Science Resources
The following list is a compilation of materials recommended by
homeschoolers in our group. The list is far from complete; local libraries seem to have great
science books on every subject imaginable. Other sources for good science materials include
the Boston Museum of Science, the Montshire Museum, the Christa McAuliffe
Planetarium, the Natural Science Museum of New Hampshire, websites (too many to
list here!) and Rebecca Rupp’s books, Home Learning Year by Year and The
Complete Home Learning Source Book.
Wondering where to buy your books and other curriculum materials? Click here
for a list of vendors and other sources.
Most of the resources listed here are for elementary and middle-school age
children. For high school (and beyond), check out Life
Science, Cell Biology, and Genetics links. Suggestions for Chemistry and
Physics may be added later.
Books: General Science
- A Science Odyssey: 100 Years of Discovery
by Charles Flowers (This is
a great book, sometimes available among the clearance books at Borders in
Concord for $2.99!)
The New Way Things Work by David Macauley
The Magic School Bus Series by Joanna Cole (and the associated software)
Odyssey: Adventures in Science, and National Geographic World magazines
Oak Meadow Life Science, Oak Meadow Earth Science, and Oak
Meadow Physical Science—Science curriculum for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
See the Oak Meadow website for more information.
Science in a Bag by Sandra Markle
Step Into Science series by Barbara Taylor (Random House)
Accidents May Happen: Fifty Inventions Discovered by Mistake by
Charlotte Foltz Jones—Funny book, great format, with an important message to
budding scientists: it’s OK to make mistakes!
Fingerprints and Talking Bones: How Real-Life Crimes Are Solved by
Charlotte Foltz Jones
Time-Life Books: A Child’s First Library of Learning, Science Starter (question
and answer format)
Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of
Learning by Karen Andreola. (Might offend some who do not share the author’s
conservative point of view.)
Eagle’s Wings Considering God’s Creation: A Creative, Biblical Approach
to Natural Science by Susan Mortimer (complete Christian science
curriculum; $30 for the teacher’s manual, student book, and cassette tape thru
Christian Book Distributors)
Science
for Families (a list of science books)
Science Experiments
- The Exploratium’s book, The Science Explorer Out and About
- Science for Fun Experiments by Gary Gibson
- Janice Van Cleave’s 202 Oozing, Bubbling, Dripping and Bouncing
Experiments
(includes a recipe for flubber!) and many other books by
Janice Van Cleave.
- Bet You Can’t: Science Impossibilities to Fool You
by Vicki Cobb and
Kathy Darling
- Wild Goose science kits and
supplies (Slimy Chemistry, Kitchen Chemistry, Ooh Aah Chemistry…) and the
book, Science Fair Survival Techniques. If you can’t locate Wild
Goose supplies in a local science store, try contacting them directly at
888-621-1040.
Nature Studies
- American Field
Guide---"Immerse yourself in the great
outdoors without ever leaving your desk. Tap
into the sights and sounds from a wide variety of environments throughout
America. We've collected over 1400 video clips that enable you to experience
America's wilderness firsthand - simply browse the topics or search for your
particular interests"
- The Living Earth
and other books by Eleonore Schmid
- Pagoo
and other books by Holling Clancy Holling
- All Around Us
by Wilbur Beauchamp—An old publication from Scott
Foresman and Co. which might be available in some libraries. This is a wordless
book with gentle pictures showing the life cycles of plants, butterflies, frogs
and other things in nature as well.
- Earth, Water, Fire and Air
by Walter Kraul (a Waldorf book, special
order ISBN 0-86315-090-X)
- Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots
by Sharon Lovejoy
- Crinkleroot’s Guide to Animal Habitats
and other books by Jim Arnosky
- And So They Build
and Somewhere Today by Bert Kitchen
- The View from the Oak: The Private Worlds of Other Creatures
by Judith
and Herbert Kohl
- My Family and Other Animals
and other books by naturalist Gerald Durrell
- Sharing Nature with Children
by Joseph Cornell
- The Sense of Wonder
by Rachel Carson
- The Glow Sky Book
by Illuminations
- Botany for All Ages: Discovering Nature Through Activities Using Plants
by
Jorie Hunken (available from Pine Tree Garden Seeds)
- Talking to Fireflies, Shrinking the Moon: Nature Activities for All Ages
by Edward Duensing
- A Naturalist’s Teaching Manual: Activities and Ideas for Teaching Natural
History
by Jennifer Bauer Wilson
- Native American Gardening: Stories, Projects, and Recipes for Families
by
Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac (includes directions for how to make gourd
rattles, birdhouses, corn husk dolls and recipes for corn, beans, and squash)
- The Magpie’s Nest
by Joanna Foster
- Eyewitness Books series (Bird, Fish, Cat, Dog, Horse, Insect, Shell,
Skeleton, etc.)
- The Kingfisher Young People’s Book of Oceans
- Dive! My Adventures in the Deep Frontier
by Sylvia Earlel
Health and the Human Body
by Patricia Carratello. Trace the outline of
your child’s body and then use these patterns to add in all the body parts.
Available from: www.teachercreated.com (Teacher Created Materials) or 6421
Industry Way, Westminster, CA, 92683.
Brain Surgery for Beginners and Other Major Operations for Minors: A
Scalpel-Free Guide to Your Insides by Steve Parker
Dr. Dog and Mommy Laid an Egg by Babette Cole (not for those who
might be shocked by the funny but rather crude cartoons)
Reader’s Digest: How the Body Works by Steve Parker
The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls by Valorie Lee
Schaefer
Science Websites
There are excellent sites available on any topic that interests you, but here
are a few good ones to get you started:
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