Biology: A Search for Order in Complexity, second edition

Name: Biology: A Search for Order in Complexity, second edition
Brand: Christian Liberty Press

by Christian Liberty Press

ScienceGrades 9–12

Biology: A Search for Order in Complexity: Creation-Based Biology Text

This is a challenging, academic biology textbook from Christian Liberty Press designed primarily for classroom instruction of college-bound high school students. The curriculum presents traditional biology content from a creation science perspective, teaching evolutionary concepts while providing creation-based rebuttals.

Best for

High school students in Christian schools or homeschool families seeking rigorous biology instruction from a creation science perspective, particularly those with teacher support available

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum appears to build substantial biology content knowledge with sophisticated chemistry integration and comprehensive academic coverage.

Reviewer notes it's "slightly more challenging" than other texts, includes sophisticated chemistry in unit two, and is described as "solidly academic for college-bound students" with dense content formatting

Teacher TrainingStrength

Strong teacher support is provided through detailed manuals and instructional guidance.

Teacher's manual includes teaching suggestions and multimedia resource recommendations, with additional teacher guides for laboratory work

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum is designed for teacher-led instruction with comprehensive teacher support materials.

Teacher's manual "assumes that instruction is being provided by a teacher" and provides teaching suggestions and multimedia resource recommendations

Ngss AlignmentConcern

Unlikely to align with NGSS standards due to the creation science perspective, though it covers traditional biology topics.

Text "teaches a creation viewpoint" and provides "rebuttal" to evolutionary concepts, which would conflict with NGSS's treatment of evolution as scientific consensus

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes multiple levels of questioning and review but limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice.

Features section questions, chapter review questions, and "Taking it Further" research questions, though these appear more focused on comprehension than retrieval

Hands On IntegrationNeutral

Lab work is provided through a separate manual but requires significant equipment and is better suited for classroom rather than individual use.

Companion Student Laboratory Manual contains 54 lab activities requiring lab equipment, chemicals, and dissection specimens, though reviewer notes they're "best suited for a full classroom lab"

Scientific VocabularyInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence available about explicit vocabulary instruction, though the academic rigor suggests appropriate scientific terminology.

Text described as academically rigorous with dense content, but no specific mention of vocabulary instruction methods

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com