Apologia - Exploring Creation With General Science, 3rd edition Review

We have used the Apologia Elementary Science series for a few years with all of our children.  I was super excited to get the opportunity for us to review the Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd edition from Apologia.

Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd edition was written especially for students who are transitioning from Elementary school into Middle school.  It was made to give middle school students a more in-depth look at their world around them through their science studies.  The Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd edition that we received included a hardcover student textbook, spiral-bound student notebook, and test booklet with solutions.

Our little Caty is transitioning into Middle school this upcoming school year.   So we were excited to get a chance to see how Caty would enjoy this program.  My only concern was Caty's desire to work more independently.  Would she be able to use this science program on her own?  Yes, she can.  The ease of using this program is amazing!

Toward the beginning of the Student Notebook, there is a suggested schedule for what should be accomplished each during while using this program.  It lists what pages to read in the textbook, and what notebook pages should be completed.  It's broken down into a 33 week schedule with a 4 day week.  This makes it easy for her to check off what she needs and has accomplished.  But at the same time does not keep her bound into needing to do science on a daily basis if we are having a full activity and club week.  She can check out what she has done on the chart and keep track of where she is in the program.  At the beginning of each lesson, there is also a reminder list of what the student should be doing that day.  Double reminder as she sits down right in front of her.

There are areas for students to work on their note taking skills.  Vocabulary and science experiments journaling is included in this notebook area also.  During the first lessons, I really like that the students look at the history of science and the pioneers of science exploration.

The full color textbook pages do not feel overwhelming she says as she reads them.  Sometimes she can feel overwhelmed as she turns a page in a textbook since Caty has been working to overcome a reading comprehension learning disability.  But the highlighted vocabulary words and the wording in the sections match up with wording in her notebook, allowing her to be able to find the material easily as she is working independently.

Vocabulary matching is mixed throughout.  It's not the same in each lesson.  Some weeks, there is a vocabulary fill-in, while others she can work on easier matching lessons.  Mixing it up a little helps with Caty's learning style.

Drawing studies and experiment results in the notebook:

Caty loves science.  I was concerned as she moved up to the more complicated science studies on her own.  But she is doing great.  She is really enjoying these materials.  The Modules in Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd edition include the History of Science, Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific Method, Scientific Analysis and History, Astronomy, Geology and Paleontology, Meteorology and Oceanography, General Chemistry, Life Science, and General Biology and Physics.  A full science study for middle school aged students exploring deeper studies before beginning more specialized scientific studies.

She can easily spend roughly 30 minutes on science each day.  Sometimes a little longer, depending on the amount of reading and her writing that day.  That could take her longer, but generally she is done in in under 45 minutes.  I will be honest, I have not used the Tests with her yet.  She is enjoying her studies so far, and I do not make her fill in the test booklet.  I have so far just asked her questions to check her knowledge and look through her notebook materials.  The tests for each module include questions on not only the book material, but also on the hands-on science experiments they may have done during their study.

The experiments are wonderful and require mostly normal household materials.  If you have a very hands-on learner, then Exploring Creation With General Science, 3rd edition will be a great fit for your student.

This full immersion and hands-on program is a great place to start your middle school student.  It covers so many scientific topics and really starts prepping your student for those upcoming high school studies they will soon be digging into.  I plan on letting Caty continue through her studies in Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd edition at her own pace.

Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew were given the opportunity to review the Exploring Creation With General Science, 3rd edition textbook, student notebook, and test booklet from Apologia.  Click on the box below to see how they used this program in their homes with their students.