BookShark | Structured 4-day homeschool for flexible families

BookShark Science

BookShark marries the joy of reading with the excitement of hands-on projects to bring you this robust Science program.

BookShark Science covers the full spectrum of science studies, such as Earth, space, life, health, physical, and technological science. Students who use BookShark Science in their elementary and middle school years cover an incredible breadth of scientific subjects, circling back year after year in a spiral approach that makes the learning stick. Best of all, BookShark science builds on and fosters a child’s natural curiosity about how the world works to lay a firm foundation of scientific understanding.

The Science pictured here is Level D: Biology, Taxonomy, & Human Anatomy

BookShark is ...

literature-based

4-day

faith-neutral

structured curriculum for flexible families.

Like you!

BookShark Sparks a Love for Science

and makes it easy for you to teach

Each Science program includes three components:

an Instructor’s Guide
a collection of great books
hands-on experiments—both directions and supply kit

Science Instructor's Guide

The Instructor’s Guide (IG) provides the structure for your entire year of Science with everything clearly laid out in a 4-day schedule for 36 weeks. Here's a closer look at exactly what you find inside your Science IG.

1. Complete, ready-to-use lesson plans

All your science books and experiments are fully scheduled for the entire year. No need to create your own plans. You can see at a glance exactly what books to read when, what experiments to do, and what clips to watch from the Discover & Do DVDs.

2. Detailed teaching notes

Weekly Notes help you get the most from your materials. They explain each assignment and activity, point out fun facts about your reading, and provide extra information about important topics.

3. Experiments and activities

Simple, engaging experiments coordinate with your reading and provide hands-on learning. BookShark’s Science kits provide the key supplies so you can actually do the experiments. Many experiments are simple activities that build on the day’s lesson, such as exploring taste buds using basic ingredients like lemon juice and sugar. Again, no planning necessary! Your kids will relish the discoveries they make throughout the year. (And you’ll love that they’re demonstrating concepts that make learning stick.)

Notes: In Science D, experiments start halfway through the year and may require 5 days a week. Science F does not have experiments.

4. Organizational tools to plan ahead

Each week includes a list of what science supplies you will need, both for the present week and the week to come. Know what supplies you’ll find in your BookShark Science kits and which household items you’ll want to have ready. Need to save a milk carton for next week? Now you know!

5. Interactive Activity Sheets

BookShark Science • a child studying weather with a book and activity sheet

The Science pictured here is Level C: Life Science, Meteorology, and Mechanical Technology

Instructor's Guides A-H also include student Activity Sheets. With hundreds of activities, illustrations, charts, and pictures, the Activity Sheets help students remember what they’ve learned. Activities progress with children’s abilities from cut-outs, matching, circle-the-answer and dictation to fill-in puzzles and sequencing analysis.

Prep time? Zero!

Educational value? Immense.

Science Activity Sheets for Levels A-H are full color.

Note: You can purchase an extra set of Activity Sheets if you plan to teach this course again with another student or if you are teaching more than one student.

6. Complete Answer Keys

Separate Answer Keys mirror your Student Activity sheets for easy grading. You get continual insight into your children's comprehension. No testing necessary!

BookShark saved my homeschool! I started off with the Level B Science for my boys (then 6 and 8), and we had such a great year that I decided to go with BookShark for the rest of our curriculum.

The 4-day schedule is perfect for us, so we don't get burned out at the end of the week. My kids love it, and we're looking forward to using BookShark again next school year!

Kemi J.

a collection of great books

Just like our History programs, each of the Science programs includes some longer books that you read aloud for many weeks.

Unlike our History programs, the additional, shorter books do not reinforce the same subject, but offer fascinating information on other topics.

For example, Science B includes four longer books: one on the human body, one on outer space, one on animals (filled with incredible photography), and one on how things work (this, too, is outstanding: how to make a guitar, ballet shoes, LEGO®, and so on, all with beautiful photographs). Added to the longer books are four shorter books: one on illness, one on food, one on nocturnal animals, and one on waterworks—a look at the water that comes out of the tap: where it comes from, and where it goes.

This book is from is Level D: Biology, Taxonomy, & Human Anatomy

This is the pattern for all our Science programs. Students learn about a wide range of topics, from immediate (such as tap water) to beyond-comprehension remote (such as the universe) through engaging, scientifically sound and beautifully illustrated books.

The Science pictured here is Level D: Biology, Taxonomy, & Human Anatomy

In addition, several levels include a scientist biography. In Science 1, students read a brief, illustrated biography of Louis Pasteur. Other years feature such great scientists as Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, and Albert Einstein.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF BOOKS INCLUDED IN EACH PACKAGE by clicking the What's Included tab of any science program linked below.

I spent a day at a homeschool convention, looking specifically for a good science curriculum, and BookShark stood out from the rest. All the others I looked at seemed to have either a weak science focus, biased undertones, or misinformation. Compared to the other choices, BookShark was the clear winner.

When I say strong science, I am mainly referring to the depth of material covered as well as the rigor of the questions asked on the Activity Sheets. The internet links give so much additional information which places extra emphasis on the lessons. We are also very hands-on and like to conduct the optional experiments as well.

My husband is a radiologist, and I am a laboratory technician—science is important to us! Our kids have learned so much with BookShark Science and actually enjoy it! That excitement about science is what is most important.

Marcy J.

hands-on experiments

There is no better way to delight your kids with the wonder of science than by experiencing it firsthand through hands-on activities. BookShark Science has it covered!

To reinforce the concepts learned in the Science books, we include a book of experiments and a Science Supplies Kit. Your Science Supplies Kit includes both consumable and non-consumable materials that you will need but that you may not have on hand. These kits include everything from marbles and powerful magnets to wire, thumbtacks, straws, mirrors, seeds, and paperclips.

By providing the needed planning and materials, you will be prepared for dozens of experiments each year, giving your children a hands-on application of the subject matter.

Note: Science F Health & Human Anatomy does not include an experiment book or kit.

The kids made terrariums today in their science unit. The BookShark curriculum we use had almost everything included.

I'm thankful because who wants to run around looking for charcoal and potting soil?

Rochelle C.

Discover & Do Video Series

BookShark schedules and includes the Discover & Do video series in Levels A through E. The entertaining videos reenact many of the experiments your students perform and provide reinforcement of the concepts observed during the experiment.

Whether you use them in lieu of an experiment, as a backup plan (when experiments do not work) or reinforcement, your students will enjoy the life application of the many experiments.

CHOOSE YOUR SCIENCE PROGRAM

BookShark Science programs span a range of ages so you can combine multiple children in a single program, stretching your homeschool budget while shortening your homeschool day.