Issue #18
March 11, 2010

Creation-Based Science and Home Education: Stand Strong

By Davis Carman

The creation-versus-evolution debate rages on. On March 6, 2010, the Associated Press released an article by Dylan Lovan entitled “Top Home-School Texts Dismiss Darwin, Evolution.” The story begins with homeschoolers surprised to find Christian textbooks teach a creationist viewpoint, then continued with evolutionary biologists who say such books are “promulgating lies to kids.” It didn’t take long for the discussion to spread like wildfire.

On March 8, I released an initial response to address some aspects of the AP article. Over the next forty-eight hours, Apologia responded to e-mails and phone calls related to this story. I participated in interviews for newspapers and radio, and discussions ensued on Facebook and other Internet forums.

While watching CNN Headline News present their angle on the story, I tracked a poll on MSNBC that was headed down the same path. The big concern of these news organizations is summed up in the survey question of their polls. The MSNBC poll asked, “Is it OK for home-school textbooks to dismiss the theory of evolution?” The CNN poll asked, “Should home-schools be more regulated?” Although couched in terms of the creation-versus-evolution debate, the tone of the stories suggest that the greater concern is that homeschoolers are exercising their educational freedom and, in the opinion of the talking heads, abusing this right by depriving their children of the science education available in our public schools. Ironically, one of the stories that soon followed on this televised broadcast was titled “American Schools in Crisis.”

This story is certainly about creation-versus-evolution, but it is also about educational freedom.

 
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Resources for Life and Homeschool

 
Exploring Creation with Astronomy
By Jeannie Fulbright
 

This book begins with a lesson on the nature of astronomy, and then it covers the major structures of our solar system. Starting with the sun and working towards Pluto, the student will learn details about all nine planets (or is it eight? - your student will have to decide) in the solar system. Along the way, the student will also learn about Earth’s moon, the asteroid belt, and the Kuiper belt. After that, the student will move outside our solar system and learn about the stars and galaxies that make up God’s incredible universe. Finally, the student will learn about space travel and what it takes to be an astronaut!

The activities and projects use easy-to-find household items and truly make the lessons come alive! They include making a solar eclipse, simulating the use of radar to determine a hidden landscape, making a telescope, and making an astrometer to measure the brightness of a star. We recommend that you spend the entire school year covering this book, devoting approximately two sessions per week to the course.

 
Astronomy Notebooking Journal
By Jeannie Fulbright

Complementing Exploring Creation with Astronomy, the Astronomy Notebooking Journal will provide everything your students need to complete their studies in astronomy. The Notebooking Journal serves as your child's individual notebook, providing a place for them to complete every assignment, record their experiments and display their work.


Included in the Astronomy Notebooking Journal is:

  • A daily Schedule for completing the reading, activities and projects, utilizing a two-day per week plan.
  • Fascinating Facts Templates for your student to record what they learned with both words and illustrations.
  • Templates for completing the Notebooking Assignments.
  • Review Questions, which can be answered orally or in writing as a written narration.
  • Scripture Copywork, with both print and cursive practice - which is a valuable method for memorizing Scripture, teaching spelling, grammar and writing, as well as handwriting practice.
  • Project Pages for the student to keep a record and log of projects they completed.
  • Take it Further ideas for additional activities, projects, experiments, books or videos that correlate with the lesson.
  • Beautiful, full-color, lapbook-style Miniature Books, which the students may wish to create, encouraging them to record facts and information they learned in each lesson. These are then placed on the Miniature Book Paste Page, to display in their notebook.
  • Field Trip Sheets to document astronomy-related field trips they enjoyed during their studies.
  • A Final Review with fifty questions the students can answer either orally or in writing to show off all they remember and know about astronomy at the end of the course

These Notebooking Journals are a perfect compliment to the Exploring Creation series, serving to increase each student's retention of the material they encounter throughout the course and providing an economical means for your child to create a beautiful keepsake of their learning. Each student will cherish their individual notebook as they make it their very own with words and illustrations reflecting all they have learned in their journey through astronomy. Additionally, it provides you with a record of your student''s scientific endeavors throughout the year. Not only that, it is a great tool for review: When your children flip through their notebooks, they will be reminded of the knowledge they have attained, reviewing the material as they enjoy perusing the pages they have created.

 

     
Click here to order your copy!
 
 
Apologia Academy Registration Opens Soon
 
 
Apologia is excited about the Academy's 2010-2011 academic school year. Not only are several classes being added in the Science Department and the Bible, Apologetics, and Worldview Department but we have also added Advanced Science courses. Please visit www.ApologiaAcademy.com for the most up to date information (a few pages are still under new construction, so check back often).
Registration for returning students, full time missionary and military families begins March 29, 2010. General registration opens on April 1, 2010. Keep in mind that all Bible, Apologetics, and Worldview classes are for 1 Semester only. All science classes are full year (2 semester) courses. Also be aware that adults are welcome to register for classes in any Bible, Apologetics, and Worldview Department class(es).
 
Upcoming Events with Apologia
 
  • Mar 12-13



    		•    Baltimore, MD
    Apologia Live Conference for Homeschool Mothers
    Many great speakers!

  • Mar 13



    		•   Kalamazoo, MI
    Kalamazoo Area Homeschool Association
    Dr. Jay L. Wile

  • Mar 19-20



    		•    Rockport, ME
    Homeschoolers of Maine
    Dr. Jay L. Wile

  • Mar 19-20



    		•    Cottonwood Heights, UT
    Utah Christian Homeschool Association
    Joe and Zan Tyler

  • Mar 26-27



    		•   Rockford, IL
    Northern Illinois Science Fair
    Dr. Jay L. Wile

  • Apr 8-10



    		•   St. Louis, MO
    Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators
    Jeannie Fulbright

  • Apr 8-10



    		•   Cincinnati, OH
    Midwest Homeschool Convention
    Apologia Staff

  • Apr 16-17



    		•   Anchorage, AK
    Alaska Private and Home Educators Association
    Dr. Jay L. Wile

  • Apr 16-17



    		•   Frederick, MD
    Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators
    Apologia Staff

  • Apr 16-17



    		•   Duluth, MN
    Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators
    Davis and Rachael Carman

         
     
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