Simple and Fun Science

Essential Learning Products

There are six 128-page books in this series, designated as books A-F. Each might be used with a span of at least two or three grade levels, so they need not be used strictly for grades 1-6. These are a little larger than other ELP books, but still small enough in size to be unintimidating.

They feature a mix of information, activity, and thinking skills covering topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, health and nutrition, electricity, weather, water, oceans, and geology in each book.

None of these books are intended to be a complete science curriculum, but at the younger grade levels, using a few of these along with real books on specific science topics might constitute your science course. You might, for most grade levels, think of them as a combination science and thinking skills supplement.

Some activities are paper and pencil, writing or drawing, but others are simple experiments that can easily be done at home without special equipment. Books definitely progress in difficulty from level to level.

Evolutionary assumptions (primarily dating issues) appear very infrequently. Hot ecological issues, such as the greenhouse effect and acid rain, are addressed without acknowledging controversy over scientific evidence, a problem we encounter in most science resources these days.

Overall, these books are well-balanced and interesting, and they offer a useful variety of activities to supplement your basic curriculum.