REAL Science Odyssey: Physics 1

REAL Science Odyssey: Physics 1

Pages: 498

Grade Level: 3rd–6th

Course Type: Textbook

Author: Dahlia Schwartz, B.S., M.A., J.D.

What Is Physics Level 1?

REAL Science Odyssey – Physics 1 is a secular homeschool physics curriculum that introduces students to the key concepts of physics through a carefully structured, incremental series of lessons.

Students begin with foundational ideas—such as matter and motion—and progress to more advanced topics, including magnetism and electricity. Age-appropriate math and labs are woven throughout the course, giving students many opportunities to apply the scientific method and strengthen their understanding of how the physical world works.

This engaging curriculum guides students as they Read, Explore, Absorb, and Learn physics:

• Read – Fun, accessible readings introduce big ideas and important details for each chapter. The text is designed to be read aloud to students, encouraging questions and discussion.
• Explore – Carefully designed, hands-on experiments bring physics concepts to life and let students practice using the scientific method.
• Absorb – REAL Science Odyssey engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, helping every student grasp and retain key concepts.
• Learn – With Physics Level 1, students don’t just study physics—they learn how real science is done.

What REAL Science Odyssey Is Not

REAL Science Odyssey is not:

• A random collection of unrelated labs — it’s a fully developed, sequential homeschool science curriculum.
• Too hard for younger learners — even elementary students can understand how the physical world works when lessons are engaging and age-appropriate.
• Lightweight — students learn real physics, from Newton’s Laws to relativity (with a little quantum fun included).
• Dry or dull — creative readings and hands-on activities make abstract ideas tangible and memorable.
• Influenced by religion — all RSO courses are fully secular, based solely on valid, empirical science.
  

Who Can Use Physics Level 1?

Physics Level 1 is recommended for grades 3–6, with a target audience of 4th grade (ages 9–10). Labs, readings, and assignments are easily adaptable for multi-age learning:

• Read lessons aloud and record responses for younger students.
• Encourage older students to work more independently.

Even if parents or teachers have limited science backgrounds, this curriculum is written with the science novice in mind—no extra research or preparation is needed beyond what’s in the text.

The course also works well in co-op settings or with multiple students. Extra copies of consumable Student Pages are available separately.

Science Topics Covered

Physics Level 1 introduces fundamental physical concepts through a logical sequence of lessons. Each unit builds upon the last, reinforcing the scientific method, critical thinking, and experimental observation. Students explore big questions such as:

• What is matter and how does it move?
• How do forces affect motion?
• How do simple machines make work easier?
• What causes magnetism and electricity?

 

Science Skills Covered

In addition to core physics content, REAL Science Odyssey develops essential science and thinking skills:

• Applying the scientific method
• Practicing critical thinking
• Making and recording observations
• Presenting and interpreting scientific data
• Reading and understanding informational texts

Lab Experiments

Hands-on experimentation is central to this course. Your student will test, build, measure, and explore how physics works in the real world.

Examples of labs include:

• Learning what happens when you drink through a straw
• Building a simple lever and describing how it works mathematically
• Calculating how long a lever must be for a child to lift a car
• Launching balloons of different sizes and shapes in a “rocket science” experiment

Each lab includes:

• A detailed supply list
• Step-by-step instructions
• Safety precautions when needed

Lab sheets guide students through each stage of the scientific process—hypothesis formation, data collection, analysis, and conclusion.

Planning and Scheduling

Research shows that science is best learned through in-depth study of a single subject, not by skipping quickly between fields.

REAL Science Odyssey – Physics Level 1 is a full-year homeschool curriculum, designed for approximately 36 weeks of instruction, assuming science is taught twice per week.

The course includes:

• A suggested weekly schedule for the entire year
• A supply list broken down by week
• Instructor pages with lesson guidance and lab implementation tips
• Student pages (available separately for additional learners)

 

Important Copyright Information

If you choose the eBook version of this course, you are purchasing a license to use the PDF for your own children. You may make copies for your own children, but you may not share (email, download, print and distribute, resell, etc.) this eBook or any portion of this eBook to others. Licensing is available for group, school, and co-op use. Please contact Pandia Press for details on group licensing (info@pandiapressbooks.com).