Sometimes, we search high and low for just the right type of homeschool curriculum, and nothing is ever quite right. Time goes by, and we end up using other materials because – we think – what we want just isn’t out there.
The really frustrating part? Sometimes, it IS already out there – and we just don’t know it yet.
Today’s item is, for me, just exactly that. It lands in my lap NOW, when I really could have used it to best advantage about four years ago. Sigh.
Considering God’s Creation is an all-in-one elementary science curriculum, with a bit of a unit study approach thrown in. Though it was created for elementary students, it’s adaptable for all ages. Junior and senior high students can easily be included in science studies for the whole family, by using these materials as a core, and then adding additional reference materials for more in-depth study. Alternatively, older students can use many of the included worksheets as a supplement to other science curricula.
I’m in love with the workbook. Really. The worksheets are fabulous. Considering God’s Creation arrived a bit late in the school year for us to switch whole-heartedly from what we were already using, so our usage has been hit and miss – in other words, I picked a few things at random. I intend to proceed more progressively though the program next year. (Since I can’t figure out how to retroactively go back 4 years and pull a “redo” out of the hat. [grin])
There are three components to Considering God’s Creation: a 128-page teacher’s manual, a 270-page student book with limited copy permissions, and an audio CD with several memorable songs to help engage students and encourage retention.
The material is broken into 36 lessons, which may be worked through over a year’s time, or with younger students, or desire for more depth, each lesson could easily be spread out more. There is a LOT of information here!
Each lesson includes teacher preparation information, vocabulary for that lesson, an introduction to the lesson’s topic, a song or poem related to the lesson (songs are also on the audio CD), bible reading, notebook work, “evolution stumpers”, which are critical thinking discussion questions about creation and evolution, review questions, and “digging deeper”, suggestions of activities to extend learning.
Considering God’s Creation is easy to use with pre-planned lessons, so, while it does require active teaching, it doesn’t require extensive lesson creation on the teacher’s part. It’s ready to pick up and use. With the varied components of the lessons, it would be easy to adapt for most learners, and interactive and hands-on activity suggestions are included.
Even if your student are older, or you already have a primary science program, I’d still recommend that you take a look at Considering God’s Creation. Even as a supplement, it’s very reasonably priced.
Considering God’s Creation may be purchased from Eagle’s Wings for $29.95. Student workbooks may be purchased for $13.95 each. Eagle’s Wings has numerous other products available, including products previously reviewed by the TOS Homeschool Crew, such as Alphabet Island Phonics and Remembering God’s Awesome Acts. Their newest book, A Complete Guide to Celebrating Our Messiah in the Festivals, includes nearly 700 pages about various Biblical feasts.
To see what other crew members had to say about this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog post, Eagle’s Wings: Considering God’s Creation.
**I received this product for free as a member of the 2010-11 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so that I could provide you with an honest review of it by our family.**
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