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There certainly is a tendency to water down scientific concepts for the elementary student until there isn’t much of interest left! Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. This science series, geared towards elementary-aged children, focuses on science from a biblical viewpoint, is flexible enough to be used with children of slightly different age levels and learning styles, is open-ended, and best of all, has lots of fun hands-on activities that are sure to impress the kids. In the beginning of each book is a helpful orientation to gear you up for teaching science. The authors are very sensitive to the needs of children of different learning styles such as auditory, visual, kinesthetic, relational, and analytical. They have made a significant effort to include a range of activities and ways of presenting material that will appeal to students with varying learning styles. In fact, they even mark activities with small icons to indicate which learning style the activity is best suited to. Following the initial orientation is a very helpful section on how to teach from a solid creationist viewpoint, and how to answer questions posed by evolutionists, which you will inevitably come across in supplemental science texts and books. The authors clearly lay out several common "takes" on the origins of life, and explain why they believe the literal biblical account of creation. Several pieces of evidence to counteract common evolutionary myths are also presented to help you along. Now that you’re firmly grounded and ready to jump into science with the kids, it’s time to dive in!

Now, which branch of science would you like to begin with? Four series in this terrific program are available now, including God’s Design for Life, God’s Design for Heaven and Earth, God’s Design for Chemistry, and God’s Design for the Physical World. God’s Design for Life and God’s Design for the Physical World are useable with grades 1-6, while the Chemistry and Physical World series are intended for grades 3-7. The grade span was intended to be fairly open so homeschooling families could use the same program with children at slightly different levels, with little adjustment. Each 3-book series can be completed in a year if 3 science lessons are done each week. The books in each series are similar in format, so you don’t have to worry about re-orienting yourself every time you jump into a new topic. The lessons themselves are relatively short, a couple pages at a time, and a short list of the necessary around-the-house supplies needed for the lesson is found at the beginning. There are a few items (usually optional) which you may want to purchase from a science supply store, or pick up at your local discount store (different types of seeds, plaster of Paris, compass, copper wire, etc.). At times, supplemental books are recommended, which you may want to obtain in advance from your library.

Lessons begin with a textual portion, which you may opt to have children read on their own, or read aloud as a group. A simple follow-up activity is then included for students to play with the concept, and "see it in action." Some of these include creating your own "cell" out of a small zip-top bag, yellow gelatin, and small edible objects poked into the gelatin to represent different organelles (from God’s Design for Life). Or the activity on tectonic plates, where students moisten a few sheets of newspaper, and pushing from each side, create mountains (from God’s Design for Heaven and Earth). Or the one where kids compare the viscosity of five different liquids by testing them and touching them (from God’s Design for Chemistry). All the activities demonstrate well the concept that has just been read about, and are sure to make a good 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’m 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. Quizzes are placed periodically following related lessons, and feature short answer questions in different formats. Each book also includes a unit test at the end. Appendices to the books include answers to the test and quizzes, a resource guide, master supply list, and a list of the reproducible pages in the book. The format of the lessons is loose enough to allow you to insert your own supplemental readings and activities as well. Overall, the authors have done a great job creating a quality, consistent, and all-in-one-book science curriculum, and in presenting the material in a way that most kids will find appealing and interesting. I have a small suspicion that Mom may in fact, come to enjoy science as much as the kids! - Jess

Customer Reviews

 
Lisa S. from new mexico wrote the following on 04/21/2008:
I have six children ages 2 - 11 and I needed a science program that was easy to teach and could be tailored to multiple ages. We have used this program for 2 years and we love it. Before, we had tried several other programs, but this has been, by far, our favorite.

 
Carrie S. from Michigan wrote the following on 08/09/2008:
We have really enjoyed this series. I was looking for something that I could do with all of the kids at one time. I have 3 kids in 3 different grades so when we first started I was doing science for each one. I was using a lot of time to do that for each one and decided that I needed something that I could with all of them. This program is very understandable for the kids as well as for me. The supplies for the experiments were things that we mostly already had at home. In comparison to some other products that different friends have used it is much easier to understand and teach. As we have studied I have learned as much as the children and am looking forward to doing to rest of the series. As for the various learning styles of my children...my son is an auditory learner and my daughter is a hands on learner and they both are doing very well with the program since it has both aspects.

 
Michelle C. from Nashotah, Wi wrote the following on 03/21/2009:
We have really enjoyed this series. It gives an awesome view of science from the foundation of the Bible and creation. I plan on using all the books in this series with my kids. What I really love is that most all of the supplies needed for experiments are things you can find right in your own home. The only downfall is lack of color pictures, but I just supplement with books from the library on the given topic. Editor's note: in the revised edition of the God's Design series that is being published by Answers in Genesis, the pictures are full-color.

 
Sheree B. from Valley Center, CA wrote the following on 09/27/2007:
If you are looking for a multi-sensory science program that is simple to incorporate into an elementary science program without just a bunch of worksheets, this is it. It is perfect for families who have multiple children, because you can go as simple as introducing scientific concepts to as deep as being able to develop a research or science project out of a study. It is easy to use and very cost effective because you are able to make as many copies as you need and all the reference and materials needed or recommended are listed for you. The children have fun and they are learning, but more importantly, they see God's awesome design as they learn! Personally, I have recommended this to everyone and so far almost all (about 90%) have switched over to this science curriculum for their children ranging from K-6.

 
Kathy A. from Southeast Wisconsin wrote the following on 02/24/2008:
After using a science curriculum which based its teaching on Usborne books and with only one science experiment per week our child asked for a change. After reviewing several science curriculums my husband and I chose the "God's Design for Life" series. God's Design for Life is written by Debbie and Richard Lawerence from a "creationist/intellingent design" science viewpoint. The lessons are parent/child friendly, presenting scientific concepts in an easy to understand format. The lessons follow the format of introducing the topic, making observations, doing experiments and wrapping it up. There are icons which aid the parent in selecting the appropriate activities for their child according to their learning style. At the end of each book is a unit test, conclusion and appendices. To round out your science curriculum all you need are the suggested library materials in the appendix and you have a 36 week science curriculum. The series contains eleven instructors guides for K-8 covering the animal kingdom, heat and energy, the human body, inventions and technology, machines and motion, planet earth, the universe, weather and water, properties of atoms and molecules, properties of matter and the world of plants.

 
Michelle S. from Japan wrote the following on 03/05/2008:
I was a little apprehensive buying this World of Plants book to use with my three children. I didn't need to worry at all. My children are enjoying the engaging activities and learning more than I ever thought they would or could about plant life. I'm learning along with them, which makes this a wonderful family centered learning experience. I highly recommend this book and look forward to getting the other books in this series.