124.95) on climate change, climate data and ecosystems.
Honest limits
What to know first
This curriculum is not written for Washington and is not aligned to the state's science learning standards, which are based on the Next Generation Science Standards. It also does not make your home-based instruction plan compliant; the declaration, qualification, annual assessment and records are your responsibility, and current rules should be checked with the state or a homeschool legal resource. No lab kits, batteries or supplies are included; you gather simple materials yourself. The licence covers your own family. If the units do not suit you, exchange them within 7 days for store credit of equal value; there are no cash refunds.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does this curriculum meet Washington's homeschool science requirement?
It does not claim to, and no purchase settles that question. Washington lists science among the eleven subjects for home-based instruction and leaves most choices to the parent. This curriculum can be how you teach science, but it is not aligned to Washington's NGSS-based science standards. Check current law with the state or a homeschool legal resource.
Is it a full year of science?
The product description presents it as a full year of hands-on science for families and teachers, with life, earth and physical science covered. How long it lasts in your home depends on your pace. Spreading 11 units over a school year leaves room for your own outings and projects.
Do I need a science background to teach it?
The units are written as ready teaching material, so a parent without a science degree can read ahead, gather a few household materials, and work through the activities with a child. Keep short notes of what you did each week, because they help when your annual assessment comes around.
Will it help with the annual assessment?
It gives your child steady science learning and work samples you can keep. It is not test preparation. If a certificated educator assesses your child, finished worksheets and observation notes from the units show what was studied. Check what your chosen assessment actually looks at.
Can I teach two children at once?
Yes, as long as both are roughly in Grades 3–5. Siblings can do the same activity together and then complete their own worksheets. A younger child can listen in and draw what they saw, while an older one writes fuller answers and explains the results back to you.
How do I receive it?
It is a digital download. You get the link by email right after purchase, and it also stays in your customer account under Orders if you need it again. Print one unit at a time so the pages stay manageable and you only prepare what the coming weeks need.
Science your children can see out the window
Open the product page to read all 11 unit titles and decide where your family will start.
See the 11 science units