Review: Apologia Anatomy & Physiology Course

Our oldest son has thoroughly enjoyed his science experience while using Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology. Apologia did an excellent job structuring the scientific components and including the word of God in this curriculum. Let’s dive right into our thoughts on these products!

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Text: This book includes over 250 pages of information for your student to discover, perform projects, and gain a clear understanding of anatomy and physiology God’s way. It is filled with a myriad of vivid illustrations and diagrams that allow the surrounding paragraphs to come alive to any student reading. Throughout the book, there are several helpful hints for the children including reminders to explain what they learn to someone else, key vocabulary words in bold print along with their definitions, a subject index, and narrative questions. The “Try This” and “Project” opportunities are scattered within the pages and each offers a deeper understanding of the lesson via crafts, experiments, and discussion. The 14 lessons cover various body systems, nutrition, health, how God designed their immune system, embryology and much more.

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology MP3 Audio CD: Having the physical textbook was great but being able to listen to the text was truly grand. This audiobook is read by the author, Jeannie Fulbright. The past month has been extremely busy for us so we’ve had school in the car twice each week. It has been great to have the MP3 version playing while riding from various appointments and meetings. This format would also be beneficial to auditory learners and slow readers. Parents of students with disabilities that make reading difficult might also prefer this version. This is an MP3-CD that will only play in an MP3-compatible CD player or on a computer. Be sure to check your vehicle capabilities if you plan to travel while learning with this version.

“I think the textbook is really cool because it gives you a lot of stuff to think about with your body and opportunities to test the theories that you think of with exercises. The audio version was easy to listen to and follow along with. I prefer the textbook at home but on our busy Doctor’s appointments days it was good to have the audiobook as well.” Bear, age 10

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Notebooking Journal: Seeing my son use this journal frequently was my favorite part of using this curriculum. He took notes while reading and conducting experiments, drew pictures, learned provided vocabulary words, completed puzzles, and practiced writing via scripture copy work. The journal includes a complete syllabus for your child with each assignment, project, and reading scheduled. There are also reminders to narrate the text, meaning your student must explain what they have read to someone. The narration is perfect practice for comprehension and public speaking, of course. Bear writes large, even in cursive so I allowed him to narrate the answers to the review questions too. The notebook also includes an answer key and mini flap books that will be created while using this curriculum.

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Junior Notebooking Journal: The junior version of the original notebook is geared towards younger students still new to writing or children with limited writing skills no matter their age. This was also designed for students with learning disabilities. The beginning of each session has two coloring sheets for the students to complete while listening to the audiobook. The children are still given activities to complete but much fewer crosswords and overall writing time. The miniature books are still included but the aforementioned review questions are not.

“I think the notebook comes in handy for you to write what you learned in the lesson and what you think including whether you agree, disagree, like, or don’t like it. So far drawing the pictures is my favorite part and I try my best to make it look realistic.” Bear, age 10

Overall, Apologia has definitely won me over with this elementary science course. Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology takes your child on a journey from the history of medicine, through cells, DNA, and on into the body’s systems. Recently Bear was hospitalized and because of this course, he understood his diagnosis and treatment plan. I’ve found that the textbook (or audiobook) provides the details while the notebook activities give children the chance to illustrate their understanding. The whole curriculum uses the immersion approach to explain how and why our bodies work with language and activities appropriate for elementary aged children. The consistent acknowledgement to God for designing our bodies and creating everything was also a daily reminder of how magnificent he is. Finally, I was happy to see a science curriculum where the items needed for experiments are inexpensive, can be easily found in stores, or are most likely already in your home.

“I think this entire system works because the book gives great detail but the notebook allows you to break down what you’ve learned. Plus, you can always come back to your notebook and look at everything you’ve studied.” Bear, age 10