How to Create a Complete Homeschool Science Curriculum?

Introduction

Homeschool science can feel a little scary, right? So many resources, messy experiments, and rules. Where do you even start? Add tight schedules and budgets, and it’s easy to put it off. Here’s the good news. You don’t need a fancy lab or hours of prep. You need a simple plan, safe materials, and a curious kid.

As of 2024, 4.2 million children have been homeschooled in the United States, representing 7.6% of the school-age population.

In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of building a homeschool science curriculum for Pre-K to 6th grade. You’ll map your year into easy 6-week units, use hands-on, non-screen activities, and keep assessment simple with portfolios and checklists. You’ll also receive two plug-and-play sample units that you can start using right away.

TL;DR

• Focus on curiosity, observation, simple experiments, and connecting science to daily life.

• Follow NGSS-inspired ideas, such as big ideas, hands-on practices, and cross-cutting concepts like patterns and cause-and-effect relationships.

• Choose either a deep dive (one branch all year) or a broad overview (different science every term).

• Mix books, nature journals, simple experiments, everyday items, and a few science kits.

• Read, discuss, experiment, record, and connect learning across subjects like math, art, and language.

• Ask, Experiment, Create. Moving from wonder questions to hands-on projects and final showcases.

What is a Homeschool Science Curriculum?

A homeschool science curriculum is a simple plan for doing science at home. It explains what your child will learn, how you will teach it, and how you’ll show progress. For Pre-K to 6th grade, it stays secular, hands-on, and low-screen. Children learn primarily by observing, asking questions, trying out ideas, and sharing their findings.

This is what it includes - 

• Clear goals: Be curious, stay safe, observe, record, explain.

• Big topics: Choose 3 to 4 themes for the year, like plants, weather, motion, or space.

• Unit Plan: Convert each theme into a straightforward 6-week plan, with one investigation per week.

• Weekly rhythm: Short warm-up, a simple activity, quick notes, brief reflection.

• Materials and Safety: Utilizing low-cost supplies and adhering to clear safety rules.

• Assessment: Checklists, journals, photos, and a small end-of-unit share.

• Records: Save a few samples for your portfolio and any state requirements.

Here is what it does not include - 

• Not hours of worksheets.

• Not long videos.

• Not expensive lab kits every week.

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Creating a Homeschool Science Curriculum

Building a simple, effective science plan at home is easier than it looks. Start small, stay hands-on, and keep records light. 

Here's a parent- and micro-school-friendly guide you can follow right away.

Step 1: Define Your Educational Goals

Before you gather books or plan experiments, it helps to pause and think: What do I want my child to learn from science this year? Setting goals will give you direction and make lessons more meaningful.

Here are some big picture goals which might include - 

• Helping your child stay curious about the world around them.

• Introducing basic ideas in life, earth, and physical sciences.

• Teaching them how to ask questions, make predictions, and try things out.

• Building simple skills like observing, measuring, and sharing what they find.

• Showing them how science connects to daily life.

Let us understand this with the help of a few examples. 

For a 5-year-old, focus on exploring and noticing. Encourage questions like “Why is the sky blue?” or “What if we mix these two colors?” Keep a simple weather or nature journal, maybe draw today’s sky or tape in a fallen leaf. Use play-based activities, like floating toys in water, to see which ones sink.

For a 7-year-old kid, use structured thinking. They can start making small predictions, such as "I think the ice cube will melt faster in hot water than in cold." Guide them to test it and record results with drawings, words, or even a simple chart. Encourage them to explain their findings in their own words, almost like a mini scientist sharing a discovery.

By setting these kinds of goals, you make sure the learning feels just right: simple enough for your child's age, but also challenging enough to keep them growing.

Step 2: Choose a Science Framework

Once you've set your goals, the next step is to give your curriculum some structure. A framework acts like a roadmap. It helps you decide what to teach and when, so your lessons aren't just random activities but part of a bigger picture.

Many homeschool families look to the NGSS for guidance. These standards focus on three main parts:

• Big Ideas (Disciplinary Core Ideas): The main topics, like weather, plants, or forces.

