A Stable Beginning: Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd edition ~ a TOS review

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd edition ~ a TOS review

It’s no secret that we love science here at A Stable Beginning! So much so, that 3 of my 4 daughters are doing extra science this year. We love the science curriculum offered from Apologia Educational Ministries. My youngest two daughters, Montana (4^th) and McKenzie (1^st) have been having a blast working through Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition during our Morning Time.

I am sure you have heard of Apologia Educational Ministries if you are a homeschooler. If you are not, let me tell you a little about them. Apologia is one of those companies that everybody talks about and for good reason too! Apologia publishes K-12 Creation-based science and worldview curriculum for
children K-12, inspirational books about homeschooling, and hosts online classes through Apologia Academy.

Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition is the latest elementary release from Apologia Educational Ministries and is geared for grades K-6. Jeannie Fulbright has authored this book and the other 6 books in the elementary series which all follow the Charlotte Mason methodology, however, you can adapt the program into your homeschooling style very easily. Like the other books, this book also includes big, beautiful color photos wrapped inside a hardcover binding.

Apologia: Exploring Creation with Astronomy Review

For this review we were blessed to be able to receive the hardcover book and a copy of the Junior Notebooking Journal along with the a regular Notebooking Journal and the Audio CD to use with the girls. The notebooking journals offer a suggested weekly schedule for completing the lessons each week. Since my girls are such science fanatics we went full steam ahead and aimed to complete the weekly science lessons suggested two days a week and we added in some living books and other hands-on activities for extra enrichment. I will say you do not have to add anything to this program, it is meaty enough, but my girls really crave science so I am trying to keep up with their interests.

The Astronomy book is filled with numerous hands-on experiments that reinforce the lesson along with opportunities for journaling, coloring pictures, completing mini-books and/or matchbooks, and narrations. The 14 lessons include everything an elementary student would need to know about Astronomy including detailed chapters on:

~ What is Astronomy

~ The Sun

~ Mecury

~ Venus

~ Earth

~The Moon

~ Mars

~ Space Rocks

~ Inner Planets

~ Jupiter

~Saturn

~ Uranus

~ Neptune

~ Outer Planets

~ The Kuiper Belt and Dwarf Planets

~ Stars, Galaxies, and Space Travel

The books in the Elementary series are designed especially for kids in Kindergarten through Sixth grade. I love that I can use these books with more than one child and they each individually can take away something from the lesson on their own level. McKenzie is astill in the beginning reader stage so I would let utilize the audio CD we received and let the author, read the text. We would all gather around the text and listen as the text was being read. This worked best for us, since it helps to save my read-aloud voice for the other selections I am reading aloud daily.

My girls especially enjoyed completing the hands-on experiments. Many of the supplies needed for these projects can be found around the house or you can opt to purchase the newly released science kit. A listing of lab supplies needed is also conveniently provided in the book appendix so that you can be fully prepared to teach the lessons each week.

I want to mention a special coursesite that Apologia offers for each course. It took me a few years to learn about the special website so I don’t want you to miss out! The special website link can be found in the front of the book. This link gives you access to information and extra multimedia to enhance your Astronomy studies. Definitely check this out there is valuable extras included.

Montana and McKenzie are digging into Astronomy during our Morning Time 4

days a week. This is my second time through the course since I used it when Madison and Mikayla were younger too. As you have probably figured out by now, we are not strangers to the Apologia world. My oldest at home, Madison (10th), is currently using the Apologia Chemistry, 2^nd edition book while Mikayla (8th) is currently studying General Science, 2^nd edition, and Montana (4th) is concurrently studying Zoology 3: Land Animals along with Astronomy.

Do I recommend Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition for homeschool science ? Absolutely, positively, hands down!!! Be sure to check out this and the other science products Apologia offers if you want a truly God honoring, scientifically sound, and user friendly program for your kids.

Be sure to check out what my fellow CrewMates have said about their own experiences with Apologia by clicking the banner below. I am confident that with Apologia’s comprehensive programs my girls, and son, will be prepared for any science they encounter in college or life. I love that I have figured out what works for our family and I plan to stick it out for the long haul. Which with a comprehensive program such that Apologia offers that is not hard to do!