Biology (6th Ed.)

Description

This course studies biology through four biblical worldview themes: Foundations, Ethics, Design, and Modeling. Units include Living in God’s World; The Pattern of Life; Microorganisms and Plants; Animals; and Human Body. Students learn the processes of homeostasis to biological structures at a molecular, cellular, organism, and population level. They will analyze the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors within different biomes and compare and contrast design, organization, anatomical structures, and related functions in living organisms. Current and historical biological models are also evaluated. Mini labs and more detailed labs offer hands-on opportunities. Throughout the lessons, a biblical framework of ethics is applied to issues related to biology. The updated edition includes new images, additional mini labs and ethics boxes, new teaching strategies, and expanded content in chapter ten. Because of these changes, this edition is not compatible with the previous one. The homeschool kit includes the Teacher’s Manual Part 1 and 2, Student Edition, Lab Manual, Teacher Lab Manual, Assessments, and Assessments Key. A lab kit is available (040242) for this new edition.

  The Teacher Editions Part 1 and 2 give a lesson plan overview and detailed lesson plans using a four-step teaching cycle by engaging (capturing student’s attention), instructing (direct and indirect instruction), applying (lab activities), and assessing (quizzes and tests). Teaching notes are wrapped around reduced copies of the student pages. There are 175 lessons including lab and test days. Differentiated instruction is included for students with different learning styles. Formative assessments help the parent or teacher know if students are mastering the concepts. The Appendices include extra resources and grading rubrics. HomeschoolHub.com offers free digital resources to homeschoolers. Some of these resources include an equipment & materials list, instructional aids & answer key, lesson plan overview, mini lab equipment & materials list, and web links.

  Each chapter of the Student Edition begins with a short article highlighting developments in biology that need to be looked at from a biblical worldview. The text is appealing with lots of colorful illustrations and vocabulary words bolded. The essential question in each section is highlighted in green. Smaller key questions along the sidebars help students answer the essential question. Mini labs are presented in the student textbook. Each section and chapter include a review. “Ethics Features” are articles that students read to apply a biblical perspective to ethical issues related to biology.

  The Lab Manual contains a variety of activities for the parent/teacher to choose from. The equipment needed is listed at the beginning of each lab. Lab questions are mixed in with the procedure steps as students learn to think like a scientist. Some labs include STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities. The Teacher Lab Manual guides students through the labs and provides answers to the questions.

 Assessments include 25 chapter tests and a quiz for each section of the chapters. Assessments Answer Key includes a copy of the assessments with answers in red. ~ Gina

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.