• Science Practices: What scientists do, such as asking questions, running experiments, and collecting data.

• Crosscutting Concepts: Connections between topics, like cause and effect (e.g., "What causes the seasons to change?") or patterns (e.g., "Why do some animals migrate every year?").

Let us take an example.

If you're teaching weather, NGSS might guide you to:

• Teach the big idea: Clouds and rain are part of the water cycle.

• Practice like a scientist: Record daily weather in a chart.

• Spot a connection: Notice the pattern of rain making plants grow.

With a framework in place, your teaching becomes intentional, building a solid foundation year after year instead of feeling scattered.

Step 3: Select Key Topics

Science is a vast subject. You can't (and don't need to) cover everything in one year. The trick is to select a few key topics that align with your child's age and interests. For elementary grades, it's best to introduce students to the main branches of science while keeping lessons hands-on and easy to understand.

Here are some of the core branches to explore - 

Life Science: Learning about plants, animals, the human body, and different habitats.

For Example: Planting seeds and watching them sprout, keeping a bug journal, or learning how the heart pumps blood.

Earth Science: Exploring weather, seasons, rocks, and even the solar system.

For Example: Making a weather chart, collecting rocks on a walk, or building a simple model of the planets.

Physical Science: Understanding matter, energy, forces, motion, sound, and light.

For Example, Rolling toy cars down ramps to see how surfaces change speed, using flashlights to study shadows, or mixing vinegar and baking soda to watch a chemical reaction.

Environmental Science: Learning how to care for the planet through conservation, recycling, and understanding natural resources.

For Example: Sorting recyclables at home, starting a compost bin, or learning why trees are essential for clean air.

Tip: You don’t need to cover everything in one year. Instead, plan a cycle. Some families rotate through the major branches every 2–3 years, revisiting with more depth as children grow.

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Step 4: Map Out the Year

Now that you know your goals and the topics you'd like to cover, it's time to organize them into a yearly plan. Think of this as the "skeleton" of your homeschool science curriculum. The details, i.e., books, experiments, and activities, will be provided later, but a clear structure ensures that you cover a variety of subjects without feeling scattered.

Deep Dive Approach

The deep dive approach involves dedicating the entire school year to a single branch of science, such as Life Science, Earth Science, or Physical Science. Instead of spreading attention across many topics, your child spends the year exploring one field in depth. This gives them time to absorb concepts, see connections more clearly, and develop a stronger, long-term understanding. It’s especially effective for younger learners who benefit from focus and repetition.

Why it works well:

• Immersive learning: children spend enough time with one subject to truly understand it.

• Natural repetition: key concepts show up in different ways, reinforcing memory.

• Confidence-building: kids feel mastery instead of confusion from jumping topics.

• Great for young learners: structure and consistency help them stay engaged.

Example: Life Science Year Plan

Plants: Sprout seeds under different conditions, track sunlight and water, and compare leaves and flowers.

Animals: Study how they move and use energy, keep a journal of observed insects or pets, and act out food chains.

Ecosystems: Build a terrarium, learn about conservation, and compare habitats like deserts, rainforests, and ponds.

Human Body: Explore bones and senses with simple diagrams, track heartbeat or breathing, and talk about healthy habits.

Broad Overview Approach

The broad overview approach divides the school year into sections, with each part focusing on a different branch of science. For example, fall might cover Earth Science, winter could focus on Physical Science, spring on Life Science, and summer on Environmental Science. This method provides children with a wide range of experiences and helps them understand how various areas of science are interconnected. It’s a wonderful option for learners who enjoy variety and get excited by exploring new topics throughout the year.

Why it works well:

• Exposes children to multiple branches of science in a single year.

• Encourages them to notice connections between subjects (e.g., weather and farming, or force and motion in animals).

• Keeps lessons fresh and appealing to kids who prefer variety.

• Builds a broad foundation that can be deepened in later years.

Sample Yearly Plan

• Fall: Earth Science

  • Weather unit: Keep a daily weather journal and draw sunny and rainy days.

