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Health (BJUP)

Health (BJUP)

This text can be used for one or more years from 7th through 12th grades, depending upon requirements in your state and when you wish to teach the various topics. Bob Jones University Press' philosophy is evident throughout this text: alcohol and tobacco should never be used, sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, etc. Aside from these positions, the book takes a "middle of the road" (for want of a better way of describing it) Christian approach to topics. For example, the issue of global warming is presented but accompanied by the caution that there is no actual proof it is happening. Traditional medicine is the standard with no mentions of herbology or chiropractic services.

Steady dating is viewed as a final step before engagement rather than a desirable activity for most teens. Even though many home educating families might prefer that dating be eliminated apart from an actual courtship situation (and occur there only within proscribed limits), the BJUP Health textbook's position actually is more conservative than that of most Christian churches. I appreciate the fact that, in keeping with their statement that sexual activity outside of marriage is forbidden, the authors then spend only minimal time addressing issues related to sexual activity—no how-to's, brief descriptions of sexually transmitted diseases, bare mentions of AIDS (a little extra information on AIDS and STDs is in the Appendix), and no mention of homosexuality. For those who want more information on such topics as well as other information appropriate for older students, a softbound book of 236 blackline masters is available. You can copy out whichever pages you choose. Additional information on sex education can also be found in the teacher's edition.

Scripture references are referenced and quoted throughout the text to identify biblical positions on different issues. General topics covered are the human body systems, mental and emotional health, social health, nutrition, exercise, safety, first aid, diseases, personal hygiene, environment and health, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and growth and development. The presentation is often banal, spending time on such topics as how to wash your hair and answering questions like "What is an accident?" Too often, it repeats the obvious. I assume that this is just in case a teen has never heard some of this before, but it does get boring. Occasionally the content gets into a "meaty" topic, but parents will need to spend time on supplementary discussion and activities if they want students to enjoy the class. Some suggestions are included in the teacher's edition, but I suspect that current events and personal experiences will provide the best opportunities for such discussions and activities.

Frequent "Section Reviews" offer questions that can be used to assess student comprehension as you go through each chapter. At the end of each chapter are vocabulary terms, content questions (which might be used as tests), and application questions that stretch into some worthwhile activities.

You should purchase both a student text and a teacher's edition. The teacher's edition contains much of the lesson presentation, teaching hints, and answers printed in a border surrounding a reduced picture of each student text page. Pictures are only in black-and-white in the teacher's edition, while they are full color in the student text. If you don't mind your student having access to the answers, you might get away with purchasing only the teacher's edition. If you want test questions in addition to the content questions at the end of the chapters, separate test packets are available. One packet is for students in grades 7 thorugh 9, while another is for older students. Alternatively, you can purchase the TestBank book and construct your own tests or use the TestBuilder software which includes a bank of questions for this and other BJUP textbooks.