I guess the hardest part for me is wanting to see it before I buy it. We live in the boondocks of KY and no one local uses much for science. (!!?!? I know, right?).

Now I am looking at Elemental Science, too. :) Love all the suggestions, thanks!

Thank you all so much! I am definitely going to check out BFSU. Many of you mentioned it covers 3 years ...?!? How does that work?

I am looking for a new science curriculum for the fall. Currently, we are using McRuffy Science grade 1 for my kids, grade 1 and K. We don't love it. It is dry and boring, and the experiments are blah. We will finish up with it but I am ready to start looking. This is our second year homeschooling, first year doing science. I am a science major (microbiologist/chemist) and want something that really teaches kids concepts, vocabulary, etc. Not "fluffy science". Cost is a factor as is prep time. I want something with little prep and inexpensive lab materials, preferably. I was looking at R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey, Real Science 4 Kids (kind of pricey and would use one book for a whole year), and Apologia. Would you recommend any one of these? Or a different one I haven't mentioned? Thanks! I don't want to waste my money again on something we don't like.

I am a new homeschooling mom. This fall will be our first official year! DD1 will be 6, DS will be 4 and DD2 is 1. I am looking to order Sonlight Core B for DD1, which includes the history/geography, bible and reading portions (language arts?). My question is, what else is essential for K? This will technically be her kindergarten year even though I am ordering a "first grade" curriculum for her. I was looking to do math as well (probably A Beka), but wasn't sure what I needed in addition to all of this. She LOVES to do work (she currently goes to preschool but begs me for worksheets, workbooks and anything else she can get her hands on when she comes home). I don't want to overwhelm her but I also don't want to miss out on something. Spelling? Foreign Language? Science? Thank you for your input!