Christian Kids Explore series

Name: Christian Kids Explore series
Brand: Bright Ideas Press

by Bright Ideas Press

ScienceGrades K–8

About This Curriculum

<cite index="8-1">Christian Kids Explore Science is a series of four books, on biology, chemistry, physics and earth & space, meant for elementary and middle school students.</cite> <cite index="18-1">The Christian Kids Explore Science Christian homeschool science curriculum features conversational, multilevel lessons.</cite>

What makes it unique: <cite index="16-1">Creation-based units with Scripture and activities</cite> that accommodate multi-age learning in a single curriculum

Christian Kids Explore: Conversational Multi-Level Christian Science Units

Christian Kids Explore is a five-book science curriculum series from Bright Ideas Press covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth & space, and creation science for grades K-8. The curriculum features conversational lessons, hands-on activities, and biblical integration designed for multi-age families using a unit study approach.

Best for

Christian homeschooling families with children across multiple grade levels (K-8) seeking biblically-integrated science curriculum with hands-on activities and conversational instruction style

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum builds substantial science content knowledge, with chemistry covering advanced topics like covalent bonds and organic chemistry, and physics addressing mechanics and electricity.

Reviews note that Christian Kids Explore Chemistry 'covers the basics of chemistry, including some topics often reserved for high school courses' and Physics has 405 pages covering comprehensive physics topics

Hands On IntegrationStrength

The curriculum effectively integrates hands-on activities with explicit instruction through a structured two-session weekly format.

First session is 'teaching time' for reading and discussion, second session is 'hands-on time' for experiments using common household materials like clay, vinegar, and magnifying glasses

Scientific VocabularyStrength

Scientific vocabulary is taught systematically with dedicated vocabulary lists, definitions, and flashcard work integrated into each unit.

Each unit begins with vocabulary words listed, students complete Daily Reading Sheets and write definitions in notebooks, and vocabulary study is described as meeting needs of students 'who like structure and consistency'

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes CD-ROMs with lesson plans and teacher resources, though formal professional development is not mentioned.

CD-ROMs include 'printable lesson plans' and reviews note 'lessons are laid out so clearly that these courses should be very easy to use' with 'minimal lesson preparation'

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum employs direct instruction through conversational reading and discussion before hands-on activities, though the conversational style may vary in explicitness.

Lessons begin with 'reading and discussing the information from the text' and use 'conversational style and familiar examples' with clear lesson structure

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes some retrieval practice through Review-it sections, unit quizzes, and suggested unit reviews, but systematic spaced review is not evident.

Each lesson has 'Review-it section with fill-in-the-blank questions' and 'each unit concludes with a quiz,' plus 'unit review activities' are mentioned

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

NGSS alignment is not mentioned in reviews, and the creation science focus suggests potential conflicts with secular science standards.

No mention of standards alignment in any reviews, and the curriculum 'advances belief in a literal interpretation of Genesis 1 and belief in a young earth'

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com