Best Homeschool Science Curriculum (2026): 5 Compared

A parent planning a new homeschool year wants one science book that actually gets opened each morning, so the best homeschool science curriculum is the one that matches the child’s grade and keeps each lesson short. We compared workbooks by grade level, reading age, print length, daily format and what each description says, using only what each listing publishes.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	180 Days Science Grade 4	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	180 Days Science Grade 5	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	180 Days Science Grade 6	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	180 Days Science Grade 3	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	180 Days Science Grade 2	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

180 Days Science Grade 4

Lauren Homayoun·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A fourth grade science workbook with daily one-page practice, NGSS alignment, and an included answer key.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• One page of science practice per school day
• 216 pages with an included answer key
• Aligns to Next Generation Science Standards
• Real-life scenarios across three science branches

Cons

• Spec table subject rows describe reading, not science
• Grade 4 and up only
• 10 to 15 minute activities run short
• No project activities stated

2

180 Days Science Grade 5

Lauren Homayoun·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A fifth grade science workbook with daily one-page practice, NGSS alignment, and an included answer key.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• One page of science practice per school day
• 216 pages with an included answer key
• Aligns to Next Generation Science Standards
• Overview pages explain what students learn

Cons

• Spec table subject rows describe reading, not science
• Grade 5 and up only
• 10 to 15 minute activities run short
• No project activities stated

3

180 Days Science Grade 6

Bebra Bayne·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A sixth grade science workbook with daily one-page practice, NGSS alignment, and an included answer key.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• One page of science practice per school day
• 216 pages with an included answer key
• Aligns to Next Generation Science Standards
• Two authors listed: Bayne and Homayoun

Cons

• Spec table subject rows describe reading, not science
• Grade 6 and up only
• 10 to 15 minute activities run short
• No project activities stated

4

180 Days Science Grade 3

Melissa Iwinski·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A third grade science workbook with daily one-page practice, NGSS alignment, and an included answer key.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• One page of science practice per school day
• 216 pages with an included answer key
• Aligns to Next Generation Science Standards
• Real-life scenarios build science confidence

Cons

• Spec table subject rows describe reading, not science
• Grade 3 and up only
• 10 to 15 minute activities run short
• No project activities stated

5

180 Days Science Grade 2

Debbie Gorrell·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A second grade science workbook with daily one-page practice, NGSS alignment, and an included answer key.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• One page of science practice per school day
• 216 pages with an included answer key
• Aligns to Next Generation Science Standards
• Early-grades entry at reading age 6 to 10

Cons

• Spec table subject rows describe reading, not science
• Grade 2 and up only
• 10 to 15 minute activities run short
• No project activities stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Spectrum Grade 4 Science WorkbookGrade 4 workbook, 144 pages, with chapter reviews and a final assessment.Check on Amazon
• Evan-Moor Daily Science Grade 4Grade 4 resource with 150 activities, reproducible pages for home use.Check on Amazon
• Fun-Schooling with Minecraft400 lessons for grades 3 to 7 blending Minecraft themes with school subjects.Check on Amazon
• Evan-Moor Daily Science Grade 3Grade 3 resource with 150 activities over 30 weeks of science lessons.Check on Amazon
• Mark Twain General Science 5-896-page workbook for grades 5 to 8 covering solar system, weather and energy.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a homeschool science student, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five listings give a reading age and a grade level, though the spec tables’ subject rows describe reading comprehension rather than science. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best homeschool science curriculum

Match the grade, not the age

The five books step from grade 2 and up to grade 6 and up, with reading ages from 6 to 10 years on the grade 2 book to 10 to 14 years on the grade 6 book. Pick the book whose grade band contains your child. For more grade-level lists, see best homeschool curriculum for 3rd grade.

Daily pages or project work

Every pick gives one page per day in 10 to 15 minute activities, a routine for families who want consistency without long lessons. None of the five listings states project activities; the Evan-Moor Daily Science books in the more picks list 150 activities with projects over 30 weeks. Pair a workbook with science books for 9 year olds for reading alongside the pages.

Before you buy

• Check the grade band: the five run from grade 2 and up to grade 6 and up.
• Note the reading ages: 6 to 10 years on the grade 2 book, 10 to 14 years on the grade 6 book.
• Plan the routine: one page per day in 10 to 15 minute activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade levels do these science workbooks cover?

The five books cover grade 2 and up through grade 6 and up, one book per grade.

Do these workbooks include answer keys?

All five listings state an included answer key to track and assess progress.

How long is each daily activity?

The listings describe one page per day in 10 to 15 minute activities.

Are these workbooks aligned to standards?

All five listings state alignment to Next Generation Science Standards.

Still deciding? Our top pick180 Days Science Grade 4

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every homeschool curriculum list and all workbooks and homeschool lists. Also see our best homeschool curriculum for 2nd grade and best picture books homeschool.

More lists: browse math workbooks and reading and phonics workbooks.