Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition Student Notebook (2nd Edition)

Apologia Science courses are written from a Biblical worldview with the homeschool in mind. At the elementary level, courses follow a Charlotte Mason-inspired methodology, with lessons organized around narration, notebooking exercises and hands-on activities or projects. Children at different ages can use these together, learning at their own level. Each course is designed to be teacher-student interactive, so teacher involvement is fairly high at this level. At the junior high and high school levels, science courses are more traditional in nature, with the textbook written to the student. Teacher involvement time at this level is much less than at the elementary level. Textbooks contain student reading, lab instructions, "On Your Own" questions and Study Guide questions. A Solutions Manual provides the answers to these and the test questions. Lab kits are available separately for both the elementary and upper-level science courses which include most of the harder to find items you will need.

Written specifically for use in a homeschool environment, these biblically-centered courses take a lot of pressure off the parent teaching the course. The main component of each course is the textbook. Please note that most textbooks have switched from hardcover to softcover format. The student text includes all the student reading, instructions for labs, "On Your Own" exercises, and fifteen to twenty "Study Guide" questions at the end of each chapter. Unlike many upper-level science texts, we have found these to be extremely readable! The text has a conversational tone, and concepts are explained in an easy-to-understand way. Plenty of helpful diagrams and pictures are included which add interest and break up the text. Answers to the "On Your Own" exercises are also included with discussion at the end of each chapter. The labs are designed to be done easily, and most require only household items to complete; unlike high school courses, like Bob Jones which require investing in some lab equipment and chemicals to complete the labs. Where a microscope or dissecting materials are required, a reasonably-priced complete kit of materials is available, for ease in collecting the items.

The Solution Manual contains test questions for each chapter, answers to the test questions and solutions to the "Study Guide" questions. For some courses, a separate Perforated Tests booklet is available; please note that this is only necessary if you want an extra copy of the test questions.

TheStudent Notebooks are a user-friendly companion that provides space for answering the On Your Own and Study Guide questions as well as for developing Lab Reports. Study helps include graphic organizers and a Module Summary for each module (fill-in-the-blank). Digging Deeper sections provide opportunity for practical applications and writing activities. For the teacher there are grading rubrics for lab reports and suggested answers for some of the graphic organizers. The History of Science module includes a nicely done timeline. Grading rubrics for the lab reports are provided in the Appendix.

MP3 Audio CDs are also available for most courses. The audio files are in MP3 format, and will require an MP3-compatible CD player to use (these can also be run on most computers). Tests, study guides, and answers are not included - this is simply an audio version of the text.

Apologia also offers Video Instruction for Biology, Chemistry, Marine Biology and Advanced Biology. These have transitioned to USB flash drive format. Sherri Seligson, author and scientist, is your host and takes you to interesting locations, incorporating animated diagrams (over 20 hours of instruction) to help students better understand the concepts being taught. The content is more of a summary of the textual information found in each section of the modules than a narration of the text. Students will either see Sherri Seligson on location or in a lab during the speaking portions or they will see animated illustrations and examples. Sherri takes students through each lab and talks about what needs to be done and the results of the experiments.

System requirements for USB drives: USB port (PC or Mac), media player capable of playing mp4 files, and an internet browser. DVD requirements: DVD drive on your computer (PC or MAC) capable of playing mp4 files; these are not compatible with a DVD player.

We now offer SuperSets and Advantage Sets which include multiple items. Advantage Sets include the text, solutions manual (with a copy of the test), notebooking journal, and the MP3 Audiobook CD. SuperSets include everything in the Advantage Set (text, solutions manual with tests, otebooking journal and MP3 CD) plus the Video Instruction USB Flash Drive.

Looking for a solidly Christian-based and academically complete health and nutrition course for your high schooler? Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition may be the perfect fit! Offering a wide range of topics related to health and nutrition, students learn basic anatomy and common health-related conditions, genetics, macro- and micro-nutrients, exercise, diet, and important mental and emotional health topics. Skills essential for emotional health are covered, including understanding your temperament, decision-making skills, boundaries, contentment, conflict resolution, communication skills, and more. There is also an introduction to various mental health issues and conditions including signs of and available treatments for depression, anxiety, dementia, and others. Reproductive anatomy and physiology are covered, with accurate illustrations and descriptions. Marriage, sexuality, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases are discerningly explained, along with alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, and other topics necessary for our young people to understand for successful navigation in adulthood. This is handled gently and respectfully, but parents should evaluate their young adult’s emotional and spiritual maturity prior to starting the lessons. Students are also introduced to an array of health-related careers.

Components include the softcover Textbook and the Student Notebook.  At the high school level, there are two paths for transcript credit. For the elective credit, students would minimally need to read the textbook then answer the “On Your Own” questions found in the textbook. The Student Notebook is technically optional. However, to meet a state-required Health and Nutrition credit, students will need the textbook along with the Student Notebook, which contains additional course learning activities. Both paths require internet access (parent supervision suggested) and basic exercise equipment (fitness ball, athletic shoes, cushioned floor). Purchase of the course includes access to a website and password for “Book Extras” to enhance the course.

If you are familiar with the first edition course, the table of contents and coverage remains the same, but several changes were made. Numerous quotes and “Think About This” sections have been revised or removed. Project 7.3 was removed. Information has been expanded for some topics, including mental illness, emotional health, and gender identity. Like other Apologia upper-level science courses, this is designed to be independently completed. This one-year course will meet your transcript needs for a nutrition credit and provide many of the skills for a successful transition to adulthood. ~ Deanne