Usborne Science & Math Books

Welcome to my Build Your Own Homeschool Library series where I'm sharing with my readers some of my favorite books from my homeschool shelf. Please note that all the posts in this series contain my own opinions, and I have not been compensated by any publishing company for any of the content.

Overview

The Usborne Science Encyclopedia introduces students to a wide variety of scientific knowledge through easy-to-read explanations and detailed illustrations. The book is organized into nine sections:

1. Materials
2. Mixtures and Compounds
3. Energy, Forces and Motion
4. Earth and Space
5. Light, Sound and Electricity
6. Plants and Fungi
7. Animal World
8. Human Body
9. Science Facts and Lists

The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Physics (click to look inside the book) offers an overview of concepts in mechanics and general physics, heat, waves, electricity and magnetism, and nuclear physics. It also included related internet links.

The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math is similar in some sense to the math handbooks from Great Source I talked about a while ago, but it covers each concept in a more general way. It explains math terminology, giving detailed examples whenever possible.

Many other Usborne books are equally useful. I've listed the three above because I have only these in my own library right now.

How to use the books

We used The Usborne Science Encyclopedia as our main science text early in our homeschooling experience. Each day we simply sat down on the couch together and read one 2-page spread. Then we would explore the internet links included with the text. The text was easy to understand and very informative, and the illustrations engaged the kids' attention. We definitely learned a lot about science that school year.

The Dictionary of Physics and Dictionary of Math are both quite useful as references. They are excellent go-to resources for either the parent or the student to review specific terminology or concepts. Students studying for examinations in math or physics may also find these books beneficial.

View a subject-by-subject list of all the posts in the Build Your Own Homeschool Library series here.