Discover the beauty of science and nature through living books, inspiring curiosity, deepening understanding, and nurturing a love for God's creation.

Jumpstart Guide: Where to Begin

Do you want to offer a Living Science Curriculum to your children, but you need to know where to begin? This is the right place for you!

My Student is in Form 1 (Grades 1-3)

In Form 1, the students’ science is all nature study. The study of formal science, including chemistry and physics, must wait until Form 2. For now, understand that “out-of-door nature-study lays the foundation for science” (Charlotte Mason, 3/281) and is therefore an essential part of their science education. Nature study includes taking nature walks, keeping a nature notebook, reading nature lore, doing special studies, and parent-led object lessons.

  1. Prepare a school schedule that allows for THREE science lesson per week, (10 min. x 3) and plan for ONE afternoon nature walk per week.
  2. Choose TWO nature lore books per term, including one Arabella Buckley book each term. I suggest Plant Life in Field & Garden by Arabella Buckley (omit chs. 8, 10-13) and Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book I (first third only), to start with.
  3. Purchase the supplies to keep a nature notebook. (Learn how here) Students should make written entries almost daily and try to make a brushdrawing weekly. 
  4. Select TWO or THREE special study topics. (Suggested rotation here) Each week, during your nature walk, do an object lesson with your child. (Instructions here) Alternatively, the third science lesson each week can be used to read a portion of a book about their special study topic or to do an object lesson inside.

My Student is in Form 2 (Grades 4-6)

Students in Form 2 begin a study of formal science, including chemistry, physics, and the earth sciences. The primary focus is to explore the beauty of science and begin to see how it impacts daily life. They will also continue nature study, including reading nature lore books during morning lessons, and taking nature walks, making special studies, and keeping a nature journal in the afternoons.

  1. Prepare a school schedule that allows for THREE science lesson per week, (20 min. x 2 and 30 min. x 1) and plan for ONE afternoon nature walk per week.
  2. Choose ONE science subject per term, such as astronomy, weather, and physics-magnets and purchase either the digital guide at SMH or the paperback guide on Amazon. (Options here) There are some suggestions in the “notes” section to help you choose which to begin with.
  3. Gather all supplies needed for the science experiments throughout the term and put them in a box or tub for easy access. Each science guide includes a supply list.
  4. Choose ONE nature lore book that your student will continue for all three years of Form 2. I suggest The Story Book of Science by Jean Henri Fabre. This is assigned through the science guide. The guide also include alternative options in case your child has already read The Story Book of Science.
  5. Purchase the supplies to keep a nature notebook. (Learn how here) Students should make written entries almost daily and try to make a brushdrawing weekly. 
  6. Select TWO or THREE special study topics. (Suggested rotation here) Each week, during your nature walk, do an object lesson with your child. (Instructions here) This is assigned in the science guide.

My Student is in Form 3 (Grades 7-8)

Students in Form 3 (grades 7-8) continue nature study, but now they must conduct all associated activities during their afternoon occupations. They will also continue studying nature lore (with one possible twist noted below). Also, their formal science study with appropriate experiments will now include a stream of botany.

  1. Prepare a school schedule that allows for FOUR science lesson per week, (40 min. x 3 and 45 min. x 1) and plan for ONE afternoon nature walk per week.
  2. Choose ONE science subject per term, such as chemistry, weather, and physics and purchase either the digital guide at SMH or the paperback guide on Amazon. (Options here) There are some suggestions in the “notes” section to help you choose which to begin with. Complete one subject per term, by assigning three lessons per week.
  3. Choose ONE biology subject — either biology or botany. Assign one lesson per week. It will take all year to complete this.
  4. Gather all supplies needed for the science experiments throughout the term and put them in a box or tub for easy access. Each science guide includes a complete supply list.
  5. Purchase the a science notebook, which your child will use for all subjects throughout Forms 3-6. Preferably a hard bound sketchbook 8″ x 10″ of good quality.
  6. Purchase the supplies to keep a nature notebook. (Learn how here) Students should make written entries almost daily and try to make a brushdrawing weekly. 
  7. Select TWO or THREE special study topics. (Suggested rotation here) If your child is new to nature study, then each week, during your nature walk, do an object lesson with your child. (Instructions here)

My Student is in Forms 4-6 (High School)

In high school (grades 9-12), students will continue focusing on biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science each year. Again families may choose to explore a different topic each day or study biology one day a week and one other subject on three additional days. Either way, students will complete 33 lessons in each subject yearly. Three terms-worth of material in each category equals a science lab credit for transcripts. The primary focus at this level is to consider how science impacts our world locally and globally. Students will become scientifically literate citizens, comfortable discussing hot topics, with a solid foundation in this ever-advancing subject. Nature study is continued, with a greater focus on ecology and biomes.

  1. Prepare a school schedule that allows for FOUR science lesson per week, (40 min. x 3 and 45 min. x 1) and plan for ONE afternoon nature walk per week.
  2. Choose ONE science subject per term, such as chemistry, physics, and an earth science topic (weather, geology, astrophysics) and purchase either the digital guides at SMH or the paperback guides on Amazon. (Options here) There are some suggestions in the “notes” section to help you choose which to begin with. Complete one subject per term, by assigning three lessons per week.
  3. Choose ONE biology subject (Some notes about your options.) Assign one lesson per week. It will take all year to complete this.
  4. Learn more about assigning credit on a transcript or check out the FREE High School Transcript Planner I prepared for A Delectable Education.
  5. Gather all supplies needed for the science experiments throughout the term and put them in a box or tub for easy access. Each science guide includes a complete supply list.
  6. Purchase the a science notebook, which your child will use for all subjects throughout Forms 3-6. Preferably a hard bound sketchbook 8″ x 10″ of good quality.
  7. Purchase the supplies to keep a nature notebook. (Learn how here) Students should make written entries almost daily and try to make a brushdrawing weekly. 
  8. Select TWO or THREE special study topics. (Suggested rotation here) 
  9. If your child is new to nature study, then each week, during your nature walk, do an object lesson with your child. (Instructions here)