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Designed for single-level or multilevel classrooms, homeschools, co-ops, or science clubs, Common Sense Science is for grades 3 through 6, with activities for 1st and 2nd grades to facilitate multi-level teaching. The scripted lessons include vocabulary, research prompts for digging deeper, instructions for constructing 3D Graphic Organizers, and labs that use common household items. All you need for a complete study of each unit is the book and the Student Materials Packet.
Our Common Sense Science books offer an easy homeschool science curriculum designed to engage students with hands-on learning. As one of the best hands-on science homeschool curriculums for grades 1-6, our science programs for homeschool provide practical experiments and activities that make science fun and interactive. This hands-on science homeschool curriculum ensures a dynamic approach to science learning for young students. Lessons in the Common Sense Science series are divided into 18 three-day weeks allowing you to complete two units a year. |
Multi-grade level
The lessons in each unit include foundational content appropriate for first through sixth grade students. All hands-on science activities are coded by ability levels. This enables you to teach all your children at the same time using one science curriculum.
The lessons in each unit include foundational content appropriate for first through sixth grade students. All hands-on science activities are coded by ability levels. This enables you to teach all your children at the same time using one science curriculum.
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3D Graphic Organizers
Graphic Organizers help students of all levels better understand concepts by taking complicated information and breaking it down into visual parts. Graphic Organizers allow students to see and touch content, increasing understanding and retention. This hands-on homeschool science makes complicated material easy and fun to learn. |
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Labs
Predictions, observations, and recording data are introduced through labs that include clear directions and use common household items. Student Materials Packet All the graphics needed for the 3D Graphic Organizers and labs, as well as vocabulary lists to be used in discussions and writing assignments for reference and review are included in the consumable Student Materials Packet. Coming soon:
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FAQs
Is this a full science curriculum?
Common Sense Science is a full science curriculum, not just a supplement. Each book is divided into 18 three-day lessons. This allows you to cover two books a year. Through our unique format, each book has materials and learning activities geared for the different grade levels.
How do I use the multilevel approach?
The lessons include foundational content appropriate for first through sixth grades at different mastery levels. Through our unique format, each book has materials and learning activities geared for the different grade levels. We use special icons or pictures to show the teacher which tasks to do with each particular age group.
For example, when learning about insect development, a first grader will learn that insects go through changes as they develop. This student is exposed to more information but not expected to retain it. In the same lesson, a sixth-grade student will know the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis and be able to describe the stages of each. Lessons are scripted for reading to younger students. Older students are able to work through the books independently with oversight.
For example, when learning about insect development, a first grader will learn that insects go through changes as they develop. This student is exposed to more information but not expected to retain it. In the same lesson, a sixth-grade student will know the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis and be able to describe the stages of each. Lessons are scripted for reading to younger students. Older students are able to work through the books independently with oversight.
What is a graphic organizer?
A 3D Graphic Organizer is a student or teacher made paper object that visually represents or explains the material learned by the student. Common Sense Science uses 3D Graphic Organizers to help students of all levels better understand concepts by taking complicated information and breaking it down into visual parts. Although the content for the level will generally be the same, assignments and expectations for recording information learned will vary for each level. To make the Graphic Organizers, you will need the accompanying Student Materials Packet.
Are labs included?
The study of science is based on the Scientific Method. Labs implementing this method provide context for the information found in the science lessons, increasing understanding as well as retention. These steps can be overwhelming to young children and should be used as a guideline to avoid frustrating them.
To simplify the process, the labs in Common Sense Science use the following approach:
Students
Most labs use common household items. Students record their predictions, observations, experiments, and conclusions in a Lab Book.
To simplify the process, the labs in Common Sense Science use the following approach:
Students
- are asked a question or presented a concept
- make a prediction of what will happen
- experiment and observe
- draw a conclusion based on what they have observed
Most labs use common household items. Students record their predictions, observations, experiments, and conclusions in a Lab Book.
Is the Common Sense Science series Christian in content?
Each unit is subject specific and fact based. For example, Earth is described simply as the third planet from the Sun. It is assumed that the teacher has already established origin, age of the earth, etc.
What is the difference between the Great Science Adventures and Common Sense Science?
The Great Science Adventures series was written over 20 years ago. The books were written in the format of lesson plans for teachers supported by little library books which contained the content needed for the students and Dinah Zike’s wonderful graphic organizers. We decided to update the books to make them easier to use and more appealing to students without losing the effective hands-on approach of Dinah's graphic organizers.
We kept the content and the organizers and activities, added more activities and clearer directions, and organized the series to be more pick-up-and-go, finishing up with a more up-dated look. The decision was whether to call the books new editions or revisions. After wrestling with this, we decided it would be best to just make it a new series, Common Sense Science, and to discontinue the old series, Great Science Adventures.
We kept the content and the organizers and activities, added more activities and clearer directions, and organized the series to be more pick-up-and-go, finishing up with a more up-dated look. The decision was whether to call the books new editions or revisions. After wrestling with this, we decided it would be best to just make it a new series, Common Sense Science, and to discontinue the old series, Great Science Adventures.
Common Sense Science Books
Common Sense Science Books
Common Sense Science - Plants
$12.00 - $20.00
$12.00 - $20.00
Common Sense Science - Insects
$12.00 - $20.00
$12.00 - $20.00
Common Sense Science - Earth
$12.00 - $20.00
$12.00 - $20.00
Common Sense Science - Human Body
$12.00 - $20.00
$12.00 - $20.00
Common Sense Science - Oceans
$12.00 - $20.00
$12.00 - $20.00
Common Sense Science - Vertebrates
$12.00 - $20.00
$12.00 - $20.00
