Exploring Creation With Physical Science 4th Ed.

Maintaining a Creation focused, rigorous approach to the sciences, the new Physical Science 4^th edition offers a refreshed look, updated text, creation connections and changes to the experiments and activities. While the scope and sequence of the material is the same as the 3^rd edition, homeschool families will appreciate the updates that make it more accessible for all learners. One additional change is the inclusion of “Advanced Concepts” sections that dive deeper into the concepts found in the chapter. For the most part, these concepts were included in the previous edition, but may have been considered challenging for many learners. All students are encouraged to read through it for general knowledge, but only advanced students are expected to answer the related Study Guide and Test questions. On Your Own questions are scattered throughout the modules and are designed to ensure students have mastered the readings prior to continuing through the lessons. A Study Guide concludes each module, and reviews vital concepts and helps students prepare for the module tests. Another helpful change is the sample Formal Lab Report found in the Textbook Appendix which helps students understand the expectations of the written report.

A careful introduction to the scientific process, methods, and measurement/data collection are covered in the first module, followed by a focus on chemistry (4 modules) and physics (6 modules). Additional chapters cover earth science (2 modules), and chemistry and physics in the life sciences. Physical Science Research concludes the course. This final module has been expanded to include more content on how to conduct and present research including organizing information, writing a thesis, and developing the introduction, main points and conclusion. The rest of the text has had some modifications, with expanded explanations, textual revisions, or on occasion, the removal of content. Many of the On Your Own and Study Guide questions have been revised. While much of the content is the same, there are enough updates that the 4^th edition is not compatible with the 3^rd.

Hands-on activities are integral to the course. There are two types of activities: You Do Science, a collection of quick, hands-on ways to see science in action; and the Experiments which are more formally developed lab experiments. Students should document both types of activities, with one formal lab report required per module. Supplies necessary are easy to find our household items. Eye protection is required. A comprehensive supply list is found in the Appendix. We anticipate a lab kit becoming available in the future.

The course is designed to be done 4 days a week (suggested daily schedule is included in the Student Notebook). The engaging text contains 15 modules—each taking about 2 – 2 ½ weeks to complete. A typical week requires studying science for about 1 hour a day for 4 days.

There are 2 required components. First is the softcover Student Text which includes all student reading, experiments, "On Your Own" questions (answers are found at the end of the module), and the end of module Study Guide questions. The second book, Course Guide and Answer Key, contains the chapter test booklet, answers to the test questions and solutions to the "Study Guide" questions, grading rubrics for the lab reports and research project, and other parent supports. Purchase of the Textbook and/or Course Guide also includes online access to Book Extras, which include downloadable resources and links for helpful websites, videos, activities and more. Tests are not reproducible. Test booklets may be purchased separately.

Optional but recommended, the Student Notebook provides a suggested daily schedule, grade recording chart, study note prompts, data tables and lab reports to complete, and space to answer the "On Your Own" and Study Guide questions. New to this edition, a helpful “What to Do” box includes daily tasks to complete. Tasks vary and include readings, activities and experiments, study guides, or tests. Not reproducible.