  • Build a homemade rain gauge to measure rainfall.

  • Talk about seasons and how they affect daily life.

• Winter: Physical Science

  • Force and motion: test toy cars on ramps, comparing smooth vs. rough surfaces.

  • Observe how wind can move objects like balloons, pinwheels, or kites.

  • Introduce simple machines through everyday tools (scissors, levers, wheels).

• Spring: Life Science

  • Plant seeds and track their growth with drawings or photos.

  • Explore farm animals: what they eat, how they grow, and how they depend on weather.

  • Discuss life cycles (frog, butterfly, chicken) through books and crafts.

• Summer: Environmental Science

  • Learn about recycling, composting, or saving water.

  • Visit a local park or garden to observe ecosystems.

  • Consider small conservation projects, such as planting flowers for pollinators.

Benefits of this approach

• Children view science as an interconnected whole rather than a collection of isolated facts.

• They start to notice patterns:

  • Weather influences plants.

  • Forces affect movement.

  • Human choices impact the environment.

• Lessons feel fun, practical, and meaningful while laying a foundation for deeper exploration in later years.

Step 5: Gather Resources

A good homeschool science curriculum is more than just worksheets. Children learn best when they can see, touch, and explore. That’s why it helps to pull together a variety of resources — books, websites, science kits, and even everyday household items. The more ways children can experience science, the more memorable and exciting it becomes.

Books: A Strong Starting PointBooks bring science to life in a way that is simple and engaging. Younger children often enjoy Usborne science books, which explain big ideas through colorful illustrations and easy language. Story-style books also make science feel relatable:

• The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner tells a true story about coral reefs.

• Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry connects nature and the seasons through storytelling.

• Illustrated encyclopedias are excellent choices for visual learners who love flipping through pages filled with images and facts.

Websites: Learning Through Play Interactive websites make science fun and encourage independent exploration.

• National Geographic Kids provides animal facts, games, and information about habitats.

• NASA Climate Kids explains space and environmental science in simple, child-friendly language.

• PBS NOVA Labs offers videos, experiments, and puzzles for older children who enjoy challenges.

Science Kits: Hands-On ExplorationKits make experiments simple and exciting by giving children ready-to-use tools to test scientific concepts at home.

• National Geographic kits include sets that explore geology, chemistry, and crystal growing.

• Thames & Kosmos kits focus on building simple machines and learning basic physics.

• Learning Resources STEM sets are designed for younger learners who enjoy hands-on experiments.

Everyday Materials: Science in Your HomeNot all science requires special equipment. Many engaging lessons can be done with everyday household tools.

• A mini microscope or magnifying glass allows children to examine leaves, insects, or even salt crystals up close.

• A nature journal, paired with colored pencils, helps children record their observations and drawings of what they see outdoors.

• Kitchen supplies, such as vinegar, baking soda, balloons, and cups, can be used for safe and fun experiments, like making a small volcano or inflating a balloon with gas.

When you combine these resources, science becomes something children can read about, watch, test, and experience in daily life. This variety not only keeps lessons engaging but also helps them connect concepts in deeper, more meaningful ways.

Step 6: Create Weekly Lessons

Once you have mapped out your year, the next step is to break it down into weekly plans. Weekly lessons make learning manageable and help children engage with a variety of activities. This approach prevents repetition and fosters a rhythm of learning that incorporates reading, discussion, experimentation, and connecting science to real-life applications.

A well-structured week should offer balance. Children benefit when they are exposed to various learning methods that stimulate their curiosity and reinforce their understanding.

What a balanced week might include:

• Reading nonfiction books or articles to introduce a new topic.

• Discussing the reading together, asking prediction questions such as “What might happen if…?”

• Doing a hands-on activity or experiment that brings the concept to life.

• Recording observations in different ways, such as through drawings, short notes, or simple charts.

• Making cross-subject connections with math, art, or language, or adding a small field trip or outdoor activity.

Example: A Weather-Themed Week

• Monday: Read a children’s book about weather and introduce words like clouds, rain, and wind.

