SCIENCE CURRICULUM, Grades 6-12

TRADITIONAL TEXTBOOKS
These curricula are the California state-adopted, or mostly standards-aligned programs. They are the easiest way to insure that your child is covering the state standards for their grade level. These curricula have components that address the needs of children with visual, auditory, and often kinesthetic learning styles.

GRADE
CURRICULUM

PUBLISHER
(Vendor)

COPYRIGHT
MEETS CA STANDARDS
6 - 8 Glencoe Science Focus on Series, CA Edition
6 - Glencoe Science Focus on Earth Science
7 - Glencoe Science Focus on Life Science
8 - Glencoe Science Focus on Physical Science
CDE Ordering and Pricing
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
2007
Yes
6 - 8

Holt California Science
6 - Holt California Earth Science
7 - Holt California Life Science
8 - Holt California Physical Science
CDE Ordering and Pricing

Houghton Mifflin Holt McDougal
(Previously Holt, Rinehart, and Winston)
2007
Yes
6 - 8 Prentice Hall California Science Explorer
6 - Focus on Earth Science
7 - Focus on Life Science
8 - Focus on Physical Science
CDE Ordering and Pricing
Pearson/Prentice Hall
2008
Yes
6 - 8 McDougal Littell California Middle School Science Series
6 - Focus on Earth Sciences
7 - Focus on Life Sciences
8 - Focus on Physical Sciences
CDE Ordering and Pricing
Houghton Mifflin Holt McDougal
(Previously McDougal Littell, and Co.)
2007
Yes
6 - 8

CPO Focus on Series, California Edition
6 - Focus on Earth Science
7 - Focus on Life Science
8 - Focus on Physical Science
(Inquiry-based program with hands-on manipulatives. Complete program very expensive, but individual components and kits might be considered).

CDE Ordering and Pricing

CPO Science
2007
Yes
         
HOMESCHOOL FAVORITES
These curricula are often written by subject or needs-specific publishers, single item publishers, or by homeschooling families who know the needs of homeschoolers. The curricula are typically not aligned to the California state standards. They tend to be homeschool user-friendly in that more of the content is in the student edition and less in the teacher edition, there may be fewer teacher manuals, and tests with answer keys are often included in the curriculum package, not in a separate, teacher resource book.
Pre K - Adult Self-Teaching Guides
The guides provide the fundamental knowledge needed in the various sciences. Can be used as a basic course or as a supplement to any course.
Physical Geography and Astronomy could be combined for a basic Earth Science course with additional supplements.

Astronomy
Basic Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Physical Geography
Rainbow Resource Center: http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/
~Rainbow Resource Center
~A Brighter Child
   
K - 8 Great Science Adventures
Created by Dinah Zike who also created the "foldables" program in which students manipulate paper to show their understanding of the content they are learning. . Great Science Adventures workbooks cover a wide range of topics. Students read the content from the program provided books that the students fold and make. Each lesson is followed by 1-3 hands-on activities. The parents and students are also directed to enrichment activities to further expand the lessons. Students show their understanding of the content using the various "foldable" activities.

To view each course table of contents and book pages, go to the item on the Rainbow Resource Center website, then click "view inside".
Discovering Atoms, Molecules, and Matter
Discovering Earth's Landforms and Surface Features
Discovering the Human Body and Senses
Discovering the Ocean
World of Insects and Arachnids
World of Light and Sound
World of Plants
World of Space
World of Tools and Technology
World of Vertebrates

Rainbow Resource Center: http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/

~A Brighter Child
~Rainbow Resource Center
   
K - 12 Exploration Education
Year long physical science, project-based curriculum. Each level includes the text and all of the materials. A hands-on experiement is provided after each lesson.
Elementary Level (1 lesson each week), grades K-3
Table of Contents
Intermediate Level - Standard (3 lessons each week), grades 4-6
Table of Contents
Intermediate Level - Advanced (5 lessons each week), grades 7-12
Table of Contents
The California content standards include Earth Science and Life Science standards (as well as Physical Science) in each grade K-5. In 6th grade, the standards cover an entire grade of Earth Science, and in 7th grade, the standards cover an entire grade of Life Science.
Students in grades K-5 using this curriculum will need to supplement those grades with earth and life science content. In middle school, the Intermediate Level-Standard product would most align with the standards for 8th grade where an entire year of physical science is being covered. In high school, Earth Science is a year course. The Intermediate Level-Advanced course for physical science could be used as a supplement, but would not cover all of the standards for an Earth Science course. So it would be easier for the parent to use an Earth Science course, and use this product to supplement that course, rather than the other way around.

http://www.explorationeducation.com/
     
4 - 6 Real Science 4 Kids, Level 1
Each of the four disciplines are taught in each level including Level 1: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Earth and Space, only with increasing depth. Not all disciplines and Kogs have been developed for every level.
Level 1 curriculum sets for each discipline includes a student text, student lab book, and teacher manual. Components can be purchased individually.
Real Science 4 Kids "Kogs 4 Kids": Connects the discpline to six other disciplines: critical thinking, language, technology, the arts, philosophy, and history. Can be used with the displine or by itself, but it assumes that you have knowledge in that discipline.
Home Science Tools sells a Real Science 4 Kids basic lab kit that is a "must have".
Real Science 4 Kids "Connects to Language": Direct vocabulary instruction that is seamlessly connected to their science study.
Home Science Tools: http://www.homesciencetools.com
Rainbow Resource Center: http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/
Gravitas Publications: http://www.gravitaspublications.com
~Home Science Tools
~A Brighter Child
~Gravitas Publications
~Rainbow Resource Center
 

