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Standard Physical Science (4th-6th)
$128.95
Our Standard Physical Science course (4th-6th) is presented in a straight forward, easily understood, and hands-on manner. Real life projects built by the student make scientific principles tangible and concrete. Not only do the students learn and retain the information, but they will also find themselves enjoying and succeeding in science.
- All Materials Included
- 7 Projects
- 36 chapters, 3 lessons/week
- Total of 108 lessons, 108 Experiments
- Recommended for either 4th, 5th, or 6th grades.
Exploration Education curriculum comes with ALL THE NECESSARY MATERIALS the student will need in order to complete each project and experiment. including the following:
- Project Materials — motors, wood, solar panel, wire, bulbs, wheels, rubber bands, magnets, Alka-seltzer, etc.
- Experiment Materials — nails, paper clips, sandpaper, pH paper, string, balloons, wire, steel wool, etc.
- Templates and Sticker Pages — project templates, sticker pages, experiment supplements, etc.
- Instructional Materials — student logbook, teacher’s manual, online access to the interactive student text.
VIDEO: For a brief video overview, click here.
All the lessons integrate with text-to-speech to ensure success for those students that can benefit from having the text read to them. They can just highlight the section they want read, and click play.
LESSON 8.2 — Gears, Pulleys, and Power
Click here for sample logbook pages.
Click here to see the complete table of contents.
Extra Standard Logbook
(One Student Logbook is included)
If you would like an additional logbook for a second student, choose below.
$19.95
Video Overview
How it Works:
Read interactive lessons
Students go through the highly engaging lessons online, enjoying the interactive questions, animations, images and videos.
- Text-to-speech: The student has the option to have the text read to them.
- No Expiration Date: There is no specific expiration date for the online lessons. So if your student takes more than a year to go through the course — no problem.
- Quizzes: As the student progresses through the course, they will have vocabulary and section review quizzes.
Build & Experiment
- Students build a project (e.g. electric racer) at the beginning of each section.
- Students then use the project in their experiments throughout that section.
- As an example, students will use the electric racer to experiment with concepts like inertia, velocity, centripetal force, etc.
Record data in your logbook
The student logbook is used to record answers and scientific data using the scientific method. It also includes an index/glossary. The teacher’s manual has the answer key with sample hypothesis and theories, and assessment pages.
Student Built Projects
39 reviews for Standard Physical Science (4th-6th)
Anne O. –
Pllleeeeaaasssseee make more courses! Best science curriculum we’ve ever used! Our best year of science was the year we used EE!
MatthewandKimberly –
My kids loved this science curriculum!!!!
KA –
Greatest science program out there to get your kids to LOVE science! Totally kid friendly, mother approved! Our favorite hands-on science curriculum!
Laurel H. –
We just started our science this week. (We don’t start the rest of our school until next week but the kids were so excited about their kits that they begged to start early.) Both car activities (Elementary and Physical) were huge hits! They were so proud to have built them themselves and to have “professional” science observation journals. Such a great program, and mama is learning alongside them!!!
Lassie –
I used this curriculum with my last child and loved it! Wish I had used with my others.
Kristen –
We love your curriculum! It’s all contained and interesting.
Carrie –
We LOVE this curriculum! Hands-on, fun for the kids, and they get to learn from projects, they made themselves!
Sheila B. –
We used this project based learning kit. It was great I still think of it whenever I use a folcrum!
Mindy MM –
I am using this curriculum this year for my 4th grader. My 9th grader loved it when he went through it!
Erin –
My child switched mid-year to Exploration Education’s middle grades physical science curriculum. We’re four weeks in, and so far it seems to be well-designed and age-appropriate. 10yo is able to do about 90% of the work independently, and he likes the approach of building a project or machine for each unit that is the basis for most of the experiments. The kit includes almost everything required for twelve experiments, I have only needed to supply a handful of things and they’ve all been extremely easy. The “logbook” offers a bit more scaffolding than usual when it comes to including appropriate information for the hypothesis and conclusion, prompting the student to answer specific questions and apply the principles to real-world scenarios. My kid also likes that he can read the informational text and the instructions online and that the comprehension questions for each lesson are self-checking. Of everything we’ve tried, so far this is the curriculum that has come closest to replicating the subscription box experience, where even the activity is completely “open and go.” I only wish they offered more subjects.
Leanna –
Curriculum came in today (ordered on Friday). My Son was looking at the priority mail box, I asked what he though was inside. He said a Lego Set! We opened the box then he remembered this is what he wanted for science this year at the homeschool conference. He said it is even better than Legos! So, there you go, this curriculum is better than Legos. That is high praise from my 11 year old.