• Tuesday: Observe the sky and record the day’s conditions in a simple weather journal.

• Wednesday: Conduct an experiment, such as making a “cloud in a jar,” to demonstrate condensation.

• Thursday: Practice math by graphing the number of sunny, rainy, or cloudy days observed that week.

• Friday: Make a wind sock or kite and test it outdoors to explore how wind moves objects.

When weekly lessons follow this rhythm, children begin to see science as something they can read, explore, test, and create. This structure makes science memorable, fun, and connected to everyday life rather than a subject that exists only in books.

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Step 7: Integrate Cross-Disciplinary Learning

Science becomes even more powerful when it connects with other subjects. When children realize that knowledge from one area can be applied in another, learning feels natural, relevant, and meaningful. Instead of treating subjects as isolated pieces, you can use science as a bridge that links math, language, art, and technology into a connected learning journey.

Ways to connect science with other subjects:

• Math: Children can measure the amount of water used in an experiment, record their findings, and turn the data into a simple graph.

• Language Arts: Writing can be integrated by asking children to create a short lab report or a creative story, such as “A Day in the Life of a Raindrop.”

• Art: Science projects often inspire creativity. Children might draw diagrams of plant growth, make clay models of animals, or design weather-inspired crafts.

• Technology and Engineering: Activities such as building a small bridge out of household items, coding a simple simulation, or exploring child-friendly STEM apps bring in problem-solving and design thinking.

This blended style of teaching is often referred to as STREAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math. STREAM encourages children to think more creatively, to solve problems in multiple ways, and to understand that learning is not a set of separate tasks but a connected journey.

Step 8: Assess Progress

In homeschooling, assessments do not have to resemble traditional school tests with grades and answer sheets. They can be flexible, creative, and tailored to your child’s learning style. The purpose is not to cause stress with scores, but to see how well your child understands concepts and to celebrate progress along the way.

Practical ways to assess learning:

• Project Presentations: Ask your child to explain an experiment or display a model they have built. For example, after a weather unit, they could demonstrate how their homemade rain gauge works.

• Journals or Lab Notebooks: Encourage your child to keep records through drawings, written notes, or pasted photos of experiments. This creates a portfolio of their learning journey.

• Checklists for Parents: Use simple lists to track skills such as “made a prediction,” “measured data correctly,” or “asked thoughtful questions.” This helps you notice growth over time.

• Hands-On Tasks: Instead of written answers, ask your child to build a simple machine, sort rocks into categories, or demonstrate how a plant bends toward light.

• Reflections and Conversations: Regularly ask your child what surprised them, what they found challenging, and what they would like to explore next. These reflections can be just as valuable as any test.

When assessments are approached this way, they reinforce learning, build confidence, and show children that science is about discovery, curiosity, and growth, not just getting the “right” answer.

Step 9: Encourage Exploration and Curiosity

One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is the freedom to follow your child’s natural interests. If they suddenly become fascinated with space, insects, or volcanoes, you can let that curiosity guide your lessons for a while. This flexibility turns learning into an adventure that feels personal and exciting.

Ways to nurture curiosity:

• Bring home books that match your child’s current interest, whether it is planets, bugs, or natural disasters.

• Watch a short documentary together to give them a visual and engaging perspective on the topic.

• Set up a small project, such as building a model of the solar system, creating a mini-volcano experiment, or observing ants in the garden.

When children realize that their interests matter, they become more motivated and invested in their learning. This not only makes science more enjoyable in the moment but also develops the lifelong habit of staying curious, asking questions, and exploring the world with wonder.

Step 10: Keep it Flexible and Fun

Flexibility is one of the greatest strengths of homeschooling. It allows you to adapt lessons to your child’s needs and interests, rather than sticking rigidly to a schedule. By being open to change, you can keep science learning joyful and meaningful.

How to keep science flexible and enjoyable:

• If a unit feels dull or your child loses interest, do not hesitate to shift directions and try something new.

• If an experiment does not work as planned, treat it as an opportunity to discuss mistakes, trial and error, and how real scientists learn from failure.

