Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
We have had the opportunity this summer to be among the first to test out the new Experience Biology: Elementary program created by Journey Homeschool Academy.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this new course, especially since the entire year hasn’t been completed just yet (but will be ready soon). But when a curriculum’s motto is, “Engage young minds…and put the FUN back in homeschooling,” I was definitely hopeful that what the company claims would be true.
At first, my kids groaned when I told them they would be watching a video on science each week. But the kids quickly realized that the videos were actually fully engaging while also being educational. I haven’t had any complaints from them when I told them we would be watching a biology video! Each video is around 15 minutes long and is the teaching portion for the week. The founders are the teachers, and it is clear that they are passionate about what they are creating for children to learn.
Each week also includes a memory video, which goes back over the key information that the kids need to know. I had them write down key points in their science notebooks in order to further encourage they memorized that information. These videos are much shorter–only a few minutes–and can be watched each day to help the kids retain important information. I really appreciated this shorter video for my family because my children have a hard time retaining a lot of information when it is given in one large batch. This smaller video is easier for them to take just a few facts each day and really learn them. And the repetition of this shorter information each day made it easier for them to be able to recite the material back to me.
The extra material is especially key to making this a well-rounded science curriculum. This is where you will find memory cards that you can print out for your child to study on their own. It is also where you will find additional reading material to reinforce the lesson. While our library is still not allowing patrons into the building, we have been able to use the Hoopla app to find several of the recommended titles to borrow online. It’s a great way to find some of the titles suggested for this course without breaking the bank.
There are also hands-on activities that allow the student to actively see what they are learning. My children especially love these activities and probably learn more from them than from the reading or videos!
I also found the handwriting pages to be an added bonus. This was a great way for my kids to practice their cursive and handwriting while, again, reinforcing the lesson. Even my six year old was able to follow along and do this part of the lesson.
And of course, each week includes a quiz to see what the children have learned that week. My kids did fairly well on remembering what they were taught and didn’t complain too loudly that they had to take a quiz!
Currently, there are just 16 lessons loaded, but they are working quickly to get the rest of the lessons ready for the fall. However, you have plenty of time to get started on the curriculum before you get to that point.
Although the biology course is the only one we were able to review, there are four other courses available as well–Experience Astronomy: Elementary, Experience Biology: Upper Level, Experience Astronomy: Upper Level, and Equipped (an upper level Bible survey course).
We are thoroughly enjoying working through this curriculum this year. We have had to slow down just a bit due to some life challenges, but we are still moving forward and working through the curriculum at our pace–one of the benefits of homeschooling!
If you want to hear what others are saying about some of the other products by Journey Homeschool Academy, check out our Homeschool Review Crew here:
katiecruicesmith.com 