As you may know, our topical focus for the 2014-15 school year is Ecosystems. In keeping with this theme, our recommended science curriculum for the 2014-15 homeschooling year is God’s Design for Chemistry and Ecology!
This three part curriculum includes: 1) Properties of Matter; 2) Properties of Atoms and Molecules; and 3) Properties of Ecosystems. This curriculum was written by homeschooling parents and electrical engineers Richard and Debbie Lawrence and is now produced by AIG.The progression between Physical Science, Chemistry, and Ecology implicit in the design of this curriculum is implicit in Creation and is a very helpful way to understand the universe and natural laws.
Properties of Matter provides a good broad overview of science, properties of matter, and gives your children simple and effective activities that teach hallmarks such as units of measurement, accurate measurement, and beginning to use and understand the periodic table of elements. Properties of Molecules and Atoms gives a thorough overview of Chemistry, something many students don’t see until high school. Lastly, Properties of Ecosystems, introduces the science of ecology, broadly overview terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and deals with a few of the challenging topics of man’s relationship with the land including pollution, endangered species, and global warming.
These well-illustrated and easy to use books also include several biographies of important science heroes, easy to set up activities, and quizzes and tests for older students. God’s Design for Chemistry and Ecology is designed for 3rd-8th grade.
As part of our efforts to equip and encourage homeschooling parents this year, we will be walking through book 3, Properties of Ecosystems, and providing supplemental information, answering questions, and demonstrating the activities. Supplemental information will include our Ecosystem Spotlight, which will give detailed descriptions of specific ecosystems throughout North America and beyond! We hope you enjoy this year’s science learning as a family and we strongly encourage you to join us in making Ecosystems your focus this school year!
