Biology: Through a Microscope

Lab notebook.....pretty non-descriptive, unexciting, general term. Even evokes thoughts of empty pages waiting to be filled, seat work in the making.....and from a homeschool mom's perspective a possible fight waiting to happen since most of my children are kinetic learners who despise seatwork more than anything. Yet that is not what goes on here at all! No way. This book has children seeing God's intricate design in a whole new way. While exploring Science topics God's amazing character and love for His creation is front and center, through the microscope invites children into God's world - a part of the world that goes largely unseen by people. They are invited into a world that is smaller than they have known to see how the basic building blocks of life work together. My 4 year old was listening to conversation we were having about some of the lessons when she chimed in - "how amazing that God likes the tiny things that we can't see!!" Yes!! How amazing!! And how amazing that God uses all things, even the tiny to point to His creation and his character!! A must have for Science lovers!

Biology

BIOLOGY – Masterbooks. I had the amazing opportunity to review the Biology course for Masterbooks. This included the lab book, teacher book and student book. I was excited to see the addition of Biology to their already excellent Science rich curriculum. For me this is so important because in Science the tension between faith and “science” creates a constant testing ground for the faith of students. I often think of the movie “God’s not Dead” when thinking about Science, as well as my own experience in highschool over 20 years ago. Having a curriculum that clearly relates Science to the orderly character and nature of God is a great thing. While students learn about the amazing facets of Biology they are strengthened in their faith as they see the orderly world of God and the amazing handi-work of a Creator that is both personal and all-powerful. This careful examination of Science through the lense of faith is essential for students to begin to solidify their own Biblical-world view and to see how this world view influences every aspect of their thinking process. Scientific procedures and hypothesis always end up pointing back to a divine Creator. Masterbooks has once again worked with a writer to develop a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare students for the University level work that will be required of them post graduation. The scope and sequence is clearly laid out with recommendations for extra material and all the experiments. The extra kit for experiments can be ordered – and I would highly recommend this for the added hands on experience that this will bring. Although, my grade 12 daughter was already doing Chemistry she has opted to start this in the new year to get ½ credit before graduating in June. As a parent I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the order of Masterbooks. You simply open up to the weekly planner and assign dates for completion and move on. At this point students are basically self-taught, or at least my students do their own study. However, It is easy enough for any parent to teach every lesson as well. Great job Masterbooks.

Living Art Lessons

Living Art Lessons Over 16 years of home schooling (whew has it really been that long?!?) I have experimented with several different curriculums. All of them have included an art class or two, and each has left my child a little confused. Some were so technically advanced that like some music theories classes the kids were left frustrated instead of inspired. Being artistically minded I longed for an art class that taught the basics but inspired the children to explore the artistic nature that God had placed in each of them. Then came along MasterBooks. Anyone who reads my reviews will quickly find out that I am a big fan of how organized MasterBooks is about planning. I love the weekly lesson plans which make it super easy to plan out an entire week of work for the kids. At the beginning of this book is a supply list for each week so the week in advance I gather the supplies for the coming week. While the students are learning basic concepts in art they are encouraged to be creative and learn at the same time. The lessons are easily done and the kids enjoy them. This is recommended for grades 4-6. I have children currently in grades 2, 6, 7 so I experimented with the lessons with these three age groups. I found that it seems to suit all three of these well, although the older kids I think got more from the sample lessons we did. We will be implementing this at the semester break for grade 6 and 7. I look forward to seeing the inspired work they will produce. As always God is the central person of this curriculum and this writer does an excellent job of pointing back to the creative nature of God that surrounds and encompasses us. So – in short – if you are looking for solid introduction to art that will create a love for art this would be it .

Adventures in Creation Level 1 - MasterBooks.

Advventures in Creation level 1 is a great answer for early Science classes. Children are invited to join into an adventure – what child does not like the prospect of adventure?!?! I loved this approach to teaching Science because children are tactile learners, they love to be hands on, they love using their imagination. As usual MasterBooks is ahead of its peers in homeschool curriculum in it’s innovative and unique way of interweaving the Gospel truth into every single subject and introducing the challenge of thinking critically about the Truth of God’s Word in a highly secular world. IF you are looking for a curriculum that will give your child both a solid academic foundation and a solid apologetics foundation this is the one. Each day your child experiences the truth of God’s Word and Science. By the end of the year they will see God in Science and Science in God as they explore the order of His creation and the wonder of His Word revealed. For the teacher – this, like all Masterbooks subjects is laid out in such a way that it is easy to follow. The needed supplies are listed in the beginning of the book, the course is laid out week by week and within each week day by day. Parents are able to easily see what work needs to be done. As always Masterbooks does not disappoint! This will set a good foundation for children as they begin their school career and their understanding and foundation in Science.

