Introduce your kids to middle school science from a Christian perspective with overviews of ecology and astronomy from Master Books!


Ecology and Astronomy | Middle School Science

Our middle school boys adore science. It’s an extra-special passion for our youngest–I’m sure he’s headed for some sort of math or science career.

Middle School Science

This past year we used Master Books’ Concepts of Mathematics & Concepts of Physics as a part of our curriculum. The boys loved both Exploring the World of Mathematics: From Ancient Record Keeping to the Latest Advances in Computers and Exploring the World of Physics: From Simple Machines to Nuclear Energy. In fact, they were often the first books they chose to read from their assignment list each week.

(Note: This post was written in 2016.)

For the coming year (7th and 8th grade), I let the boys choose a new “Exploring” pack. Honestly, I don’t think the books will make it to our fall schedule. I’ve had to wrestle both away from my young scientists so I could read them and finish this post.


Bible Road Trip™ Teach Your Kid the Bible


Ecology and Astronomy

Exploring the World Around You by Gary Parker

The subtitle of this text is A Look at Nature from Tropics to Tundra. This is 140-page, 16 chapter ecology text. There is black and white photos and/or artwork on every page, and discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

The author does a great job of covering the subject, and doing it from a Christian Creationist perspective. There isn’t a lot of commentary on the evolutionary perspective, but when there is, it’s respectful. I appreciate that. I also appreciate the fact that stewardship of the earth is taken seriously. Ecological issues are hot topics as worldview really impacts how scientists and the general population apply the knowledge we have. I want my kids to study ecology through the lens of Scripture stewardship and the theological concept of Imago Dei–humans are created in the image of God.

The text is interesting, the narrative moves quickly, and while it covers a wide swath of information it doesn’t oversimplify the facts. I know my boys will love it.

Chapters cover:

  • Building the Right Foundation; Seeing the 4 Cs (The Gospel and Science)
  • Ecosystems and Biogeography
  • Biomes
  • Aquatic Ecosystems
  • Light and the Rhythms of Life
  • Temperature, Water, and Minerals
  • Food
  • Energy Flow
  • Population Balance
  • Population Growth and Control
  • Succession
  • Niches, Habitats, and Adaptations
  • Symbiosis
  • Pollution
  • Energy Problems
  • Preservation and Human Population

The World of Astonomy by John Hudson Tiner

This 172-page volume has 13 chapters. John Hudson Tiner  covers each topic in a narrative manner with lots of black and white artwork, sidebars, and a one-page quiz section and research suggestions at the end. Along with plenty of scientific facts, John Hudson Tiner includes history throughout his books. My boys have really enjoyed that aspect of his work. The stories of the scientists involved in astronomical discoveries are engaging and add depth to the study of the scientific discipline.

Chapters cover:

  • Exploring the Moon
  • Mars
  • Terrestrial Planets
  • Jupiter
  • Saturn
  • Jovian Planets
  • Plutoids and Denizens of Space
  • Telescopes
  • Breakthroughs in Astronomy
  • Deep Sky Wonders
  • Stars
  • Extrasolar Planets
  • Starlighted Nights

When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther for your teens.


Purchase The World of Astronomy and The World Around You  

Exploring the World Around You: A Look at Nature from Tropics to Tundra (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World Around You: A Look at Nature from Tropics to Tundra (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World of Astronomy: From Center of the Sun to Edge of the Universe (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World of Astronomy: From Center of the Sun to Edge of the Universe (Exploring (New Leaf Press))

More Books in the Exploring Series

Exploring the World of Biology: From Mushrooms to Complex Life Forms (Exploring Series)Exploring the World of Biology: From Mushrooms to Complex Life Forms (Exploring Series)Exploring the World of Mathematics: From Ancient Record Keeping to the Latest Advances in Computers (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World of Mathematics: From Ancient Record Keeping to the Latest Advances in Computers (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the History of MedicineExploring the History of MedicineExploring the World of Chemistry: From Ancient Metals to High-Speed Computers (Exploring Series) (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World of Chemistry: From Ancient Metals to High-Speed Computers (Exploring Series) (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World of Physics: From Simple Machines to Nuclear Energy (Exploring Series) (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring the World of Physics: From Simple Machines to Nuclear Energy (Exploring Series) (Exploring (New Leaf Press))Exploring Planet Earth: The Journey of Discovery from Early Civilization to Future Exploration (Sense of Wonder Series)Exploring Planet Earth: The Journey of Discovery from Early Civilization to Future Exploration (Sense of Wonder Series)


Books Make Great Gifts!

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Bible Road Trip™ Year One Sample

Bible Road Trip™ is a three-year Bible survey curriculum. Take your family through the Bible five times from preschool to high school.

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  • Suggestions for further study
  • Crafting about what you’ve learned
  • For your older students: A project to share what they’ve learned
  • Bible Road Trip™ also has some great tools you can use along with it, such as:
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Carlyn BRT Y1 Sample

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Bible Road Trip™ Curriculum

Take a look inside the Bible Road Trip™ curriculum! Let me show you around:


Bible Resources for Your Kids

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Ecology and Astronomy | Middle School Science

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