Harcourt Science: Student Edition Grade 1 2006

This is the first grade text. I have been using it now for the first semester with my daughters. The reading level is not as high as it is listed. My daughter who is in first grade with strong phonics skills is able to read most of it. I would say it is about a third grade reading level. I purchased the assessment book, the lab manual, teacher resource book, teachers manuals, and the reading support and homework book. Since this is only first grade, we have really only been using the reading support and homework book and the text book which would make this a very affordable curriculum for homeschooling. For second grade, I will not purchase the teacher resource book or the teachers manuals (unless they are very inexpensive) and I'm debating about the lab manual. By third grade, I think I will need the lab manual. As for this book itself... Pros: Colorful, engaging pictures. Simple, well written text. Easy-Insta labs included in each lesson. There is a lab that can be done for each lesson and is in the text book (you could make up your own lab form if you'd like). I have not needed to purchase many extra supplies to do any of the labs so far. At the end of each lesson, there are review questions and the reading homework and support is a great source of reinforcement for the texts. Cons: If you find the California Standards version of this text--don't buy it. The pages are cluttered with the lists of standards that California required the publisher to include (I have the third grade version of this set with the CA stds.) I do wish that the text explained that God created the world--but this is published by Harcourt, a secular publisher, so I simply talk to my children about God as we do our science lessons. I have looked at a lot of science curriculums and though I am a Christian homeschooler, I still chose to go with this one. The text is fresh and new and can be reused. The reading support book can be copied (which is great when you have multiple children). I haven't found another curriculum yet that can compare to this one in terms of the photographs and illustrations and simple text. It doesn't feel outdated (it's only 3 years old!) My edition with this ISBN was copyrighted in 2006. I think it would be wise to contact the seller to confirm the copyright before you order a used copy since it is listed as 2003 on this listing.