Cathy Duffy Reviews home > Science > Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space

Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space

Publisher: Bright Ideas Press
Author: by Stephanie L. Redmond
Review last updated: 2009		 Instant KeyPublishers InfoPricing

Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space

Stephanie Redmond wrote Christian Kids Explore Biology, one of my Top Picks. Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space follows the format of the first book and is equally appealing.

I like the balance of information and activity in this science curriculum for grades K through 6, all presented within a single 360-page book.

Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space is set up, ideally, for two 90-minute block sessions a week. However, you can break lessons down into more frequent lessons if you prefer.

The first session each week is "teaching time." It begins with reading and discussing the information from the text. Students complete a Daily Reading Sheet (reproducible form in the appendix), write words and definitions for their vocabulary list in a notebook, and possibly work with flashcards. Younger students might do les writing, and older students will do extended reading or research from real books and other resources from the list provided.

The second session is "hands-on time" for experiments or activities. These don't require expensive or exotic materials, but it will take a little work to gather the necessary items (e.g., clay, funnel, sun-sensitive paper*, atlas, globe, vinegar, baking soda, chewing gum, paper plate).

There are also some artistically done coloring pages—one per unit. Colored pencils are the perfect medium to use for these. The book also has numerous black line illustrations that children might also color.

Students should each maintain a three-ring binder in which they keep all of their science work, including coloring pages. You will need to select activities and adjust the amount of work required according to the ages and abilities of your children. Student in grades K-2 will probably do little work beyond the actual lesson time, while you will give additional reading, research, and writing assignments to those in grades 3-6.

Vocabulary words, timeline entry items, and lists of materials needed are at the beginning of each unit. Each unit concludes with a "test," an assignment to create a "folderbook" (directions in an appendix), and a composition assignment.

Other reproducible pages in the appendix include a Daily Reading Sheet, Field Trip Journal form, "Checking it Out" experiment form, "Write About It!" worksheet for unit wrap-up composition, maps, and numerous other worksheets pertaining to the lessons. In other appendices are Scripture memory cards, recipes, supplemental activities such as word searches, and lengthy lists of recommended resources for each lesson. Resource lists include both fact books and literature as well as videos.

This course does a good job of offering suggestions that meet the needs of different learning styles--from hands-on activities to sociable group work or independent research.

There are six units with a number of lessons per unit—24 lessons in all. Some lessons could easily expand beyond one week. So the curriculum should take about one school year to complete.

A biblical worldview is presented throughout with the idea of God as the master designer a key theme. Unit 2, lesson 3 advances a creationist/young earth perspective, although it does present the broader context of scientific disagreement as well as disagreement among Christians. Most recommended resources for the lesson are secular and present alternative explanations.

* I didn't see any help for locating sun-sensitive paper in the book, but it's readily available at some craft supply stores. An online search will bring up a number of sources such as Oriental Trading.

Pricing

  • All prices are provided for comparison only and are subject to change. Click on prices to verify their accuracy.

    • Christian Kids Explore Earth And Space

    Christian Kids Explore Earth And Space

    Stephanie L. Redmond

      Instant Key

      • Learning Styles: all
        Suitable for:         for one-on-one or group work plus independent work for older students
        Audience: grades K-6
        Need for parent/teacher instruction: high for young students, low for older
        Prep time needed: moderate to high
        Teacher's manual: this book is your manual
        Religious perspective:  Christian

      Publisher's Info

      • Bright Ideas Press

        PO Box 333
        Cheswold, DE 19936

        877.492.8081
        www.BrightIdeasPress.com