Exploring Creation With Astronomy

Now in the 2nd edition, chapters include, "What is Astronomy?," "The Sun," "Mercury," "Venus," "Earth," "The Moon," "Mars," "Space Rocks," "Jupiter," "Saturn," "Uranus," "Neptune," "Kuiper Belt and the Dwarf Planets," and "Stars, Galaxies, and Space Travel." Chapters 11-14 are where you see a change in the chapter sequence from the first edition. There are still interesting activities and projects including a model solar system made of balloons, pinhole eclipse viewing box, making a compass, understanding the moon phases, and creating an astrometer. The text is formatted differently from first edition - it begins with an explanation of the text, activities, course website, and the notebooking journals in clear bold print. Each lesson is full of new photography and illustrations and interspersed with scripture. Blue "Think about this" and "Wisdom from Above" boxes give special attention to the Creator, and questions are scattered throughout. Activities for each lesson include instructions and illustrations. Every chapter is rounded out with "What do you Remember?" for review. Appendices include a lesson-by-lesson supply list for hands-on activities and an answer key for "What do you Remember?" questions.

The Astronomy 1st/2nd edition supply kit from Nature's Workshop still contains the supplies for all of the activities which are printed in the text.

Notebooking journals (sold separately) are now in full color and color-coordinated. Notebooking Journals are for mid- to upper-elementary students who can write independently. Junior Notebooking Journals are for early elementary students or those who are still developing writing skills. These feature activities that require less handwriting and more coloring. A suggested schedule is provided at the beginning, with 71 daily assignments, and the lists have items listed in 3 different colors - green for textbook reading assignments, and blue for notebook assignments. Pages in the Notebooking Journals are formatted for students to answer questions and complete activities. A review of the inner planets now follows Lesson 8, review of the outer planets follows Lesson 12, and a final review follows lesson 14. "Take it Further" pages are now drawing, making lists of books you've read, movies you've watched, additional experiments you may have completed, and making scrapbooking pages. Copywork is still included and coloring pages in the junior notebooking journals. Answer keys are provided for vocabulary crossword puzzles and final review questions.

For audio learners, consider adding the MP3 CD audiobook which features a reading from the textbook. Labs and activities require a mix of household, craft and science supplies. You can gather these yourself, or opt for a convenient Lab Kit packaged by Nature’s Workshop. If you’re looking for more hands-on activities, consider the Activity Guide which includes all labs from the textbook, plus 21 more activities.

The Textbook and Regular Notebooking Journal have been reprinted with new, updated covers. The content is essentially the same except the reference to the Astronomy Lab Kit has been removed. At this time, the Junior Notebook has not been updated.

Because of the content changes, 1st edition products are not compatible with the 2nd edition.

~ Donna