• If your child is captivated by a particular topic, allow them to spend more time exploring it deeply instead of rushing to move on.

The goal is not to recreate a traditional classroom at home but to build an environment where your child loves discovery. When science feels flexible, fun, and connected to real life, it plants the seeds for a lifelong love of learning.

Build Homeschool Science Curriculum with the 6-Week Unit Framework (AEC Style)

A helpful way to plan science learning is to use a 6-week unit framework, sometimes referred to as the AEC (Ask–Experiment–Create) style. This method strikes a balance between structure and creativity, guiding your child from curiosity to real-life application. Each week has a clear focus, but the unit as a whole centers on one theme, such as weather, plants, or simple machines.

Week 1: Launch & Wonder Wall (Questions, Prior Knowledge).

• Begin the unit by sparking curiosity with a story, a short video, or a real-world phenomenon.

• Create a “wonder wall” using a poster, a board, or sticky notes, where your child can post their questions.

• For a weather unit, read a picture book about storms and ask, “What do you wonder about the sky?”

• Encourage children to add their own questions, such as “Where does thunder come from?” or “Why does it rain more in some places?”

• This stage builds excitement and helps you identify what they already know.

Week 2: Core Concept Mini-Lesson and Simple Investigation.

• Introduce the main idea of the unit through a short and interactive mini-lesson.

• Avoid lecture-style teaching and instead keep the lesson engaging with questions and examples.

• Follow up with a hands-on activity to make the concept real and memorable.

• In a plant unit, explain the parts of a seed and sprout beans in a jar with wet paper towels.

• In a forces unit, show how pushing and pulling objects makes them move, then test toy cars on different surfaces.

Week 3: Experiment with Variables; Record Data.

• Encourage your child to change one variable at a time in an experiment and observe the results.

• Teach them that this method builds the habit of scientific thinking.

• In a light and shadows unit, shine a flashlight on an object from different angles and record shadow changes.

• In a plant unit, compare how seeds grow with different amounts of water or in light versus darkness.

• Provide charts, notebooks, or space for drawings so children can record observations in age-appropriate ways.

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Week 4: Build/Model/Make (Design Challenge).

• Give your child a chance to apply their knowledge through a creative design challenge.

• Let them build, model, or make something that connects to the unit.

• In a weather unit, they could build a rain gauge, create a wind sock, or model the water cycle with a shoebox and cotton balls.

• In a forces and motion unit, they could design a marble run with cardboard tubes or create a pulley system with string and a bucket.

• Focus on problem-solving and creativity rather than perfection.

Week 5: Apply to Real Life; Fieldwork or Interview.

• Connect classroom learning to real-world experiences through fieldwork or conversations.

• Plan a field trip, backyard observation, or an interview with someone knowledgeable.

• In an Earth Science unit, visit a local weather station or observe erosion after rainfall on a nature walk.

• In a farming unit, interview a local gardener or farmer about crop care.

• If in-person experiences are not possible, use virtual field trips or online guest speaker videos.

Week 6: Culminating Project + Share/Showcase; Reflection.

• Wrap up the unit with a project that combines everything your child has learned.

• Encourage them to share their findings in creative ways such as posters, dioramas, short videos, or family presentations.

• In a weather unit, your child could create a “Weather News Report” where they present their experiments and predict the weather.

• In a forces unit, they could build a simple machine and demonstrate how it works.

• Guide them to reflect by asking questions like, “What was your favorite part? What surprised you? What do you still want to learn?”

This 6-week cycle works because it builds momentum week by week: starting with questions, exploring through hands-on experiments, creating something new, and finally sharing and reflecting. It helps children see science as a process of discovery rather than just memorizing facts. And the best part is that you can reuse the framework again and again, no matter what topic you choose.

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Tips to Remember When Creating a Homeschool Science Curriculum

Creating a science plan for younger children doesn't need to feel overwhelming. With K–6 learners, the goal is not to teach everything at once but to build curiosity, joy, and basic skills that will grow year by year. Here are some tips to guide you:

Follow Your Child's Curiosity.