Crystal –
My son really enjoyed building the projects. As long as one can wield a glue gun, they are not too difficult. We had success with all but about one or two of the experiments, and there are several. I very much liked having all of the needed parts (except for the glue gun) right in the sturdy box. However, there is no text/reading book. Everything is read on screen. This was not an issue, b/c, honestly, there isn’t that much to read. This was my only problem with the program…I didn’t think there was enough meat in the reading portion. All experiment data is recorded in the lab book as well. You wind up with a nice-looking lab book so if “showing” something to someone is a requirement in your state it would fill that need nicely. I did have the lab book rebound, as the one I received would not lie open flat. There are cumulative tests for older kids after every unit as well. I let my son do these open book. These were mostly open responses except for some labeling. Additionally, there are some additional experiments for older kiddos. We did NOT do these. The customer service is EXCELLENT. Response time is very quick via e-mail. Also, when my son dropped and broke a magnet on our tile floor we were shipped out another immediately for FREE. When our rocket did not work, the author e-mailed suggestions and offered to send one they had tested if ours wouldn’t fly. AND, he followed up on this. However, it only took us one semester to complete everything. The lessons are just not that long. Even with the building, though some took more work than others. However, we do “do science” every day around here. If you did it three days a week, it would obviously last longer. Gosh, I am rather disjointed here. Let me try to summarize:
Pros:
-Easy to open and go
-All supplies right at hand
-GREAT customer service
-Good projects/experiments that actually got done (not always the case in our house)
-Wind up with a nice-looking lab book.
-Good sense of accomplishment in doing the projects.
Cons:
-Very short reading assignments
-For us, I am not sure how retention of the material was
Stacy P. –
My 5th grader really enjoyed it. It was semi-independent. He would read the lesson via the computer and do the demonstration and workbook independently. I added short narrations and required he diagram certain things because the program was short on review. We liked it and would recommend it to kids that like a lot of hands on and short explanations. If you want something really more academic, this won’t work. The kit was awesome, it included everything, and I mean everything, need for the experiments/hands on stuff. We completed it in less than an year because we doubled up on some of the lessons. We finished off our year with a prentice hall book.
Jane –
The instructions for EE are excellent. My 11 yo needed ZERO help on the first project. We love it so far, although we think the photo at the end of each lesson is dumb. If that is all I have to complain about so far….that is amazing, in my book!:D
Emily –
This program is phenomenal and I have recommended it to many parents. Thanks for putting out such a great product for our kids! *Parent of a 12 year old with autism.
Suzanne L. –
Typically we only get through 50-75% of curriculum and we are petered out by April. Because Exploration Education makes it so easy to do each lesson we are still going strong and will FINISH!!!!
Allie –
Your program is so different than any other. My Daughter loves it and is working completely independently while at the same time learning so much. Her success in building the projects has bolstered her confidence.
Yelena –
What a great course! My son is 12 years old, and independently he built the projects and learned a lot about physical science in the process. Both he and I recommend it highly! Thank you.
Susan –
Can’t tell you enough how much we’ve enjoyed EE this year!!! Were planning to purchase the upgrade from the intermediate to Advanced so we can keep “playing” science all summer…What is the unexpected benefit is the extra science she’s learning that is around your experiments and teaching that further inspires her love of science.
Kim –
This year we used nearly all of the program before I finalized this review. I’m just as pleased with the program after more than thirty weeks of lessons as I was when my son first started using it last fall.
Exploration Education has proven to be the perfect balance of text-based materials, online videos, written assignments and hands-on projects. The hands-on activities truly set Exploration Education apart as a superior physical science curriculum.
Exploration Education gave my son a thorough introduction to Physical Science this year with so many wonderful hands-on projects that he couldn’t help but learn the concepts. Having all his supplies provided in the curriculum box ensured that he was always ready to work and wasn’t putting off the projects until I had a chance to gather the supplies. My only real disappointment is that Exploration Education only offers Physical Science courses. I wish I could order another box for next year and continue using this convenient hands-on approach to learning other major science fields.
Abby –
I wasn’t really sure what I wanted for my child and I chose this particular science curriculum because it was a popular one and recommended by our teacher. Im so glad I listend to her! I love this science curriculum and I would love to tell you why:
The curriculum arrived in a box. Everything was in the box. The teachers manual, the textbook, and everything you need to do the experiments. We were able to work on science twice a week. We went over the lesson one day and then worked on the experiment the other day. For some experiments, we did have to use the extra day 5 to finish up.
PROS:
-Short Lessons
-Easy to understand lessons
-Accompanying experiments
-Everything you need for experiments is included
-Fun and engaging lessons
CONS:
-Short Lessons
-One box that includes lessons and experiments can be adjusted to several grades and so if I do it for grade 4 I can’t do it for grade 5 unless I want to do it all over again
-Not a lot of other videos or resources besides what’s in the lessons
I really can’t think of any more cons. I loved this curriculum and really wish they had more of these boxes!
So I liked and enjoyed this science curriculum for our homeschool. But what about my son? He actually enjoyed it as well. The reading part was hard. His reading comprehension is very low. We are working on that but experiments part was fun for everyone. Sometimes my other kids joined in as well. Overall I think this is a great homeschool science curriculum.
