The Best Astronomy Curriculum for Homeschooling

There is a wide variety of curriculum and resources available for homeschooling families that want to study astronomy. No matter what grade level your children are, or whether you use unit studies, textbooks, or Charlotte Mason, you can easily find an astronomy curriculum or put together your own with available resources.

What Is Astronomy?

Astronomy is the study of the universe; planets, stars, black holes, galaxies, explorers, and other subjects that have to do with the exploration of space. Generally you will also study the people throughout history that contributed to the scientific knowledge that researchers and scientist build on today.

Some of these important men and women are:

• Albert Einstein
• Copernicus
• Edmund Halley
• Galileo
• Henrietta Swan Leavitt
• Ptolemy
• Sophia Brahe

In the elementary and junior high years the study of astronomy is usually limited to a chapter or two in a science text book. There is no reason why you can't put together a more extensive study if your child is fascinated by astronomy, no matter what his age

Most children are naturally curious about the stars and planets. You should plan on doing a lot of hands on activities like making models of the solar system, viewing the planets through a telescope, and creating lapbooks.

Other activities to consider:

• Read biographies of a variety of astronomers
• Create a timeline of astronomers and events
• Play computer and video games about astronomy
• Read books like The Magic Schoolbus Lost in the Solar System
• Create the Aurora Borealis with watercolors

Have your child create lapbooks about the things that interest him most and give him plenty of time to observe the night sky. A field trip to a planetarium or an interview with an astronomer would be a great field trip.

Astronomy is usually a favorite of elementary students but pre-made curriculum can be difficult to find.

Apologia

Apologia is well known for its excellent high school level science programs but it also publishes elementary level books. Exploring Creation with Astronomy is geared for the elementary aged student and includes a study guide, and activities list.

Creation Astronomy

This astronomy curriculum is on Cathy Duffy's top 100 curriculum list. The study has a creationist/biblical viewpoint and was created for use with all grade levels.

Homeschool Astronomy

Homeschool Astronomy is a program specifically for homeschooling families. It is best used with fifth grade through high school.

This is a good curriculum for people who do not want to teach with either an evolution or creationist bias. The point of view is described as "as is", meaning that you will study the universe as it is right now without speculating about the past or future.

Stratton House Astronomy Adventure

These are kits that have been developed to give children hands on astronomy experiences.Each kit has 16 experiential activities from creating artificial gravity to pacing off a scaled down map of the solar system.

If you think you would like to try this curriculum you can use this free sample lesson.

Astronomy becomes more detailed and in depth at the high school level.

Creating Your Own Study

You can still create your own curriculum in any method you prefer, you will just need to make sure that it is in depth and covers as many aspects of astronomy as possible.

At this level you can use any of the following to enhance your study:

• Computer programs
• Documentaries
• Field trips
• Websites

Alpha Omega

Alpha Omega has an astronomy Lifepacs course for seventh through twelfth grades. Like all subjects in this program your child will work through a workbook about every three weeks. The workbooks include quizzes, tests, and activities as well as information.

Hands on Universe

Hands on Universe gives teens the chance to explore the universe on the Internet. You can even request certain observations from an automated telescope.

Lift Up Your Eyes on High Understanding Stars

This high school level astronomy curriculum is from a purely creationist view and is put out by Christian Liberty Press. It comes with a teacher's guide and is perfect for families that want a more conventional, textbook approach.

Prentice Hall

Prentice Hall has a junior high school science textbook, Science Explorer: Astronomy, which includes a complete astronomy course for high school from a secular point of view.

Starry Night High School

Starry Night High School is a study of the astronomy specifically as seen from North America. It includes simulations and interactive computer programs.

Any astronomy program can be given more depth when additional books are read, movies are watched, and Internet resources utilized.

Books

Following is a list of books for a variety of grade levels that will make your astronomy study well rounded.

• A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky(elementary)
• Glow-in-the-Dark Constellations (elementary)
• Janice VanCleave's Astronomy for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work (elementary- junior high)
• Janice VanCleave's A+ Projects in Astronomy: Winning Experiments for Science Fairs and Extra Credit (high school)
• DK Eyewitness Astronomy (elementary)
• Soaring Through the Universe: Astronomy Through Children's Literature (elementary)

Be sure and add plenty of good biographies to your study as well.

Movies

Movies can add a new dimension to your study even if they are purely fictional. Also look for good documentaries on sites like Netflix andBlockbuster.

• Apollo 13
• The Dish
• ET
• Contact
• The Day the Earth Stood Still

Internet

Websites allow for interactive study and most kids love spending time exploring these sites.

Astronomy Magazine

NASA's Exploration of Mars

Sky View Virtual Observatory

Views of the Solar System

Hubble Telescope

Stay with It

If your child is very interested in astronomy let them stay with it until they have explored everything they are interested in and are naturally ready to move on to another subject. This can be weeks for some children and years for others.

A study of astronomy is one of the most interesting subjects in science. By utilizing a variety of the available resources you can create a study that is individualized to your child.