Purposeful Design Science uses an inquiry-based,
hands-on approach as students are guided through the wonders of God’s creation
through a biblical worldview. Learning is based on scientific inquiry,
investigations, and engineering design process activities. Each grade level
includes an overview of the foundations of science and covers all science
branches: life (including the human body), physical, earth, and science and
engineering. The courses follow the most comprehensive and challenging
standards for the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) while maintaining a biblical worldview
within the framework of these three questions: Who is God?, Who is Man?,
and What is the nature of the world around you? Students learn the ideal
conditions for life on earth as it points to God’s special design for this
planet and for those He created in His image. As a result, faith and science
are woven together as students read, explore, and investigate the information
given. Each grade requires a Teacher Edition and Student Book. You will also
need the Student Workbook in grades 4+.
The Teacher’s Edition is available as a
spiral-bound book or as an e-book. The Teacher’s Edition provides an overview
of the curriculum, the standards and content of the lessons, a worldview
statement, a suggested teaching schedule, the scope and sequence of the
lessons, assessment information, and safety guidelines. There is also information
on how to access the downloadable teacher resources: blackline masters
(including assessments and tests), digital masters, computer presentations, and
answers to the blackline masters. Blackline masters are meant to be printed for
the student, while digital masters and computer presentations are meant to be
projected to the student’s digital device. All teacher resources, however, can
be printed. Each chapter begins with “key ideas” and the objectives of the
chapter, vocabulary words, materials needed for the lessons, and the list of
standards met. Each lesson gives helpful step-by-step explanations to teach the
lesson and includes the objectives, specific materials for the lesson, any
preparation needed, and directed instruction. There are also "recovery"
and "extension" exercises to further reinforce concepts and meet the
varied needs of learners. These exercises will sometimes use the downloadable
blackline masters and give specific instruction for which masters to use. At
the end of each two-page lesson is a small-format copy of the student pages
with answers. The last lesson of each chapter is review. A glossary (listing
the highlighted vocabulary words from each chapter) and an index are also
included in the back. Obviously, there are a lot of resources in the teacher’s
edition, and it is clearly set up for a classroom; however, the homeschool
parent can easily adapt it to their specific family needs.
The Student Text is required in all grade levels. In
grades 1-3, the Student Text is softcover with consumable, perforated
non-reproducible tear-out pages. There is more content with colorful
illustrations and plenty of activities to aid in the student's learning. In grades
4-5, the Student Text is a hardcover, non-consumable book. A separate Student
Workbook is required at the upper elementary level. This elementary
science program is thorough, meets national standards, and integrates a
biblical worldview throughout the lessons. Even though it is written for a
classroom, the teacher guide is easy to follow and adaptable for homeschool
use. The materials for the experiments and activities are easy to gather and
provide a fun, inquiry-based, hands-on approach. If you desire to help your
student learn the language of science at his/her level while integrating a
biblical worldview, this program will certainly satisfy those goals. ~Gina
