Schoolhouse Review: Apologia Zoology 3

And GOD said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds:  livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind."  And it was so.  GOD made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds.  And GOD saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:24-25

I'm a HUGE fan of Apologia Educational Ministries and when the opportunity to use Exploring Creation with Zoology 3:  Land Animals of the Sixth Day came up, I couldn't wait to get started.  We hadn't yet studied Zoology at Long Leaf Academy, but I KNEW that my Princess would be all over Land Animals because that girl has a LOVE for all things animal.  She is so passionate about all living creatures that I KNEW this would be a great fit for her.   I was right!


The first thing that arrived at our house was the Notebooking Journal  and she eagerly took it to her seat to see the colorful stickers and activity pages.  She was so excited to look for horses throughout the book and was even happier when she found them.  It was perfect to whet her appetite for our studies.


Arriving just in time to start our school year again in January, Apologia's Land Animals was a good start for my "Great Plan."  I've been planning to put a large emphasis on science and math after Christmas (now that our LEGO season is over), but I knew I had to make it both fun AND interesting.  Over our Christmas Break, the Princess finished her very first chapter book all on her own -- a horse book, of course.  I am PRAISING big time because she has struggled in a mighty way with reading.  I so wanted to fuel this new desire to read with "school" items that she WANTS to dive into.  Land Animals was the perfect place to start.  I trust Apologia and know their elementary science books are written at a level and in a narrative way that works well for her.

Because it was full of the one thing she enjoys most (animals), the Land Animals study has proven to be a HUGE blessing.  The Princess has delved into the pages of the accompanying Notebooking Journal  and is working on creating a beautiful resource of facts, pictures, scripture and maps to keep and treasure for years to come.  A spiral-bound book of projects with over 250 pages, the Notebooking Journal has become an invaluable part of our everyday.  The Princess simply LOVES working with it and takes great delight it making it "just perfect."  How's that for hands-on?

Although the Apologia website lists Zoology 1 (Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day) as a prerequisite for Land Animals, we jumped right in to see for ourselves and found that Land Animals was a perfect stand-alone choice for us.  As with all of the Apologia Elementary Sciences, Land Animals is ideal for students in K - 6th grade.  My 6th grade Princess can't seem to get enough and my 8th grade Boy Scout has even enjoyed looking through the pages as well {but don't tell him I told you}.

The beautifully illustrated hardcover textbook has 288 pages PACKED with GOD's wonder.  The 14 lessons offer ample material to fill an entire year's worth of science study of all of the land animals created on the sixth day.  Students find themselves completely immersed in their study of land animals as they explore habitats, identify markings, and come to understand migratory patterns and they enjoy the many activities, games, and experiments included throughout the text.   As always, the course website offers an additional wealth of information for learning fun.  My children enjoy visiting the fantastic websites that are linked with each chapter and the Princess especially liked learning about different careers involving horses.  (I personally enjoyed watching the many recommended videos of Asian elephants in preparation for my trip to southeast Asia.)  We've put the Boy Scout "in charge" of finding us interesting things to read and watch from the course website.  I like that Land Animals makes it easy for everyone to be involved.

I've used several science curriculum from Apologia Educational Ministries through the years -- Botany, Astronomy, A & P, General Science, Physical Science Biology and Chemistry --  but Apologia Zoology had been on my "wish list" for sure.  I wholeheartedly recommend ALL of these to you and now, I add the Zoology collection to my recommended list as well.  You can purchase Zoology 3:  Exploring Creation with Land Animals of the Sixth Day for $39.00.  We have also gotten much benefit from the Zoology 3 Notebooking Journal available for $24.00 (or check out the Junior Notebooking Journal for younger children.  It's full of coloring pages and activities for young learners.)

For even more information, make sure to check out Apologia on FaceBook.

~Disclaimer:  I was given the opportunity to use Zoology 3--Land Animals by Apologia as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  The opinions stated are mine and mine alone.  I was not paid to share my thoughts and feelings with you.  You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew thought of  Apologia Science HERE. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
~



Pin It Now!