Jennifer –
My son loves your intermediate physical science program. This is the first time he is telling me what he is learning each day, and he loves to do science first! Thanks for a great curriculum.
Kym –
I just want to let you know that my 6th grade daughter is thoroughly enjoying this curriculum. She has learned so much and loves the experiments and building the projects. Thank you so much! This has been our best year of science yet!
Marni –
I used your Standard Course for my two oldest kids when they were around 10 years old, and they loved it. When my oldest hit 13, I had him do another company’s well-known physical science course, and it was terrible for him. I’m now dealing with a highschooler who hates science and is fighting his way through his high school courses.This time around, I’m having my middle child use Exploration Education’s Advanced Course this year. Even though she did your Standard Course two years ago, she is absorbing so much more information and is loving it! My youngest will also do the Advanced course next year. I recommended your program to several of our co-op families and they are enjoying it as well. Thank you for creating such an effective and fun way for kids to learn science! I wish that there were more EE science courses, but I sure am grateful for this one!
Sarah –
This is fun because your learning science and you have something cool to show for it.
Cyndee –
The kids had so much fun with this curriculum that we (yes, even Mom) couldn’t wait for science each day. Two years later, the kids still pull out the solar fan just for fun.
Kathy –
My two boys (ages 10 and 11) absolutely love your Physical Science Curriculum. Thank you!
Dawn –
We are homeschoolers, and have used your Standard Science curriculum over the last year. It has been my son’s favorite science curriculum. As a homeschooling mother, I really appreciate having all the materials needed for the projects. My son appreciates that they all work! And he has learned a lot.
Laura –
My 12 year old son and I bought the Intermediate Physical Science Curriculum at the WHO (Washington) convention yesterday because my son just had to have it. After homeschooling 4 boys, and many homeschooling conferences later, I always had a dream that the students should be the ones picking their curricula at these conferences instead of the parents! And my dream finally came true with your product. My son was ADAMANT about getting this after seeing your demonstrations. The next day, today (Saturday), we had to go through all the lessons until we built the racing car. This is the best physical science curriculum I have ever seen. Hands on, computer enhanced but it doesn’t forget about WRITING in the answers in the log book. Everything is so well done, we had so much fun doing this. Thank you for such a great product, I will be telling all our friends up here in Washington.
S. Hussain –
I wanted to drop a line to commend you for this wonderful resource for homeschooling parents. Your complete kit has lifted all the burden from me of figuring out topics, planning relevant experiments, gathering supplies and materials, and, most importantly, explaining the science to my children convincingly. I struggled before coming across your website, but now science has become one of our favorite lessons of the day. We are three chapters in, and my girls are always enthusiastic and eager to see what the day’s experiment will consist of. The experiments are extremely well-designed and do a phenomenal job of illustrating the topics studied. Thank you and bravo to the brains behind this curriculum! I will be sure to recommend it to all my homeschooling friends.
Mary –
This science course has worked so well with our dyslexic students as well as the non-dyslexics. We really like all the hands on projects.
Lisa –
Thank you so much. I have rarely seen such diligent software support and having done the job myself (Software Engineer by trade) I thoroughly appreciate the effort involved. Thank you once again.
Tracy –
My son absolutely LOVES your science program! He’s all hands-on, so this is perfect fit for him. I can hardly get him to do his other work. 🙂 I’m going to have to make him leave science for the end of his work schedule. And the best thing happened today — his public school friends came over this afternoon — he ran to get his electric racer to show them, and boy, were they jealous! God bless you for making this fantastic program!
Kim –
We are loving your science program. I have had a limited amount of ‘confidence’ and science resources on hand, and now we are all having a ball. I really love how the program is laid out, and I love how the questions are right after the information given so as to ‘cement’ the information into their brains.
Betty –
My daughter felt as though she could accomplish something herself, instead of feeling inadequate when it comes to school learning – she was so jazzed and encouraged to share what she’d learned and built with the rest of the family.
Connie –
First let me say we have enjoyed our year in science so far. Exploration Education’s course has made such a difference in how we do science in our home. We are spoiled. My mother was a science teacher and when she found you at the convention last year she knew that your curriculum was the one we needed. She was right!
Caroline –
We absolutely love your project-based science curriculum and would love for you to create more. Your product is high quality, user-friendly, pedagogically sound, and more. Please let us know if you are thinking of expanding – we would order it in a heartbeat!
Tammy –
My son is learning a lot, and enjoying himself. Originally, I thought it was chemistry he liked, but now it is apparent he likes physical science. You have created a wonderful program.
Laura –
I purchased your curriculum for my three children to use this year. Let me say, it has been worth every penny and more! We have been using it for a month now. My 8th grade son uses it every day and my younger two (3rd and 5th) use it 3 days a week. My middle daughter complained the other day that it wasn’t fair that her brother got to do more science than she did!! I LOVE IT!!! Thank you so much for such an engaging product!!! Thank you. Thank you.