Be a Naturalist

The curriculum excellently integrates hands-on outdoor activities with learning objectives. Adventures include structured experiments like observing water transport in celery and testing effects of sunlight deprivation on leaves.

Multiple examples of structured experiments and observations including celery vascular system experiment, leaf sunlight experiment, and plant identification walks

The curriculum appears to prioritize experience and observation over systematic content knowledge building. While it covers topics like photosynthesis and plant classification, the emphasis is on nature study rather than deep scientific content.

Review mentions teaching photosynthesis and classification activities, but describes the approach as story-based adventures rather than systematic content instruction

The curriculum relies heavily on story-based instruction through fictional characters rather than direct teaching of science concepts. This approach may lack the explicitness needed for effective science learning.

Instruction comes through stories from Kate and Nate characters rather than direct teaching, with lengthier narrative passages broken into segments

The curriculum provides solid parent support with PreQuest Prep sections that include objectives, outlines, supply lists, and guidance. However, it lacks deep science content background for instructors.

Each quest includes 'PreQuest Prep' information with objectives, outlines, supply lists, and optional resources, plus sidebar prompts and questions

The curriculum includes some review materials through worksheets, games, and flashcards. However, these appear to be optional supplements rather than systematic retrieval practice.

Review mentions worksheets, games, and flashcards that 'reinforce learning from the adventures' and can be used 'as parents wish'

No explicit mention of NGSS alignment or standards-based design. The curriculum appears to follow a nature study approach rather than systematic standards alignment.

No mention of NGSS or science standards alignment in the review

Limited evidence of explicit vocabulary instruction. The curriculum mentions terms like photosynthesis and classification but doesn't appear to emphasize systematic vocabulary development.

Review mentions photosynthesis terminology and classification concepts but no indication of explicit vocabulary instruction methods