Kids learn best when they're excited. If your child is fascinated by the moon, insects, or dinosaurs, let that interest shape your lessons. You can always circle back to other topics later.

Make it Hands-On and Playful.

Elementary kids need to touch, see, and do. Instead of only reading, try planting seeds, mixing kitchen ingredients, or making simple models. Even everyday play, like building with blocks or splashing in puddles, can lead to great science conversations.

Have a Plan, but Stay Flexible.

A simple outline helps you stay on track, but don't worry if you don't follow it perfectly. Some units may take longer, and others might wrap up quickly. Flexibility is one of the most significant advantages of homeschooling.

Use What's Around You.

You don’t need expensive lab supplies. Items like balloons, cups, cardboard boxes, or even leaves from the yard can be used as tools for science. A magnifying glass and a notebook can go a long way.

Connect Science to Daily Life.

Show your child how science explains the world around them. For instance, why bread rises, how shadows change during the day, or why rainbows form after rain. The more they see science in everyday life, the more it will make sense.

Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Outcome.

At this age, it's not about "getting the right answer." Sometimes experiments won't work out, and that's fine. Praise your child for asking questions, making predictions, and trying again. These habits matter more than perfect results.

Building a science curriculum is easier if you do it in steps, like setting goals, picking a framework, planning the year, and adding resources one at a time. This way, you can make a plan that interests students while still covering the basics, and with The School House Anywhere (TSHA), you don't have to do it all alone. 

TSHA offers curriculum samples, printables, and progress-tracking tools that give you more time to focus on discovery, creativity, and meaningful learning with your child.

Conclusion

At first, making a science curriculum for homeschool may seem impossible, but if you break it down into steps, it's easy to handle and even fun. By setting clear goals, choosing key topics, organizing lessons into weekly rhythms or unit frameworks, and leaving room for curiosity, you'll give your child the tools to think like a scientist and explore the world with wonder.

With The School House Anywhere (TSHA), you can take that vision even further. TSHA's American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), designed for Pre-K through 6th grade, provides a hands-on, flexible framework that supports both parents and micro-educators. It's secular, adaptable, and built to grow with your child's needs, making science learning both structured and engaging.

When you join TSHA, you gain access to:

• Packaged 6-Week Sessions: Structured units that guide children through curiosity, experiments, and real-world projects.

• Custom Printable Materials: Worksheets and activities aligned with the AEC curriculum to reinforce lessons in practical, age-appropriate ways.

• Progress & Portfolio Tools: Online systems to help parents track growth, organize lessons, and maintain student portfolios.

• Member Resource Hub: A dedicated portal with extra learning tools and a supportive homeschooling community.

• Live Educator Gatherings & Office Hours: Weekly sessions with TSHA educators and founders, plus real-time support for questions and planning help.

• Online Community Network: Connect with other homeschooling parents for ideas, collaboration, and encouragement.

If you're ready to build a science curriculum that's not only complete but also joyful and manageable, explore how TSHA can guide your homeschooling journey. You'll be sure you can help your child do well in science and other subjects if you have the right curriculum, tools, and community.

FAQs

1. How many hours a week should I spend on homeschool science?

For elementary grades, 2–3 short sessions a week (20–40 minutes each) is usually enough. Young kids learn more from frequent, hands-on activities than from long lessons. You can add one longer project day every few weeks for experiments, nature walks, or field trips.

2. Do I need to follow NGSS or state standards exactly?

Not necessarily. Think of NGSS and state standards as helpful roadmaps, not rigid rules. Use them to help you choose what to talk about, but change them to fit your child's interests, level, and pace. You can dig deeper into what interests them.

3. What if experiments don't work out as planned?

That's actually part of science! Failed experiments give children a chance to ask new questions and think about what they could change next time. The goal isn't a "perfect result" but learning how to test ideas, reflect, and try again.

4. How do I assess my child's science learning without formal tests?

You can use journals, photos, checklists, and small presentations instead of written tests. Ask your child to explain an experiment, build a model, or draw what they observed. These methods show understanding and build confidence without adding stress.