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Nancy Larson® Science: An overview for parents

Girls presenting Einsteinium

The interactive student booklet is a scientific lab book with their research, observations and specific scientific illustrations of topics with accurate labeling and annotations. Your children are practicing scientists.Every scientist was once a child.

Nancy Larson Science combines a rigorous curriculum with hands-on learning to create a challenging program that children love.


Science K

Science K Booklet Sample

Science K focuses on the children and their interaction with the world around them. We introduce all three main science areas of life, physical, and earth and space with more emphasis on life and physical science. Strong emphasis is placed on topics that pertain to the early learner and what is important to them: the parts of the body, five senses, healthy habits, pets, characteristics of objects, how objects move, plants, living and non-living things, weather and seasons.

Children study Life, Physical, and Earth and Space Sciences:

  • Exploring the Human Body and Five Senses
  • Investigating Healthy Habits
  • Identifying Characteristics of Pets
  • Examining Characteristics of Objects
  • Exploring Forces That Move Objects
  • Observing the Growth of Plants
  • Identifying Living and Non-living Things
  • Identifying Seasons and Weather Conditions

Science 1

Science 1 Booklet Sample

Science 1 focuses on the life sciences. Children at this age are focused on themselves and the world around them. The topics focus on stages of life starting with human beings, moving to plants then animals (primarily mammals), and ending with insects. The stages of life of all these are compared and contrasted, which makes for an easy transition from booklet to booklet. Science 1 also explores sunlight, water, and soil.

Children study Developmental Biology, Botany, Earth and Space, Zoology, Anatomy, and Entomology:

  • Describing the Life Stages of Human Beings
  • Observing Trees
  • Exploring Sunlight, Water, and Soil
  • Investigating Animals and Their Habitats
  • Discovering What Is Inside Our Bodies
  • Examining Characterstics of Insects

Science 2

Science 2 Booklet Sample

Science 2 focuses on the physical world. Children are becoming more inquisitive about the things around them and how things work. The lessons begin with living and non-living things with an explanation of matter. The properties of matter help to provide a lead into geology and characteristics of rocks. From here the lessons progress into how things move (force, gravity, friction, and work), which leads right into simple machines. The last part of the physical world covered is sound and light. From these concepts of the physical world, the children bring this knowledge to life science with lessons on birds. Not only are the stages of life readdressed, but also how the physical science applies to birds by discussing things such as how birds move, their beaks and how they use them, the sounds they make, and other physical characteristics of birds.

Children study Physics, Geology, and Ornithology:

  • Investigating the Physical Properties of Matter
  • Observing Rocks and Minerals
  • Investigating Forces and Work
  • Examining Simple Machines
  • Exploring Sound and Light
  • Investigating Birds

Science 3

Science 3 Booklet Sample

Science 3 starts with the big picture and moves to the child’s world. The lessons begin with our solar system and topics of the Sun, Earth, Moon and planets. From there the lessons introduce the Periodic Table of the Elements and teach the children about building blocks of the universe. This leads into how matter can be changed both chemically and physically. The states of matter are reintroduced and prepare the children for discussions about meteorology and the Earth’s atmosphere and water cycle. Moving on down from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface, lessons introduce the continents, oceans, layers of Earth, tectonic plates, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Continually moving to the smaller scale, the next step is talking about how rocks are formed, types of rocks, weathering and erosion, and soil. After soil, lessons begin with plants and finish with animals. Discussion includes the interdependence of soil, plants, and animals, specifically seed plants and amphibians and reptiles.

Children study Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, MeteorologyGeology, Botany, and Zoology:

  • Exploring Our Solar System
  • Investigating Elements and Compounds
  • Observing Physical Changes
  • Investigating Changes in Our Atmosphere
  • Exploring the Earth’s Structure
  • Examining the Structure and Function of Parts of Seed Plants
  • Investigating Amphibians and Reptiles

Science 4

science-4-booklet

Science 4 focuses on organisms and their interactions as well as forms of energy. The emphasis is life science and physical science as lessons review and build upon topics taught in Science K–3. Life science lessons include introduction to cells and cell structures, botany (plants are examined and classified), characteristics of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and ecosystems, including adaptations and behaviors of plants and animals. Physical science lessons explore energy, including kinetic and potential energy, sound, radiant energy, visible light, heat, and renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Introduction of electricity finishes the program with lessons on types of electricity and building series circuits, parallel circuits, and electromagnets.

Children study Biology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology, and Physics:

  • Exploring the Characteristics of Cells
  • Examining and Classifying Plants
  • Investigating Characteristics of Animals
  • Examining Ecosystems
  • Exploring Energy
  • Investigating Electricity

Science 5

Science 5 focuses on the interactions of systems on a micro- and macro-scale. There is an emphasis on physical science and earth and space science in Science 5, as lessons review and build upon topics taught in Science K–4. Physical science lessons examine the structure and interactions of matter. There is an exploration of force and motion, plus investigation of tools and machines with research on the history and development of tools and the role of engineers. Earth and space science lessons provide a more in-depth look at our universe. Students will also examine the interactions of the Earth’s four major systems–geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Children study Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Engineering:

  • Exploring the Universe
  • Examining the Structure of Matter
  • Investigating Matter and Its Interactions
  • Examining the Interactions of the Earth’s Systems
  • Exploring Forces and Motion
  • Investigating Tools and Machines