Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day is part of Apologia’s Young Explorer Series.  The 236 page science book is intended for children ages 6 through 13.

Written by Jeannie Fulbright, Flying Creatures on the Fifth Day, begins with animal classification and the dynamics of flight, it then moves onto the study of all manner of flying creatures.  I really enjoy how this text covers “flying creatures” - not just birds, but also insects, flying reptiles, beetles, and bats.

14 lessons are included.  These can be broken down into two week segments, however, it is really up to each family to determine how much they would like to cover and in what time frame.  This is encouraged by the author.   Lessons can be completed in any order (except lesson 1 needs to be first).

Although this is technically a textbook, the style is much different from any textbook I have ever used.  The authors tone is conversational and the text is written directly to the student.  Much emphasis is placed on God throughout as children are encouraged to see Him as the designer.

Another aspect that makes this more than a textbook is the focus and time given to narrations and notebooking.  Narration reminders and questions are found throughout.  Such statements as,  “Explain in your own words who you have learned  about lift, thrust and drag” (lesson 1) help the student think about and process what they have learned.

Notebooking is a large part of this curriculum.  The student is instructed to begin a notebook in which they are to keep all zoology information.  Any illustrations, artifacts and experiment records are to be stored there.  Students are also instructed to write down what they learned after each reading segment.  I do like this idea of a notebook and think it is very effective way to learn.  Written narration reminders are found throughout the text.  For example, in lesson 6 you will find this assignment: “Write down everything you remember from the lesson about courtship rituals, eggs and fledglings.”

Experiments and projects are frequent features here.  I very much enjoy the inclusion of projects as well as experiments.  Students will find instructions for building a birdhouse and an ant farm (among other things).  What kid wouldn’t enjoy that!?

All in all I give Flying Creatures on the Fifth Day a thumbs up.  I do feel it was a little advanced for my 7 year old.  She enjoyed it, but I would prefer to delve into something with this much detail a little later.  Perhaps in a few years when she will be able to complete written narrations and grasp a little more of what is being taught.  I look forward to that.  It would certainly be possible to modify for young children, and to use this curriculum with more than one age group at a time. It is also possible for parents to write the narrations as the child dictates.  I would just prefer to use it mostly as it is laid out.  And I intend to do so.

I appreciate the opportunity to review this product since I would probably have stayed away from it thinking it was like all other textbooks.  While it is certainly still a textbook, it has a lot more to offer than those most of us used in school.

Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day is $35.  To purchase, see table of contents, sample pages and more, click here.

To read what other Homeschool moms thought about this and other Apologia texts, visit the Homeschool Crew.