Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day Textbook (2nd Edition)

Yes, it can be used for that. I has lots of hands on activites, always good for every grade. For the higher grades, there is moe to know, for the younger ones, it can be easily simplefied.

This is our first round with using Apologia science but so far it's a family favorite during our school day. I wasn't fond of science as a kid but I'm loving this, and my own kids do, too. The textbook is beautifully laid out and each page is a delight to look at and a feast of information, perfect for eager elementary learners. I'm currently using this with a first and third grader. Some of the concepts are a bit advanced for my first grader, but he still enjoys the activities and notebooking (drawing). My third grader is understanding well; once in a while a concept will challenge him but that's good, in my opinion. We've been spending about 2 weeks per lesson (studying science roughly three times a week). A family could easily go faster or slower, depending on your schedule and needs. Each lesson includes activities, ranging from "find-it" games printed directly in the textbook to more experiment-like activities such as making paper airplanes and observing how well they fly to catching an insect and putting it in the fridge for a bit to see how the cold affects its movement. I have not purchased the lab kit and have been managing just fine with home resources so far. I also have not used the notebooking journals. They look delightful but decided to have my kids use a 9x6 inch blank spiral sketch notebook instead. That's been working just fine as well (for recording experiments and for nature journaling). The creation-based focus of the text is much appreciated, as it teaches children how to see God as the designer of all life. The text is written in a bright, conversational tone. It is in no way a dry textbook, but is something my kids look forward to pulling off the shelf. This curriculum is very open-and-go. I literally read a couple of pages and put a bookmark in. No teacher manual or lesson planning! Love that. We'll do an activity if there is one that goes with the pages we just read (or save it for the next lesson). After every few pages or so, children are encouraged to narrate what they have learned so far, explain the concept, or define a term. Each lesson concludes with review questions, which can be answered orally or written down. I love this more Charlotte Mason approach to science with no worksheets and tests but with hands on learning, nature journaling, and the vibrant text. I'm also a huge fan of the family learning style (we all do science together). I'd highly recommend this book (and series!) for any elementary student. We can't wait to pick out our next book.