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Science 3 Review by Kate Kessler

Bob Jones University Press
www.bjup.com
http://www.bjupress.com/page/Home

Science can be one of those subjects that is intimidating. To some it is a delight while to others it can be a real stress inducer, especially for the family desirous of giving a good science "class" at home. BJUP has a delightful solution to this potential problem. The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine was given the opportunity to review their Science 3 Homeschool Kit and we found it such fun! This curriculum covers subject areas starting with sound, and then moves into cells, tissues and organs. From there it progresses to animal groups, minerals, rocks and soil, invertebrates, mass and weight, and then covers the various animal groups with backbones. The colorful and informative book ends with work, skin, how plants live and the solar system. With subjects like these, it is easy to see a wide range of information shared with your student. The book is full of interesting pictures along with drawings presented from a Christian perspective. The title page even has a quote good for all of us to keep in mind when teaching our students any subject, and it was nice to see it in this book: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" Ecclesiastes 12:1.

Included in the kit is the hardback book, the Notebook Packet for your child, the Home Teacher Packet, and the very thorough and easy to follow Teacher's Manual. Even if science intimidates you, this is one course that will enable you to feel confident in teaching it. A sample lesson from the Teacher's Manual would go as follows.

First, you will see the "Preview" or "Objective" section that will give you the general idea of the lesson, then lists "Materials" needed for the lesson. BJUP Science is a hands-on science that gives your child tangible examples of the lessons taught. The "Lesson" section will explain how to introduce the lesson and/or give instructions for set-up of a particular item involved in the lesson and then instructs you on how to conduct any investigation relating to it. Your child will read (or you can read together) the pages for this day's lesson and included in the Teacher's Manual are discussion questions to initiate your student's interest in and about the current subject. The Teacher's Manual also gives you instructions on how and what to use in the Home Teacher Packet (worksheets or visuals for the children are included in this). You conclude the discussion time with "Evaluating the Lesson," which then brings your child to the Notebook Packet worksheets. These will involve some writing and experimenting. Also included is the "For Your Information" section that will give additional details on that lesson that you can incorporate into the lesson should you desire.

What I appreciated about this Science Curriculum was that it was very homeschool friendly. It was directed at me, the parent, not the "teacher at the head of the class with the chalkboard." There are even included in the Teacher's Manual "Family Times" that have appealing activities to excite your child about the topics in the next lesson. These are extra and meant to be enriching should you choose to use them. Through these, the whole family can benefit.

If you are interested in checking out the BJUP Science 3, I would direct you to their website at www.bjup.com for more information or ordering details. This is a curriculum that will easily incorporate into your home should you choose and your children will be the better for it.



-- Product Review by: Kate Kessler, Product Reviews Manager, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

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