Optional Spines

Spines

Each lesson in this curriculum includes a Spine Reading section. The spine is the main reference text your learner reads for that lesson. You have two pathways to choose from, and you only need one.

Science Spine (choose one):

DK Science As You’ve Never Seen it Before (2nd Edition) — a comprehensive visual reference covering a wide range of science topics. Page references are listed in each lesson. (also available on Amazon)
Mammoth Science — an alternative science spine. Lesson references are listed alongside the DK pages in each lesson. There is also a coordinating workbook that is NOT required.
Free online articles — alternative readings are linked in each lesson if you prefer not to purchase a spine book.

Life on Earth / Timeline Spine (choose one):

Life on Earth: From the First Cells to the Modern World by Anne Rooney (Visual Timelines) — a timeline-based reference covering the history of life. References are listed in each lesson.
Free online articles — alternative readings are linked in each lesson.

Spine Pages Reference Chart

Week	Lesson	DK Science	Mammoth Science*	Visual Timelines: Life on Earth
1	The Big Bang	pg. 112-113	N/A	N/A
2	Formation of Stars	pg. 116-117 (Stars), pg. 12-13 (Atoms), pg. 28-29 (Elements)	Elements pg. 18, Atoms pg. 20	pg. 10
3	Galaxies & the Solar System	pg. 114-115 (Galaxies), pg. 120-121 (Solar System)	Solar System pg. 152, Milky Way pg. 154	pg. 10
4	Gravity	pg. 102-103	Gravity pg. 116	N/A
5	Formation of Earth	pg. 122-123	Earth pg. 134, Moon pg. 150, Density pg. 12	pg. 11
6	The Story of Rocks	pg. 22-23	Rocks pg. 138	N/A
7	Plates & Pangea	pg. 124-125	Plate Tectonics pg. 136	N/A
8	Liquid Water & Atmosphere	pg. 187 (Water Cycle), pg. 39 (Oxygen), pg. 122 (Atmosphere)	Water Cycle pg. 142, States of Matter pg. 8, Changing States pg. 10	pg. 11, pg. 13
9	Definition of Life	pg. 134-135	What is Life? pg. 34	N/A
10	The First Life (Bacteria & Archaea)	pg. 135 (Kingdoms), pg. 140-141 (Miniature Life)	Bacteria pg. 36	pg. 12-13
11	Oxygen Changes Everything	pg. 148-149	Plants pg. 42	pg. 14-15
12	Eukaryotes	pg. 142-143	Cells pg. 38	pg. 16
13	Multicellular Life Begins	pg. 143 (Cell Variety)	Types of Cells pg. 40	pg. 16-19
14	The Cambrian Explosion	pg. 171 (Exo vs. Endo), pg. 136 (Fossils)	Fossils pg. 140, The Eye pg. 64	pg. 20-25
15	Life in the Ordovician & Silurian Seas	pg. 182-183	N/A	pg. 25-28
16	The Devonian Period	pg. 158 (Gills), pg. 173 (Swimming)	Plants pg. 42, Seeds pg. 46	pg. 32-39
17	Carboniferous Life on Land	pg. 37 (Carbon/Fossil Fuels)	N/A	pg. 40-45
18	Permian Reptiles & Mammal-like Creatures	pg. 162 (Reptiles)	N/A	pg. 48-53
19	The Great Dying	pg. 128-129 (Climate Change)	Greenhouse Effect pg. 148	pg. 30, pg. 54-55
20	The Triassic Period	N/A	Breathing pg. 52	pg. 56-65
21	The Jurassic Giants	pg. 188-189 (Food Chains)	Food Chains pg. 48	pg. 67-77
22	Cretaceous Life & Flowering Plants	pg. 174-175 (Plant Reproduction)	Flowers pg. 44	pg. 78-85
23	The End of the Dinosaurs	N/A	Greenhouse Effect pg. 148	pg. 86-87
24	Mammals Take the Stage	pg. 176-177 (Producing Young)	Growing Up pg. 70, Reproduction pg. 72	pg. 48-49, pg. 89-105
25	Crocodiles & Dinosaur Descendants	pg. 136-137 (Fossil Record), pg. 138-139 (Evolution), pg. 160 (Bird Breathing)	Evolution pg. 76	pg. 48-49, pg. 89-105
26	Mega Mammals & Ice Age Giants	N/A	N/A	pg. 120-121
27	Ice Ages & the Power of Glaciers	pg. 128-129 (Climate Change)	Climate pg. 146, Seasons pg. 144	pg. 110-111, pg. 120-121
28	Primate Development	N/A	DNA pg. 74, Evolution pg. 76	pg. 106-107
29	What Makes a Human?	N/A	Nervous System pg. 62	pg. 112-113
30	Tools, Fire & Survival	N/A	What is Energy? pg. 80, Heat pg. 82, Combustion pg. 28-29	pg. 114-118
31	Human Migration	N/A	Climate pg. 146	pg. 114-115, pg. 119, pg. 122-123
32	Before History	N/A		N/A