Unless you’re a science nerd, the thought of teaching science in your homeschool can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! Science is so much more than dissecting frogs and crafting exploding volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar (although your kids will love doing those things too!). The history of science and the story of how we know what we know about the world around us is simply awe inspiring. There is so much to learn about God’s creation! And the best way to study it in your homeschool is through living books. The best living books about science and nature studies will captivate your child’s mind and inspire him as he studies the world around him. These books can give him a solid foundation for further scientific study and experimentation as he approaches high school.
Science was a bit of a struggle for me as a homeschooled student. I didn’t do well in my formal curriculum and didn’t enjoy the experiments (I struggled with this all the way through college!). But what I did love was reading about science as a homeschooled student. I was fascinated by the stories of science and reading about people who advanced scientific exploration like Marie Curie. I was drawn into their world and suddenly felt like I understood the how and why of science.
My kids have felt the same way (although my boys thoroughly enjoy all the experiments!). Through great living books, the world of science has been further opened for them and has given them a richer and fuller understanding of the world that God has built for us.
I hope these great science and nature study resources will help you as you homeschool this year! These lists are intended for elementary and middle school years, so the reading levels will vary. Some of these titles might be better suited as read-alouds for younger students. However you decide to use them, I hope they help you and your children achieve a deeper appreciation and love for God’s magnificent creation!
Living Books for Science & Nature Study – Elementary Level
Some of the titles in this list may be above your elementary students reading level. But I’ve included them in this list because they would make great read alouds!
- Fabre’s Book of Insects by Jean-Henri Fabre
- Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre and His World of Insects by Matthew Clark Smith
- Minn of the Mississippi by Holling Clancing Holling
- Pagoo by Holling Clancing Holling
- Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas by Cheryl Bardoe
- The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess
- The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess
- The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies
- The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman
- The Ocean of Truth: The Story of Sir Isaac Newton by Joyce McPherson
- Wild Animals I Have Known by Ernest Seton-Thompson
Middle School Level
- Eric Sloane’s Weather Book
- Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather by Eric Sloane
- Eric Sloane’s Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls
- Weather Almanac by Eric Sloane
- Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
- The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin Wiker
- The Life of the Spider by Jean-Henri Fabre
- The Life of the Grasshopper by Jean-Henri Fabre
- The Wonder Book of Chemistry by Jean-Henri Fabre
- First Studies of Plant Life by George Francis Atkinson
- Galileo and the Magic Numbers by Sidney Rosen
- Ordinary Genius: The Story of Albert Einstein by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson
- It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth about God’s Awesome Creation by Lawrence O. Richards
- Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science by John Fleischman
- Johannes Kepler: Giant of Faith and Science by John Hudson Tiner
- George Washington Carver: From Slave to Scientist by Geoff and Janet Benge
- Thomas Edison: Inspiration and Hard Work by Geoff and Janet Benge
Which books would you add to this list?
I hope this gives you a great start to finding great books for science and nature study this year in your homeschooling!
Need more recommendations for elementary and middle school reading? Check out my list of Early American History books.
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