FAQ
Everything you need to know about Real Science-4-Kids curriculum, ordering, and getting started.
One of the most common questions we receive is: "Should my child start Science Book 1 in Grade 1, or wait until Grade 3?"
The answer depends on your child's reading ability and whether you'll be teaching with read-aloud support. RS4K's atoms-first spiral model allows for flexibility â younger learners can begin with parent assistance, while independent readers may start at higher levels.
Parent Note:
- Independent readers typically start Book 1 around Grade 3.
- Younger learners (Grades 1â2) can thrive with teacher read-aloud support.
- Strong readers in upper elementary may accelerate into Books 3â4.
The goal is not to rush, but to build a strong, atoms-first foundation that will prepare your child for high school science and beyond.
Most science programs start with 18th and 19th century science focusing on the properties of matter and introducing misconceptions throughout (like saying weight and mass are the same - they are not). Later these same programs expect students to master 21st century concepts in high school and college. It's like trying to navigate a new world with an old map!
Real Science-4-Kids does it different. We start with a modern map right from the start! We introduce "atoms first" starting in kindergarten and we use correct vocabulary and accurate concepts preventing misconceptions before they begin.
Grades K-2: If your child is not yet reading independently, we suggest starting with our Science Literacy bundles and reading them aloud together before beginning the Science Series.
Grades 3-5: Once your child is reading, start with Science Book 1. Once they've grasped the concepts in Book 1, just work through the subsequent books in the Science series.
Grades 6-12: If your child has an advanced reading level, we recommend starting with Book 4 or 5. Because the series follow a spiral curricular approach, Book 5 revisits introductory topics from Book 1 but with a higher reading level and more in-depth content.
Student Pages Workbook
This consumable softcover workbook replaces the older student laboratory notebook and includes:
- Study Notebook Pages
- A quick and clear guide to each experiment
- RATATAZ Experiment Pages
- Space for students to record hypotheses, observations, and conclusions
- Chapter Quizzes and Final Exam
Teacher Pages Workbook
This softcover teacher resource provides everything educators need:
- Weekly Lesson Plans with pacing, objectives, and teaching notes
- Full Experiment Guides with clear instructions
- Answer Keys for Study Notebook, Experiment Pages, Quizzes, and Final Exam
We use a print-on-demand provider that produces high quality hard cover textbooks and your book is printed when you place your order. But - this means we are not very speedy. It can take up to 2 weeks to start printing your book and another week or more to get it shipped.
If you want your books faster, we recommend ordering from one of our distributors. Rainbow Resource will ship your book on the day you place your order!
Yes! Real Science-4-Kids is an approved vendor for the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA).
How do I find RS4K on ClassWallet? Log in to your ClassWallet account and search for "Real Science-4-Kids" in the vendor list or Marketplace.
Is RS4K a full science curriculum? Yes. Each Science book is designed for a full school year, complete with student notebook pages, experiments, and quizzes.
Yes, we are an approved vendor for scholarship programs in Arkansas and New Hampshire.
- Arkansas: http://dese.link/efa
- New Hampshire: https://nh.scholarshipfund.org/
Dr. Woodbury developed Real Science-4-Kids before the NGSS was created and approached her curriculum with student learning (not student assessment) as the desired outcome. Programs that align to the NGSS give students the bare minimum. Although there is a way to map the NGSS onto the RS4K program, there are some aspects that simply can't be aligned â we teach modern concepts like atoms in elementary school.
Our advice is that if you are required to follow the NGSS, do it sparingly and make sure the program you are using doesn't introduce inaccuracies that could turn into misconceptions later.
Dr. Woodbury's first book was Level I Chemistry written for Grade 3. Pre-Level I and Level I were changed to Focus On. The Focus On Series is a unit study program focusing on one subject at a time, covering a semester of instruction.
The Building Block Series has been rewritten and renamed the Science Series. Our Science Series is essentially an updated Building Block series and the old teacher's manuals and student workbooks still work. However, the new Science Series has updated RATATAZ experiments.
RATATAZ is Dr. Woodbury's approach to multimodal learning: R-read | A-ask | T-test, tinker, try | A-answer | TAZ - talk, tell & dazzle.
Although scientists repeat others' experiments, science isn't really about following a recipe. RATATAZ combines several different learning modalities to capture how real scientists do real science.
We will have new RATATAZ kits matching our new Science series available soon. In the meantime, we encourage you to purchase your own materials and not buy RS4K kits from other sources.
Renowned homeschool curriculum expert Cathy Duffy gives a great review to the updated Real Science-4-Kids series, calling it a standout choice for families seeking substantive, hands-on science education.
Key highlights include flexible grade levels (grades 1-10), engaging RATATAZ experiments, improved layout, and religiously neutral content promoting critical thinking.
Read the full review at Cathy Duffy Reviews.
