Sassafras Science Scope and Sequence
Here at Sassafras Science, we do things a bit differently than the typical science curriculum. It is because we use living books to teach science, which does not always have clear-cut objectives and standards.
So, we wanted to put together a Scope and Sequence for you all to make things a bit easier. Here is what our current books cover:
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 1: Zoology
Age range - K through 5th grade
What it covers - Volume 1 studies the following biological topics through specific animals from the area that the Sassafras twins have visited.
- Mammals
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Invertebrates (Insects)
- Animal Diet (carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore)
- Habitats (with a focus on the animals found there)
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 2: Anatomy
Age range - K through 5th grade
What it covers - Volume 2 studies the following biological topics through specific body parts as the Sassafras twins travel around the world.
- Cells
- Integumentary System
- Skeletal System
- Muscular System
- Nervous System
- Endocrine System
- Reproductive System
- Circulatory System
- Respiratory System
- Digestive System
- Urinary System
- Immune System
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 3: Botany
Age range - K through 5th grade
What it covers - Volume 3 studies the following biological topics through specific plants from the area that the Sassafras twins have visited.
- Pollination and Seed Dispersal
- Non-flowering Plants (Gymnosperms)
- Flowering Plants (Angiosperms)
- Parts of a Flower
- Herbs and Grasses
- Carnivorous Plants
- Parasitic Plants
- Fungi and Molds
- Cacti
- Biomes (with a focus on plants)
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 4: Earth Science
Age range - K through 5th grade
What it covers - Volume 4 studies the following earth science topics through the weather and water features found in the area that the Sassafras twins have visited.
- Biomes (with a climate focus)
- Weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes)
- Droughts and sandstorms
- Freezing weather (ice, snow, and frost)
- Seasons
- Day/Night Cycle
- Atmosphere
- Clouds
- Natural cycles (water, nitrogen, and so on)
- Rivers, lakes, and waterfalls
- Oceans (currents and coral reefs)
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 5: Geology
Age range - 1st through 6th grade
What it covers - Volume 5 studies the following earth science topics through geological features found in the area that the Sassafras twins have visited.
- Continents
- Earth's core
- Geothermal features (including volcanoes)
- Maps
- Rocks (including sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, igneous rocks, meteorites, and minerals)
- Fossils and Fossil Fuels
- Fjords and Islands
- Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
- Erosion and Weathering
- Mountains
- Caves
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 6: Astronomy
Age range - 1st through 6th grade
What it covers - Volume 6 will cover the following space-related topics as the twins zip around the world.
- Our Sun (including the day/night cycle and eclipses)
- The Planets (including dwarf planets)
- Moon (including lunar cycles)
- Asteroids, Black Holes, and Comets
- Stars (including a star's life cycle and constellations)
- Galaxies and our Solar System
- Telescopes, Space Probes, and Satellites
- Rockets and Space Shuttle
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 7: Chemistry
Age range - 1st through 6th grade
What it covers - Volume 7 will cover the elements and other chemistry-related topics as the twins zip around the world to learn about the periodic table.
- Compounds, Bonding, and Reactions
- Atoms, Isotopes, and Elements
- The Periodic Table
- Acids and Bases
- Mixtures and Solutions
- States of Matter
- Oxidation and Reduction
- Magnetism and Conductivity
- Nuclear Energy
- Organic Chemistry
- Minerals
- Electrolysis and Distillation
- Hydrocarbons and Polymers
The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 8: Physics
Age range - 1st through 6th grade
What it will cover - Volume 8 will cover gravity, light, and other physics-related topics as the twins zip around the world.
A little more about living books and notebooking
We often use terms at Sassafras Science that you may not be familiar with, such as living books and notebooking. Here is a bit more about those subjects:
Living Books
- Are Living Books Superior or Not?
- How to Use Living Books for Science with Elementary Students
- How to Successfully Use Living Books with Multiple Ages
Notebooking