Nancy Larson Science is a hands-on curriculum for grades K-5. It offers scripted lessons and all necessary materials, making science teaching easy for parents.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is nancy larson science?
Nancy Larson Science is a science curriculum for kids in grades K through 5. Created by Nancy Larson, who also made Saxon Math, it features easy, scripted lessons for parents to read aloud. You don’t need a science background or lesson plans. Each level has everything you need: a teacher's manual, a science toolkit with materials for experiments, word wall cards, lesson charts, student booklets, and assessment tools.
The scripted approach
With Nancy Larson Science, parents get word-for-word scripts to follow during lessons. This method, similar to Saxon Math, ensures you teach consistently, no matter your expertise. Lessons include an introduction, hands-on activity, discussion, and a review. If you’re not sure about teaching science, this clear structure is comforting. The scripts also provide questions to ask, expected answers from students, and what to say for explanations.
Schedule and time commitment
For younger kids (K-2), you'll spend 2-3 days per week on 20-30 minute lessons. For older kids (3-5), you can go up to 5 days a week with 45-minute sessions. The curriculum revisits concepts throughout the year, helping students remember what they learn without cramming. Most families finish a grade level in one school year at the suggested pace. It also builds vocabulary and note-taking skills alongside science topics.
The bottom line
Nancy Larson Science helps parents teach elementary science without stress. The scripted format means you don’t need to be a science expert. Plus, the complete kits mean no shopping for supplies. The neutral approach works for families of any belief. At $279-349 per level, it's an investment, but you get a lot of materials and a year of online access. Parents who liked Saxon Math often feel the same way about Nancy Larson Science.
