God's Design for Heaven & Earth: For Beginners

This series, geared towards the elementary through middle grade learner, focuses on science from a biblical viewpoint. In addition, it is structured for use by busy homeschool families, and is flexible enough to be used with children of slightly different age levels and learning styles. Best of all, the program has lots of fun hands-on activities that are sure to impress the kids. With similar content to the previously published series from Answers in Genesis, there are a few differences in this series published by Master Books.

Organized into life, earth, and physical science as well as chemistry and ecology, each one-year course is user-friendly for families with children at different grade or learning levels from upper elementary to middle school. Suggestions for use with 1st and 2nd graders has been removed from the original series and is now available separately (see God's Design Science for Beginners).Successfully using the program requires two components: the colorful Student Text and freshly updated Teacher Guide. The heart of the program is the Student Text which provides student readings, colorful graphics and illustrations, "words to know" vocabulary lists, hands-on activities, "Test Your Knowledge" and "Take it Further" questions, as well as a challenge section for older learners. The front of the student text lays out lesson expectations in two grade levels: 3-5 and 6-8. As much as possible, the lessons are the same with a challenge section for older students, making this a true multilevel curriculum for upper elementary through middle school! Topically, students will gain a biblical understanding of life science, chemistry and ecology, earth and space, and the physical world and be shown how science supports the biblical account of creation. The Activities demonstrate each concept well and make a solid connection to the topic. Activities range from simple, hands-on activities or demonstrations to slightly more detailed activities which include charts and lab worksheets to be completed during the activity. I am very impressed with the small amount of preparation time needed, the lack of "fancy" materials needed, and the overall "fun factor" that's sure to draw the kids in. After the project has died out, the lesson is wrapped up with several "What did we learn?" review questions, suggestions for exploring the topic further, and a fun fact about the topic. Each book also includes a sprinkling of page-length "Special Features" which showcase an important person, discovery, or just an interesting facet of science. Utilizes NKJV Scripture references.

For families familiar with the Answers in Genesis 4th edition, the Master Books Student Textbooks offer a combined student edition with only minor changes. According to the publisher, it is possible to use the Master Books editions with the older AIG Student Books" but it would require some additional work for the parent lining them up." The Physical World text includes the individual student texts: Machines & Motions, Heat & Energy, and Inventions & Technology. The Heaven and Earth textbook contains Our Weather & Water, Our Universe, and Our Planet Earth. Life includes The World of Plants, the Human Body and the World of Animals. Chemistry and Ecology contains Properties of Matter, Properties of Ecosystems and Properties of Atoms & Molecules. Courses may be completed in any order. Softcover.

The indispensable Teacher Guide provides helpful resources for teaching science from a biblical worldview, a daily schedule (4 days per week/approximately 45-60 minutes per day), reproducible worksheets, quizzes and exams, answer keys, supply lists, and hands-on activities. The authors have made every effort to include a variety of learning activities that incorporate auditory, visual, kinesthetic, relational, and analytical experiences. The presentation is interesting and includes a range of activities that will appeal to students with varying learning styles and needs. The authors also take pains to help you teach from a solid creationist viewpoint, and equip you to answer questions posed by evolutionists, which you will inevitably come across in supplemental science texts and books. Also included is a summary of the Answers in Genesis Seven C's concept of Biblical history (creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, cross, and consummation) which has been incorporated into the curriculum. Parents will appreciate the easy to use, well-organized, Teacher Guide. Consumable student pages are reproducible for family use. Black and White softbound text. ~Deanne

God's Design has long been a favorite for elementary science. Thankfully, Master Books has taken this beloved program and made it more user-friendly. Presenting information in bite-sized chunks that are not overwhelming, with lovely graphics, this text will likely have your young children begging you to "do science"! The textbook is organized into three units with 35 lessons per unit. Lessons follow a similar format: read a section, trace vocabulary words, answer review questions orally, and conclude with one or more activities. Activities vary and may include a simple writing exercise, a Bible verse to trace, or a hands-on activity. Units conclude with a vocabulary review. For the teacher, also included in the textbook are introductory teaching notes, answer keys, additional activities and experiments, supply lists, and a course schedule which is practical and flexible. There are also brief tips for using the Beginners book alongside the God's Design series for grades 3-8. The supply list is organized by lesson and necessary items should be easy to obtain locally. Consumable student pages are reproducible for family use. Features ESV or NKJV Scripture references, and brightly colored, softcover texts. ~Deanne