Elemental Science
Classical homeschool science plans by Paige Hudson that combine hands-on experiments, reading from colorful science encyclopedias and notebooking. Lines include the Classic grammar and logic stage series, Sassafras Science living books, SciQuest and Science Chunks.
What is Elemental Science?
Elemental Science is a homeschool science publisher whose programs are written by Paige Hudson, a homeschooling mom with a science degree and teaching experience. Its plans follow a simple, three-part method: do hands-on science, read about science, and write it down.
The best-known line is the Classic series, built on the classical model popularized by The Well-Trained Mind. Susan Wise Bauer has said the series loosely follows her recommendations for hands-on experimentation. Other lines include Sassafras Science, a set of science novels, plus SciQuest, Science Chunks and preschool programs.
How it works
In a Classic grammar stage course, a typical lesson goes like this:
- Do a short experiment from the teacher guide.
- Read a few pages from the spine book, often a colorful science encyclopedia.
- Narrate or write a few sentences, sketch, and learn vocabulary in the student workbook.
- Add optional extras such as lapbooks, coloring pages or extra reading.
Teacher guides lay out either a two-day or a five-day week across 36 weeks. In the logic stage, students get the lesson plans in their own guide and work more independently, with outlines, lab reports and a science fair project. Quizzes and tests are optional.
What it covers
| Program | Grades | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Science | K–1 | A first taste of each science area |
| Grammar stage | 1–5 | Biology, Earth science and astronomy, chemistry, physics |
| Logic stage | 5–8 | Biology, Earth science and astronomy, chemistry, physics |
| Sassafras Science | Multi-age | Zoology, anatomy, botany, Earth science, geology, astronomy, chemistry, physics |
| High school guides | 9–12 | Biology, chemistry, physics; free, no longer supported |
Each Classic course targets about two grades, with tips for stretching it to a wider age range.
Who it's best for
Elemental Science fits classical and Charlotte Mason families, parents who want a clear plan they can adapt, and budget-minded families who borrow spine books from the library. Kids who love stories may prefer the Sassafras line.
If your child hates writing, or you want everything in one box, a kit-based program may suit you better. See secular homeschool curriculum and other homeschool science options.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, grammar stage bundles with guide, workbook and experiment kit cost about $79 to $85, and logic stage bundles about $105 to $115. Spine books are extra. eBooks cut the cost of guides, and shipping is free.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Homeschool curriculum is commonly an allowable ESA expense in states such as Arizona and Utah, but each program decides what it covers. Read how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work, add Elemental Science to your wishlist, and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
Noeo Science uses a similar living-books approach but ships every book and kit in one box at a higher price. REAL Science Odyssey is a secular, lab-heavy alternative with fewer extra books needed. Mystery Science is a video-led option for K–5. Christian families often compare it with Apologia.
See the best homeschool science curriculum for ranked picks.
Who Elemental Science is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Classical and Well-Trained Mind families
- Parents who want a schedule but like to adapt it
- Kids who enjoy science stories; Sassafras uses novels
- Budget-conscious families who use the library for spine books
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want everything in one box with no extra books to find
- Kids who resist writing and notebooking
- High schoolers who need a supported, current course
Elemental Science pros and cons
Pros
- Simple three-part method: experiment, read, write
- 2-day or 5-day schedules for flexibility
- Wide range of series for different learning styles
- Experiment supplies are fairly easy to find; kits are optional
- Affordable eBook options
Cons
- Spine books are required and sold separately
- Writing load may be heavy for some kids
- Resources reflect evolutionary assumptions, which some families may want to discuss
- High school programs are no longer updated or supported
What’s included
- Classic series: grammar stage (grades 1–5) and logic stage (grades 5–8) courses in biology, Earth science and astronomy, chemistry and physics
- Sassafras Science: eight living-book novels with activity guides and logbooks
- Intro to Science and other preschool and kindergarten programs
- Teacher guides with 2-day or 5-day weekly schedules
- Optional experiment kits, lapbooks and coloring pages
- Print or eBook; free shipping on all products
Elemental Science levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Science | K–1 | Science play, discussion and drawing with less writing; usable through 2nd grade. |
| Grammar stage: Biology | 1–2 | The living world, animals, human bodies and plants over 36 weeks. |
| Grammar stage: Earth Science & Astronomy | 2–3 | A first look at Earth science and astronomy over 36 weeks, with experiments and notebooking. |
| Grammar stage: Chemistry | 3–4 | A first look at chemistry over 36 weeks, with experiments and notebooking. |
| Grammar stage: Physics | 4–5 | A first look at physics over 36 weeks, with experiments and notebooking. |
| Logic stage: Biology, Earth Science & Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics | 5–8 | More independent student guides with lesson plans, unlabeled drawings and a science fair project. Physics for the Logic Stage is for grades 7–8. |
How much does Elemental Science cost?