No
7 - 9 Real Science 4 Kids, Level 2
One semester, 10-chapter chemistry course for junior high students lays a foundation for high school chemistry. Students design experiements and use the scientific method to solve real-life science questions.
Level 2 Chemistry Set includes a student text, student lab book, and teacher manual. Components can be purchased individually.
Home Science Tools: http://www.homesciencetools.com
Rainbow Resource Center:http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/
Gravitas Publications: http://www.gravitaspublications.com
~Home Science Tools
~A Brighter Child
~Gravitas Publications
~Rainbow Resource Center
 

No
7 - 10 Hands-On Science Series (Walch Publishing)
Hands on Science: Forensics
Hands on Science: Simple Machines
Hands on Science: ABCs of Chemistry
Hands on Science: Electricity & Magnetism
Hands on Science: Atmosphere & Weather
Hands on Science: Rocks & Minerals
Hands on Science: Force & Motion
Hands on Science: Light & Color
Hands on Science: Nutrition, Mind & Body
Hands on Science: Our Solar System
Hands on Science: Plants
Hands on Science: Arthropods
Hands on Science: Water

Walch Education: http://www.walch.com/
Rainbow Resource Center: http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/

~Walch Education
~Rainbow Resource Center
~A Brighter Child

   
8 - 12

Contemporary Chemistry (Walch Publishing)
Chemistry presented in as a basic course with simpler, clear content including questions and summaries. Includes quizzes and lab experiements.
The program also refers to an additional, optional book by the same publisher, Practical Chemistry Labs. This additional lab book requires much expensive lab equipment to implement.
Rainbow Resource Center: http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/

~Rainbow Resource Center
~A Brighter Child
   
Biology, Earth/Space Science, Integrated Science, Marine Science, Physical Science Parallel Alternative Strategies for Students (PASS)
This downloadable curriculum program was developed through special funds provided by the State of Florida. Its goal is to offer "more understanding in less time" and "help students with learning needs achieve success in the classroom". Download the free consumable Student Guides. Request your ES to download free Teacher Guides. Can be used as a stand-alone, a supplement, or while waiting for curriculum to arrive. Not aligned to CA standards. Written for Florida.
http://www.pass.leon.k12.fl.us/Special%20Documents/Book%20
Subject%20Areas.aspx
   

No
         
HANDS-ON
Most programs today have a hands-on component to them. Items in this column are here because they have a "more than most" emphasis on being hands-on, which helps our kinesthetic learners. These materials are also often "homeschool favorites" because a hands-on emphasis engages and improves learning for most students.
K - 12 Exploration Education
Year long physical science, project-based curriculum. Each level includes the text and all of the materials. A hands-on experiement is provided after each lesson.
Elementary Level (1 lesson each week), grades K-3
Table of Contents
Intermediate Level - Standard (3 lessons each week), grades 4-6
Table of Contents
Intermediate Level - Advanced (5 lessons each week), grades 7-12
Table of Contents
The California content standards include Earth Science and Life Science standards (as well as Physical Science) in each grade K-5. In 6th grade, the standards cover an entire grade of Earth Science, and in 7th grade, the standards cover an entire grade of Life Science.
Students in grades K-5 using this curriculum will need to supplement those grades with earth and life science content. In middle school, the Intermediate Level-Standard product would most align with the standards for 8th grade where an entire year of physical science is being covered. In high school, Earth Science is a year course. The Intermediate Level-Advanced course for physical science could be used as a supplement, but would not cover all of the standards for an Earth Science course. So it would be easier for the parent to use an Earth Science course, and use this product to supplement that course, rather than the other way around.

http://www.explorationeducation.com/
     
6 - 8

CPO Focus on Series, California Edition
6 - Focus on Earth Science
7 - Focus on Life Science
8 - Focus on Physical Science
(Inquiry-based program with hands-on manipulatives. Complete program very expensive, but individual components and kits might be considered).

CDE Ordering and Pricing

CPO Science
2007
Yes
7 - 9 Real Science 4 Kids, Level 2
One semester, 10-chapter chemistry course for junior high students that lays a foundation for high school chemistry. Students design experiements and use the scientific method to solve real-life science problems. They learn to think like a scientist. Level 2 Chemistry Set includes a student text, student lab book, and teacher manual. Components can be purchased individually.
Home Science Tools: http://www.homesciencetools.com
Rainbow Resource Center: http://www.rainbowresource.com
A Brighter Child: http://www.abrighterchild.com/
Gravitas Publications: http://www.gravitaspublications.com
~Home Science Tools
~A Brighter Child
~Gravitas Publications
~Rainbow Resource Center
 

No