How Lessons Are Structured
Every lesson follows the same template so you always know what to expect:
LESSON OVERVIEW — A short introduction to the lesson: what your learner will discover and why it matters. Read this before the lesson to orient yourself.
KEY IDEAS — The core concepts for the week, written simply and clearly. This is what you want your learner to be able to say back to you by the end of the lesson. The Digging Deeper bullets add nuance and complexity for older or more advanced learners.
SPINE READING —Spine reading refers to reading from your main reference books, or "spines." Free online alternatives are listed for most lessons, so the spine book is helpful but not strictly required. The page references for the main textbook(s). Read these together or independently. There is also a video lesson available on the website that covers a lot of information.
MAIN LESSON VIDEO — Each lesson has a companion video available on the Rabbit Hole Learning website and you will have also received a download of the video with your purchase. The video covers the core content of the lesson.
NOTEBOOKING ACTIVITY — Your learner will find a specific diagram, chart, or drawing prompt in their workbook to complete after the reading. These are designed to be visual and low-pressure, labeling a diagram, completing a Venn diagram, or drawing a scene with key terms. Some lessons have two options; learners can choose whichever fits best. Younger learners may complete these orally or skip them entirely.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS — Conversation starters after the reading. You don't need to ask all of them. Pick the ones that spark something. The Digging Deeper questions are more philosophical and open-ended, great for journaling or longer conversations with older learners.
TIMELINE PAGE — Each lesson has a dedicated timeline page in the workbook with a specific drawing prompt. The prompt gives learners a concrete scene to illustrate, helping anchor the time period visually. Alternatively, learners can place dates on a separate timeline they’ve already created.
SCIENTIST SPOTLIGHT — Some lessons feature a brief profile of a scientist connected to that topic. These spotlights highlight researchers from a range of backgrounds and time periods, showing learners that science is a human endeavor built by many different kinds of people. You can read these together, assign them independently, or use them as a jumping-off point for further research.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITY — These are designed to be low-prep, open-ended, and memorable. Most use materials you already have at home. Don't skip these with younger learners; if possible, the hands-on element is often where the concept really lands. Older learners may want to watch a video demonstration instead.
SPECIES TO RESEARCH — Starting in Lesson 10, each lesson includes a short list of specific species tied to that time period. These are entirely optional. Use them as rabbit holes for curious learners, starting points for independent research projects, or simply as interesting names to look up together. Learners don’t need to research all of them; even one can spark a great deep dive.
COSMIC CALENDAR — The Cosmic Calendar is a teaching tool that compresses the entire 13.8-billion-year history of the universe into a single calendar year. The Big Bang falls on January 1st at midnight, and the present day falls on December 31st just before midnight. Each month represents roughly 1.15 billion years. Each day represents about 37.8 million years. This section tells you exactly where the lesson falls on that calendar and gives you a word-for-word script to read aloud to your learner. You can display a printed calendar (there is a printable on the website), draw one on a whiteboard, or simply describe it as you read. Lessons 4 and 9 are conceptual lessons with no calendar date; a note is included for those lessons explaining why.
STUDENT WORKBOOK — The workbook contains predone notebooking pages, timeline pages, vocabulary, and writing activities that correspond to each lesson. It is designed to be used alongside the teacher's guide, not independently. Learners write, draw, and create in the workbook as they move through the year. It is not required.
LAB BOOK — The lab book provides structured lab sheets for the hands-on activity in each lesson. It comes in two versions: one for younger learners and one for older learners. Use whichever fits your child, or skip it entirely and do the activity without a recording sheet. The lab book adds structure for learners who benefit from it but is never required.
OPTIONAL BOOKS, VIDEOS & ACTIVITIES — Everything here is truly optional. These are resources for learners who want to go further, families who love books or videos, or weeks when you have more time.