God's Wondrous Machine (Student)

The student book, God’s Wondrous Machine, is divided into three sections: The Electrifying Nervous System, The Breathtaking Respiratory System, and The Complex Circulatory System. Engagingly written, with easy-to-understand text, numerous illustrated diagrams and vibrant photographs, the anatomy presentation is age appropriate. The author introduces normal physiology, as well as common diseases. I appreciate the author’s ability to write about common diseases in a way that is understandable and relatable to children. Topically, students learn how the brain and nervous system work before delving into fetal development, brain injury, paraplegia, polio, and normal and abnormal sleep patterns in The Electrifying Nervous System. The next section, The Breathtaking Respiratory System, covers fetal lung development and premature birth, the healthy respiratory process, and illnesses such as asthma and tuberculosis, as well as damage caused by cigarette smoking. The final section, The Complex Circulatory System, covers the heart, blood, and blood vessels that make up the body's circulatory system. Students learn about blood sucking critters and leeching, heart surgery and transplant, fetal development of the heart, heart disease and the importance of physical exercise. Interwoven within the text are real-life examples and practical application.

The student book provides basic teaching support, including a "How to Use It" section and vocabulary lists separated into 3 levels of difficulty. Distinctive to this program, the vocabulary lists include the word, a pronunciation guide and definition which allows you to create your own vocabulary cards if you chose not to use the Teacher Guide. Adding to the incredible value of these texts, the author has also provided a historical timeline of scientists and medical discoveries related to each body system, along with "Wacky, Weird and Wow" facts, light-hearted kid jokes, and famous quotations. Along with the academically strong, science instruction, Dr. Callentine skillfully integrates Scripture (NIV) into the text helping children understand and appreciate the miracle that is our human body.