Science in the Ancient World
Berean Science teaches science through the lens of history, with narrative dialogue, a Christian worldview, diverse topics, and many experiments.
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Science in the Ancient World
Science in the Ancient World takes a different approach to elementary science. Instead of presenting scientific discoveries as a finished collection of facts, it invites your child to follow the thinkers, questions, experiments, and mistakes that shaped scientific understanding from about 600 BC through the 1500s.
Through 90 lessons and approximately 35 hours of hands-on activities, your child will explore topics such as atoms, sound, levers, magnets, friction, plants, medicine, and the scientific method while meeting influential figures from the ancient world. Along the way, he'll discover not only what early natural philosophers understood correctly but also where their ideas fell short. Seeing both successes and mistakes helps children understand how scientific knowledge develops over time.
Every lesson includes an activity or experiment designed to reinforce the concepts being studied. Children might use candy to model early atomic theories, investigate the principles behind simple machines, explore how sound travels, or examine historical medical practices. The activities transform science from something to read about into something to observe, test, and discuss.
The colorful hardcover text features short lessons, full-page illustrations, and a conversational style that makes complex ideas accessible to elementary learners. Three levels of review questions at the end of each lesson allow younger and older children to learn together while responding at an age-appropriate level.
The included Helps & Hints book provides answers, explanations, and teaching support, while optional tests and solutions are available for families who want formal assessment. An optional lab kit simplifies preparation by providing many of the harder-to-find experiment supplies.
Written from a Christian worldview, Science in the Ancient World connects scientific investigation with the people and ideas that shaped it. By studying both the discoveries and the missteps of the past, your child gains a deeper appreciation for science as an ongoing process of observation, questioning, and learning about the world God created.
How to Use Science in the Ancient World
- Plan to complete two lessons each week if you want to focus on core instruction. At that pace, your family will cover the essential readings, discussions, and activities without feeling rushed.
- Watch for the red lessons listed in the table of contents. These enrichment assignments are optional and can be added when your child is especially interested in a topic. Completing them typically adds about two extra science sessions each month.
- Read the lesson together, discuss the review questions, and complete the hands-on activity. The experiments are designed to reinforce the concepts being studied while helping your child experience science as ancient thinkers did—through observation, investigation, and discovery.
- Use the consumable notebook alongside the main text. Your child can record observations, document experiments, answer questions, and organize notes as he works through the course. Over the year, the notebook becomes a personal record of both his scientific investigations and his study of the history of science.
- For multi-age families, allow younger and older children to participate together as they respond to the review questions at their own levels. The built-in question sets make it easy to teach science as a family without creating separate lessons for each child.
- Follow your child's curiosity. Science in the Ancient World provides a complete course, but the optional lessons and historical investigations offer plenty of opportunities to explore topics more deeply whenever an idea captures his interest.
Get Ready to Bring Those Ancient Discoveries to Life—On Paper!
These purpose-packed Student Notebooks are made to tag along with Science in the Ancient World, giving your young explorer just the right amount of space to sketch, write, reflect, and record all the brilliant things he's learning.Each notebook is crafted to match a specific Berean Science title and student level—so whether your child is jotting down facts about Archimedes or illustrating a theory from Hippocrates, there's a just-right spot for it. Some lessons include fill-in-the-blank fun or diagrams to label, while others offer wide-open pages for bigger thinking. The challenge lesson pages? They're left blank—perfect for learners ready to stretch their brain a bit further.
For 3rd–4th grade adventurers, the Older Student Notebook balances structure and independence. For 5th–6th grade thinkers, the Oldest Student Notebook brings on the deeper questions for a richer learning experience. And for those still in the scribble-and-chat stage (around 2nd grade and younger), answers can be given aloud—no notebook needed.
Not sure which notebook fits best? Take a peek at the sample lesson pages in your Berean Science text. The end of each chapter lists the levels clearly so you can choose the notebook that matches your learner's sweet spot.
Whether your student is tracing the roots of science or diagramming discoveries with flair, this notebook helps capture it all—one page at a time.