Elemental Science sells each course as separate pieces or a bundle. As of October 2026, a grammar stage bundle with teacher guide, student workbook and experiment kit costs $78.99–$84.99, a logic stage bundle costs $105.08–$114.98, Intro to Science costs $74.99, and Sassafras Science year bundles cost $130–$137. Bundles don't include the required spine books, which are sold as Book Package Bundles or found at a library. Printed teacher-and-student combos without a kit start around $35.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Science Bundle (K–1) | $74.99 | One-time | — |
| Biology for the Grammar Stage Bundle | $84.99 | One-time | — |
| Chemistry for the Grammar Stage Bundle | $79.99 | One-time | — |
| Biology for the Logic Stage Bundle | $105.08 | One-time | — |
| Chemistry or Physics for the Logic Stage Bundle | $114.98 | One-time | — |
| Sassafras Science Year 1 Bundle | $130 | One-time | — |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Cathy Duffy names the Classic series one of her 103 Top Picks and says its method is close to her ideal. Reviewers like the workbooks and flexible scheduling, and the cautions are a heavy writing load and the need to gather supplies or buy kits.
Common praise
- Methodology close to the reviewer's ideal
- Workbooks make notebooking easy
- Flexible scheduling
Common complaints
- Writing load can be heavy
- Must gather experiment supplies unless buying kits
- Spine books add cost
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · elemental science classic series
Elemental Science family reviews
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Elemental Science FAQs
Is Elemental Science secular?
Yes. The Classic series has no direct teaching on religion or evolution, apart from an optional big bang lesson in logic stage Earth science. The spine books it uses reflect mainstream evolutionary science.
What is the difference between the grammar and logic stage?
Grammar stage courses, for about grades 1–5, use a parent-led teacher guide and a recording workbook. Logic stage courses, for about grades 5–8, give the student the lesson plans to work more independently, plus drawings to label and a science fair project.
What is Sassafras Science?
Sassafras Science is Elemental Science's story-based line: eight novels following the Sassafras twins through zoology, anatomy, botany, Earth science, geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics, each with an activity guide and logbook.
How much does Elemental Science cost?
As of October 2026, grammar stage bundles cost about $79 to $85, logic stage bundles about $105 to $115, and Sassafras year bundles about $130 to $137. Spine books are extra, though many families borrow them from the library.
Does Elemental Science have high school courses?
It has high school Biology, Chemistry and Physics guides, now offered as free eBooks. The company says it no longer updates or supports them, so check that the recommended experiment kits are still available.
How do I know where to start with Elemental Science?
The publisher's Where to Start page compares its series side by side and offers free samples. Each Classic course targets two grades, with tips to stretch it wider.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- elementalscience.com
- elementalscience.com · biology for the grammar stage bundle 3rd edition
- elementalscience.com · physics for the logic stage bundle
- elementalscience.com · biology for high school ebook guide
- elementalscience.com · sassafras science year 1 bundle
- cathyduffyreviews.com · elemental science classic series