Science Curriculum and More

True confessions:  I am not a scientist.  In fact, science was probably my worst subject in school.  I literally prayed my way through biology in college.  One of my favorite quotes of all time is from the show Joey (the short-lived spin-off of Friends), when he said, “It’s like science.  It can’t be explained.”

Apologia Science Curriculum

I love learning alongside my kids. The world is fascinating! Click To Tweet

One of my absolute favorite things about homeschooling is learning alongside my kids. The world is full of fascinating things that I never knew about.  God really did have His hand in everything.  I love having a science curriculum that points out evidence for intelligent design.  We live in a fascinating world!    

Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17

I am thankful that I found a great science program that really explains things on a level that the non-scientist in me can relate to.  We have made many amazing discoveries with Apologia.  (Did you know that bower birds make nests shaped like gazebos?  I never even knew what a bower bird was!) I love that Apologia’s elementary science is broken down into the days of creation:   Flying Creatures of the 5th Day, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and more.    

Mulitage Learning is Easy

We read (or listen to) our textbook, then notebook about it.  The regular notebook is perfect for my fourth grader, while my first grader can stay on the exact same topic on the same day in her junior notebook. She loves the cutting and folding, coloring sheets, and artistic type projects that are included.   They can work together, but at their own levels. There is also an audio book so we can listen to our science in the car, while we are getting chores done, or even just to give mom a break from reading aloud.  The audio book and multi-age journals are a MUST for our family.  I don’t know how we would get anything done otherwise!

Where Should You Start?  Are you near the Eclipse?

Will you see the total eclipse in 2017? Check out Go See the Eclipse and Take a Kid With You! Click To Tweet

If you aren’t sure of which science curriculum you would like to start with, I would suggest trying Astronomy if you are in an area where you might get to see the total eclipse in the summer of 2017.  That happens to be much of the United States.  To see if you are in the pathway, check out Go See the Eclipse.  Go See The Eclipse And Take a Kid with You will give you all the information you need to know specifically about the eclipse–what it is, why you should see it, logistics, safety, and more. The total eclipse could be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so do yourself a favor and check it out.

If you are planning a trip to the beach, you might want to start with Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day. If you want to get a membership to the zoo, you might choose Land Animals of the Sixth Day.  You could go in chronological order through creation.  You could even ask your kids what they are most interested in and just start there.  

 

Apologia Writing

Last year we loved Apologia science so much, that when we found out there was a new writing curriculum, we definitely wanted to check it out.  I have a reluctant writer.  What we were doing just wasn’t working.  We are enjoying Writers in Residence this school year.  It is designed for grades 4-8.  They use real literature from Christian writers as models.  My son was surprised to find that he knew the first author mentioned and loved his books!  We are learning lots of great things like vigorous verbs and specific nouns in just the first two weeks.  

Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal

One other great thing that Apologia offers is the Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal. We are lucky to live in amazing place with lots to do. If you don’t have any idea where to start, the journal give you great suggestions that won’t cause you to travel far from home, though that is always an option if you want it.   Kids remember much more of what they do and experience than what they read about or watch on TV.  We want their education to be as rich as possible.  That means field trips!  This journal is a great way to document memories and educational pursuits.  

If You Are Still Looking

I hope that if you are still looking for curriculum, that you are inspired by the great choices available.  This is the tip of the iceberg, but it is a huge blessing to us.  Although we didn’t start homeschooling for religious reasons, we are thrilled that there are so many great Christian choices out there that bring us closer to God throughout the day as we study.  May God bless your school year and draw you closer to Him!

What are your favorite science and writing curriculums?

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