Building Blocks in Life Science

Name: Building Blocks in Life Science
Brand: Master Bookshttps://www.masterbooks.com/

by Master Bookshttps://www.masterbooks.com/

ScienceGrades 9–12

Building Blocks in Life Science: Creation-Based Biology Supplement

Building Blocks in Life Science is a creation-based worktext for grades 9-12 that examines evolutionary claims in life science from a young-earth creationist perspective. The curriculum focuses on genetics, biological structures, and DNA while contrasting Darwinian explanations with creationist interpretations.

Best for

Homeschooling families seeking a creation-based supplement to mainstream biology curricula for high school students with some prior biology and chemistry background

Evaluation Criteria

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

Direct InstructionStrength

The worktext format suggests a direct instruction approach with explanatory text followed by assessment questions. The author 'takes the time to explain the scientific evidence' systematically.

Described as having explanatory content where 'Parker takes the time to explain the scientific evidence' with 'fill-in-the-blanks, true/false, circling, matching, and short-essay questions' at chapter ends

Retrieval PracticeStrength

Each chapter includes review questions in multiple formats that would provide retrieval practice opportunities.

Review states 'Each chapter concludes with a page of fill-in-the-blanks, true/false, circling, matching, and short-essay questions'

Ngss AlignmentConcern

The curriculum explicitly rejects mainstream scientific consensus on evolution, making NGSS alignment unlikely as NGSS incorporates evolutionary theory as foundational to life science.

The curriculum presents 'Darwinian explanations with both the scientific evidence and a creationist interpretation' and 'writes from a young-earth biblical perspective'

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum provides in-depth scientific content on selected biology topics like genetics, DNA, and biological structures. However, it deliberately omits major life science areas like fossils and hominids, limiting overall content breadth.

Reviewer notes it 'goes further in-depth on his selected topics than do comprehensive biology texts' but 'tackles fewer topics' and 'skips some topics such as the fossil record'

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum is designed for independent student use with minimal teacher support requirements, though it could serve as a parent-teen study resource.

Review indicates 'Students should be able to work through Building Blocks independently' and suggests it 'might make a great resource for parents and teens to complete together'

Scientific VocabularyNeutral

The curriculum appears to introduce scientific terminology through its content focus on genetics, molecular biology, and biological structures.

Content covers 'genetics, species, variations, mutations,' 'DNA and protein molecules,' and other technical topics that would require scientific vocabulary

Hands On IntegrationInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of hands-on activities or laboratory components is provided in the review.

Review describes it as a 'worktext' with diagrams and illustrations but makes no mention of lab work or hands-on activities

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com