Planning for other subjects always seems to be more of a priority than when we plan for science. Science gets pushed back due to time, not feeling comfortable teaching the material, lack of resources, and expenses (to name a few).
I have something to address all of those issues and let this year be the year you teach science the way you wish you had been taught. This post contains affiliate links, you can read my full disclosures here.
If you are like the rest of the world, time is a big issue. There is always a kiddo that needs more attention in some area of the other. You have other obligations besides school work and sometimes the learning curve just seems steeper than you can overcome in the limited time you have available.
That is when picking the best science curriculum is the most important. Notice I did not say create. There is no need to re-invent the wheel.
I’m going to give you some tips and tricks to help make resources work for you and how to choose the best science curriculum options for you and your kids. Plus there is a giveaway!
Picking the best science curriculum
When it comes to science resources, there are different schools of thought and to be honest it is going to depend so much on your teaching situation that I’m not going to even begin to address many of the issues.
I’m going to focus on the things that you are looking for in a quality science resource that is easy to use and effective. These are the things that are independent of worldview.
When considering a science resource I start with these 3 questions:
- Is background information provided?
- Can it be adapted for different levels or ages?
- Does the flow make sense to me?
If you can answer yes to those, then you are on the right track. Please take note of number 3. It can be a beautiful curriculum, but if it doesn’t flow for you then it isn’t going to work for your situation.
You look through all the sites and things and you’ve found something pretty solid, but not perfect. That’s O.K. In fact, that’s even better, because that’s how you make the best science curriculum your own.
Adapting quality resources
No matter how good a resource is, you know your kids best. You may need to adapt it for learning differences or age levels or other issues. Adapting curriculum is a necessary part of teaching.
You need to start with a system for your lessons. I suggest this planning model for science.
When considering adapting resources, you are looking for a few things…
- Is it editable? If not, can it be broken into pieces (you can use parts and not use parts)?
- Is there a way to make it more or less challenging? This might include using parts or available extension activities.
- Is it a quality resource to begin with? (see questions above)
That is just a starting point.
You can grab my Science Resources Checklist to help you evaluate resources to meet the needs of you and your kids. Enter your name and email below and it will be delivered to your inbox.