WHAT IS “STEP 3”?
STEP 3 is two years of secular, religion-friendly curriculum, designed for use by students ages 9-10, who read reasonably well.   The focus of Step 3 studies is to develop literacy while teaching the various subjects offered.

DOES MY STUDENT NEED TO DO STEP 1 OR 2 TO GET A STEPS EDUCATION?
No.  Each Step covers the entirety of each subject offered, but as the student goes up through the Steps, the materials become more detailed, and challenging.  Students start at the Step right for their age and literacy.  They do not need to go back to an earlier level unless they find themselves truly struggling, and for a significant amount of time.

IS STEP 3 FOR HOMESCHOOLING?  OR THE CLASSROOM?
Step 3 is independent study for homeschoolers, but it has been used with success in the classroom.

ARE STEPS 3 COURSES BOOKS?  HOW DO I GET THEM?
STEPS courses come as PDFs, online downloads.  When you purchase courses on our site, they are immediately sent to the email address you give us.

HOW DOES STEP 3 SCIENCE WORK?
Like all STEPS studies, Step 3 courses are broken into daily lesson plans.  Each lesson plan is made up of small things to be done, in sequence.  The student does each step in the lesson plan, in order.  Sometimes, the course shows students art work, video, or photography – all found in sequence, in the lesson plan.  And in every lesson plan, the student uses what has been taught and does things, there are always activities.  And since this is Science, the work is very hands-on.  Every course can be considered a lad science!

Over a period of two years, the duration of Step 3 studies, students develop improved reading and literacy skills.  Each student moves at their own pace in developing literacy, as in all their studies.  By the end of Step 3, a student should be ready for almost entirely self-directed independent study, and they should have developed a solid grasp of the essentials of the subjects studied in Step 3.

Step 3 Science starts with Science Basics, defining the overall subject of science, a step very often skipped in other studies.  What is Science, and why should we know about it?   Covered.  The basic tools of science are explored in the first course, including the concepts of measurement, categorization, and the Scientific Method.  The student tests every idea, hands-on.  These are each lab sciences, using commonly-found articles.  Science courses to follow cover Earth sciences – Geology, Oceanography and Meteorology, and then Biology, Human Health, Physics and Astronomy, with a smattering of Chemistry - providing the student a thorough overview, and preparing him for the far more rigorous studies in Step 4, of these same subjects.  Five Step 3 Science courses allow for two years of study.

The science courses provide a more thorough Science education than most High Schoolers ever receive (and remember, this is for ages 9-10, what would normally be Elementary School students.  They also work each lesson plan to expand vocabulary, and Critical Thinking Skills.

CAN I PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL COURSES TO FILL NEEDS IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
Yes.  Each STEPS course is a free-standing, independent study.

CAN I PURCHASE A FULL SEMESTER OF STUDIES IN STEPS ALL AT ONCE, OR A YEAR'S WORTH OF A CERTAIN SUBJECT?
Yes, as “bundles” on our site.  Bundles are the least expensive way to purchase STEPS courses.

HOW QUICKLY COULD I START USING STEPS 3?
Start now.  You can start STEPS at any time of the year, 24/7/365.   Everything you need is pretty much included in the courses you will download, for STEP 3.  (Some courses require films or outside books, which are carefully explained, with links provided detailing where to find them.)

HOW MUCH DO I, THE TEACHER OR PARENT, NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCIENCE IN ORDER TO USE STEPS?  HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO DO?
You (teacher/tutor/parent) do not need any expertise in subjects your student is studying, using STEPS.   Not as a teacher, or in the subjects being taught.  You do not need a degree, or experience as a teacher.  Each course does the “teaching”.   Just follow the lesson plans, and keep your eyes open for fun opportunities related to whatever the student is studying.   The course does the teaching.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I MOVE MY STUDENT UP STEPS?
A student can move up at any time he has the literacy skills and maturity for the next level.  The student does not need to “complete” a lower level of curriculum to move up.  The student just needs to be able to successfully do the next higher level of curriculum as far as difficulty and literacy.  With STEPS, a student is never “behind” or “ahead” – each student moves at the pace they’re comfortable with, every step in every lesson plan, every course, every level. 

SUCCESS STORIES ABOUT STEP 3 SCIENCE STUDIES!
I really like CIT, and appreciate their approach to learning. My 2 oldest children did this course, with minimal input from me. I observed and guided and monitored, but they did the work. A great way to learn the basics of science, and personal responsibility.  C. A., Homeschool Mom
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My 9 year old daughter is absolutely loving this course. She loves the hands on lessons and is having a blast while learning so much. She is so excited with it right now that it's all she wants to work on these days. Thanks for an engaging and fun course.  S. W., Homeschool Mom
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Just wanted to say thanks once again! My DS14 has gone from 'hating' school science to now being fascinated and actually considering aiming for a career in zoology eventually! For a kid who had no goals at all as far as further education he's now excited when he talks about working with animals in the future. Your science curriculum has shown him that science doesn't need to be boring and dry. We now have big long discussions about all kinds of scientific theories and chemical reactions.

He was just in his bedroom doing his creative writing and all I could hear were chuckles. It's so exciting to see him enjoying learning! I never thought I'd ever see this. He wrote a 1400 word essay the other day because he just didn't want to stop!   A.R., Homeschool Mom