America's Story 1

Sometimes finding age appropriate, interactive History curriculum is difficult. Sometimes we find ourselves piecing together things. Over the past 13 years in homeschooling I have used and looked at, reviewed and tested various curriculum for my kids. I poured over curriculums with lots of hands on activities and some with so much bookwork that the kids hated the subject. At one point in our homeschooling journey my oldest four declared in unison that they officially hated American History! I was shocked, what would happen if they really did begin to detest history? Then we started our journey with Masterbooks and for the first time the kids were locked in to history. They were actually excited about their reading and their lessons, about the worksheets, the timelines, the projects. But we still did not have anything for my lower grades until the creation of My Story. There are so many things I love about this curriculum; starting with the title "America's Story". Until a child understands that they are part of the ongoing story of the World and more importantly the history of their nation and this world they will not appreciate the fact that they influence how the story unfolds. Furthermore, owning the history of the world and the nation we are a part of helps us to be accountable to the history. It helps us also to appreciate the sacrifice and the struggles of those who came before. And most importantly children see how God was present in all of history and where man strayed from His Word or held to it. The rich history of the United States is important for children to understand. The diversity that makes up this great nation is something to be studied. But it is also important that children gain an understanding of what this nation was founded on, what beliefs impelled our early leaders. I think that too often History is watered down to the point that God is almost completely written out of the books and children do not understand the rich spiritual history of their nation. Like all other Masterbooks subjects this is so easily laid out that prep time is easy. Keeping track of grades and assignments can be done with ease. Parents and siblings can participate in the activities and how much fun to create food or art to better understand what you are studying. In the end I highly recommend this History book.

The Work of Your Hand, Jennifer Hall Rivera, EdD

I was so excited about this resource when I saw it! As soon as I find out I am pregnant I begin speaking Jeremiah 1:5 over my children. From the womb they hear my voice remind them of who has placed them in the womb. This sacred time is something I marvel at - the fact that God is knitting together a tiny beautiful human in my body, unique and beautiful and like Jeremiah 1:5 says set aside for something special. This book reinforces this idea with the unique perspective of hands on learning of how fingerprints make us unique - one of a kind. In a world where children struggle with the idea that they are unique and special individuals, and where the enemy is trying to convince them they are not special this book gives you the tool to explore just how unique they are. Written in a rhyming storybook format with fun and colorful pages it is perfect for early elementary age kids. Each page describes different aspects of the fingerprint and how this combines to make a unique and totally different print for each person. At different times there is an opportunity to stop and do a fingerprint so they can see the whorl, arch or loops found in their prints. At the end of the workbook there are a ton of fun and interactive activities for kids to explore their unique fingerprint and the unique prints of their friends and family. So grab some inkpads in different colours and get ready to explore the world of fingerprints. Enjoy the evidence of how you are created in the Image of God and created very differently from every other person in the world. I highly recommend this. I will be purchasing multiple copies for use at church with out kids as well as copies for my own kiddos.

Introduction to Logic, Jason Lisle - MASTERBOOKS

Informal Fallacies are the words printed directly above the title "Introduction to Logic" on the opening page of this book. What better way to describe what is about to be discussed - "informal fallacies". Those false beliefs or ideas that we accept as truth without realizing the danger. The author defines logic as "the study of the principle of correct of reasoning" (Lisle, pg.5). Therefore, the author states "to be logical is to think rightly; to draw reasonable conclusion from the available information" (Lisle, pg. 5). But then the question must be asked, what is right thinking, how do we define what is true? The author puts for the question of 'by which standard do we judge a particular line of reasoning to be correct or incorrect" (Lisle, pg. 5)? And so begins this excellent resource. I get excited when I see a course titled, Introduction to Logic, the same as I am excited to find courses on Christian Ethics, Rhetoric, theology and apologetics for my children. Why would I get excited? Because I want to equip my children with knowledge that causes their faith to be made strong. It is this type of course that Masterbooks seems to, well, master for lack of a better word. They excel at creating curriculum that challenges children, teens, youth to look at their faith, their world views, their theology and to make it their own. It is one thing to hand down the traditions of faith, to train our children up in the Word - it is quite another thing when that child takes those traditions of faith and that training and looks at it themselves, works through it and owns it. Then that child is ready to face the secular world - equipped like a soldier for battle. Able to defend and stand firm in the faith that they have made their own. 3 John 4 states, "I have no greater joy than to hear [and see] that my childing are walking in the truth". And this is one of those classes that Masterbooks offers that elicits this response from me. When this came up as a review option I jumped on it. I devoured the book within a matter of days, poured over the worksheets, contemplated the material. Then I showed it to my grade 6 son who will have it as course material in grade 7 (I had already ordered the curriculum set when it first appeared on the facebook page). He took it up, at first a little slowly, but then the questions and conversations began. I'll be honest I am a homeschool mom that ranks homeschool curriculum by the conversations I have with my children. If they aren't interested, if it's not making them think critically, if they are retaining information - well, then it's not worth the purchase. This is not the case with this course - this course is one that strengthens critical thinking, helps children to view the world through the lens of Scripture, and helps them to determine what is good logic and what is bad. Not based upon traditions of a denomination but based upon the Truth of God's Word. As to the structure of this course material. Masterbooks makes teaching easy. As with other courses a suggested weekly schedule is given for assignments. Children who engage in this curriculum should be ready to do course work that will challenge them and make them think critically about the world and the faith and how the two fit. But the fruit of these challenges is that children will grow stronger in their faith and by doing so their faith becomes real to them - it is no longer just the faith of their parents or their family, it is no longer just the teaching of their denominations. Because they work through these things their faith is made stronger because they begin to own it for themselves, it becomes central to who they are. So in short, if you are looking for a curriculum and course that will challenge and grow your child spiritually then this is it. If you want a curriculum that will encourage a Biblical world view and help your child think critically and logically about the world they live in - this is it. I highly recommend this course material. I received a free digital copy of both the student book and teachers book. My opinions are not influenced by this but are my own.