Publisher: Berean Builders Publishing
Author: Dr. Jay L. Wile
Age Recommendation: 5-12
Grade Recommendation: K-7th
Faith-Based: Yes
Consumable: Yes (Student Notebook), No (text)
ISBN: 9780989042420 (text)
9780989042437 (Helps & Hints)
9781733316828 (Older Student )
9781733316835 (Oldest Student )
Format: Hardcover (text), Softcover (Helps & Hints) Spiral bound softcover (Student Notebook)
Copyright: 2019
Made in: USA
Text Sample PDF
Lab Supply List by Lesson PDF
Consolidated Lab Supply List PDF
Scope and Sequence PDF
Printable Older Notebook PDF
Printable Oldest Notebook PDF
Get the optional Lab Kit for Science in the Ancient World here.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Berean Science books are intended for elementary students in grades K-6. We include the five books in this series in our first- through fifth-grade Classic Curriculum Kits.
While there are some positives to working sequentially, families can also be successful beginning with whatever time period most interests them.
The publisher accommodates this by letting you know in the Helps & Hints book what concepts they expect students to know from a previous book in the series. If needed, you can do a quick encyclopedia look-up or internet search to help bridge any gaps.
- November 9, 2024
Outstanding Textbook for Elementary
Jennifer J.
I'm using this with my science-loving 5-year-old second grader. At first I was worried this was a bit over her head, but she is understanding so much more than I would have expected and asking the most interesting questions. It's a very easy textbook to summarize when needed and having activities for every lesson is wonderful. No, we don't do every single one, but it's very easy to pick and choose which ones to do. Most every experiment / activity we have come across has been relatively easy for me to set up and fun for my daughter. I also love the fact that it is ordered chronologically. I don't think I've ever seen another science textbook do this. I think the progression is very logical. I highly recommend!
- June 14, 2024
Daughter loves science
Jill W.
My daughter tends to love anything science and this was no different. We found it interesting, engaging, and fun.
- April 20, 2024
takes a little planning
Tabitha E.
I bought the supply box last year and found that i was still missing a lot of things. most of the experiments require extra things you may or may not have around the house, but in the end its a great book and worth the extra planning.
- December 8, 2023
The Best Science Ever!
Tasha G.
When we first started homeschooling I had this dream of being that homeschool mom that did all these cool science experiments and getting the kids involved in the process a lot. I was never really able to do that... Until now! This book makes science so easy to set up, easy to understand, and makes a huge impact. Not only has this curriculum been a dream come true for myself, but both my kids love it and beg me to do more daily. On top of that it is great at discussing the Bible while doing it. This is an absolute must have for any homeschool classroom (or dinning room table 😉).
- July 20, 2023
Great way to do science
Aerie B.
We love this science curriculum. It’s nice not worrying about what they are being taught in public school and being able to incorporate religion into science. Great book with lots of fun experiments and even I’ve learned from it so that’s a plus.
- January 19, 2023
I wish it worked for us but it doesn't
Carly E.
I really wanted to love this science curriculum but it very quickly turned my son's favorite subject into a chore and a bore. Ot definitely doesn't keep his attention and the experiments are a lot of work and I'm always having to run to the store to buy stuff I didn't realize I needed for them until the last minute. It just doesn't work for us at all.
- April 20, 2022
Fun and Engaging Science
Heather E.
I've been using this science book with my two boys (2nd grade and Kindergarten) this year, and we are all enjoying it. They like having a hands-on activity in every lesson. It keeps them interested. The text is a bit long for them at their ages, so I often shorten the explanations. The only drawback has been that a few of the activities haven't quite worked the way they're supposed to, but that may be due to user error. Even so, we've still had an overall great experience with this series and plan to purchase the next one when we're ready for it.
- February 17, 2022
Next Years Science
Hannah B.
I got Science in the Ancient World in our second grade curriculum kit, and am saving it for next year. I put science back a year, so I could do my second grader and kindergartener together. I think the Berean Builders Science is great, and hope to do them all.
- November 13, 2021
Science in the Ancient World
a
So I like the Science book but I will admit it can get alittle overwhelming with my 1st and 2nd grader. I do however like that it would be easy to use it for all age groups.
- June 28, 2021
Great Science Curriculum
Jenny K.
We have enjoyed this series, with it's many experiments and God-focused message. If it were used for younger grades who can't do experiments in their own it cold possibly be a bit much... If you're like me and aren't into the experiments as much as your children are, that is!
