[Katigre]

IME the biggests piece of elementary science learning, regardless of curriculum, is doing weekly labs - that is what my kids remember most from each year of science we've done, and it's what really helps them learn the scientific method. They can learn to write basic lab reports, form hypothesis (make predictions in the "If...then..." format), and write about results. I think a reasonable lab budget per year is $100-150 (depending on what types of science you're doing. Some of this cost is only needing 1-2 items but having to buy in bulk). Our co-op science teachers buy all of the supplies at the beginning of the year and store them so they're ready to use.