Sassafras Science

Description

Sassafras Science is a fun, Charlotte Mason-inspired, hands-on science program that follows the Sassafras Twins on exciting around-the-world adventures with their eccentric Uncle Cecil and his lab assistant, a prairie dog named President Lincoln. Through an engaging story, children discover that science is anything but boring!

This inquiry-based curriculum combines living books, real experiments, notebooking, copywork, and discussion to help students develop a love for science while building strong observation and thinking skills.

How It Works

Each semester-long Adventure requires three core components:

  • Reader: The heart of the program. A lively story that carries the science lessons as the twins travel and explore.
  • Guide: Provides lesson plans, chapter summaries, discussion questions, vocabulary, encyclopedia and library book suggestions, experiment instructions, and additional activities.
  • Scidat Logbook: A consumable student notebook where children record observations, color maps, draw illustrations, complete copywork/dictation, and document experiments and projects.

The Scidat Logbook is not reproducible, so you’ll need one per child. A moderate amount of writing is involved, making this program slightly more intensive than some other Charlotte Mason-style science curricula. Younger children may need parental help or can “buddy up” with an older sibling.

Available Adventures

Each volume covers one major area of science for approximately one semester. The books are designed to be completed in order for the best story experience, but each begins with a quick review so you can start mid-series if needed.

Sassafras Science is an excellent choice for families who want living-books science that is engaging, memorable, and gently rigorous, making it perfect for multi-age learning and fostering a genuine love for science.

Browse all Sassafras Science Adventures, including Readers, Guides, Scidat Logbooks, and complete Sets below!

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.