Principles, Theories & Precepts of Biology Chapter 1 Text

Items listed in this section tend to be complete science programs with a teacher and student component, requiring few supplements besides science supplies.

Designed specifically for self-study (although they can also be used in a classroom situation), these courses have a few things in common with Alpha Omega LIFEPACs. First of all, the course is broken down into booklet-sized increments. Secondly, the work is primarily reading and workbook activities. Hands-on "lab" activities are not incorporated into the courses, although you could add them on fairly easily. One major difference, however, is that Paradigm Accelerated courses are not written from a religious standpoint, although they promote good values and are more conservative than most other secular curriculums. One final general note: Paradigm's courses are designed to appeal to all students, even those who may not be interested in science. If your student already loves science and is looking towards a science-related major in college, they may need a more rigorous program.

The courses are made up of text booklets, activity booklets, and a teacher's resource kit. (For some courses, the text portion is available on CD-ROM in .pdf format.) All of the instruction to the student is found in the text. Text booklets each represent a chapter of the course and typically contain three sections, each of which is split into five lessons, or 15 lessons per chapter. Each lesson is between three and four pages in length, and they are usually focused on a specific topic. Definitions of introduced vocabulary used in the lesson and black-and-white illustrations and diagrams further augment each lesson. Lessons always end with a Life Principle, which is usually a thought-provoking quote from a notable individual that relates in some way to the lesson. After the lesson has been read, the student can complete the corresponding activity pages which are typically made up of short-answer, multiple-choice, true/false, and "list" questions that reinforce the lesson. Students are also asked to write the Life Principle for the lesson. There are about 15-25 questions for each lesson which is a fair amount, considering the length of the lesson itself. After five lessons and lesson activities have been completed, there is a review quiz. Quizzes include approximately 50 questions, mostly short answer and multiple-choice. Chapter tests are taken after a whole chapter has been studied and are about 50 questions in length. Quizzes and chapter tests are found in the Teacher's Resource Packet, which also includes complete answer keys and forms for teacher use. Please note that no answers are found in the student materials. Teacher's Resource Kits are available as a CD-ROM with .pdf files or as a loose-leaf paper copy with the CD-ROM. The content is identical between the CD and the paper copy but there may be times when one form or the other is more convenient. (Please note the publisher is transitioning from CD-ROMS to digital downloads.) - Jess

Packed with interesting facts, anecdotes of famous scientists and discoveries, and straightforward explanations, this is an interesting an easy-to-use biology course. It is made up of 6 chapters of text, 6 activity books and a teacher's resource kit. The teacher's resource kit is available in .pdf format on CD-ROM, or as a digital download packaged with supplemental printouts. We also offer a full course kit which includes all the student and teacher materials (printed plus digital download). Topics covered include the scientific method, the chemical elements of life, biological chemistry, cell structure, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis and meiosis, the principles of heredity, DNA structure and replication, genetics, mutations, Darwin and the theory of evolution, the fossil record, Earth and how it supports life, biological classification, the kingdoms of living things, bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and more. Although this course is not written from a religious viewpoint, evolution is carefully examined as a theory and its faults are discussed, leaving the decision up to the student. Completion of this course will fulfills most state requirements for one high school biology credit, or you may choose to add Precepts of Anatomy and Physiology for what may then equal two biology credits (requirements vary by state). - Jess

In this course, the publisher takes a bold approach by challenging popular theories through use of the scientific method, application of DNA, and recent research to point out strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories. Like all PAC courses, Biology may be completed in a classroom under guidance of a teacher, or through guided independent study with minimum student dependence on the teacher/proctor. The design of Biology texts and activities enables students to learn the material with or without oversight by an experienced science teacher. Lab projects are not required, but may easily be conducted as directed by the teacher/proctor. Laboratory experiments (actual or observations) may be added as needed to earn transcript credit. The Principles, Theories, and Precepts of Biology is laced with QR-Codes which can be scanned with a smartphone or tablet to access videos to further explain a topic or show an experiment. The videos are optional and students are not required to watch the videos to complete activities, quizzes, or tests.

The Principles, Theories, and Precepts of Biology is packaged in six soft-cover texts and six companion student activity books. This course is designed to satisfy most state requirements for one high school transcript credit. Students who complete the 90 lessons, 18 quizzes, and/or six chapter tests will have a strong foundation for college studies in science and theories about the origin of life.

NOTE: You can add our two chapters on Human Anatomy & Physiology to enable students to expand their Biology studies and/or select six of eight particular chapters needed to satisfy academic components stipulated by state standards for one transcript credit in Biology.