Exploring Creation with Botany Including Free Tests

Four years ago when we began homeschooling I decided to try the elementary science books by Apologia.  I also wanted to follow the guidelines of the Well Trained Mind  and start with life science.  As I was new to homeschooling I did quite a bit of research and came across Apologia and liked what I saw, so I purchased all of Exploring Creation books on animals and the botany book as well.  At that time the publisher had not yet published the human body so for that I used the Kingfisher Encyclopedia.  

To be able to incorporate all the books in one year we did Exploring Creation with Botany over the summer, but I must admit at the time I was not looking forward to Botany.  I couldn't wait to start Swimming Creatures, but the study of plants was not high on my list.  And then we began the course and I was amazed!  I don't know how it was accomplished, but my children and I had a blast and we (and yes WE) learned so much.  The lessons and projects were both informative and enjoyable.  By the end of the summery my kids were able to discuss and even show others the difference between a monocot and dicot, what is a lichen, different types of seeds and so much more; but most importantly they were able to articulate why the Earth is young and had the facts to back them up.

One drawback I could foresee in this course is tackling it during the winter if you live in the north.  Many lessons and projects require live plants, leaves, moss, lichen, ferns, flowers etc. and these may be hard to come by in a cold, northern climate; also, the children learned so much more by being able to go outside and find what was being discussed in the book.  But speaking from experience the book can be completed during the summer by just spending a 1/2 hour or so a few days per week. 

I did not purchase the notebooks for botany and so I can not discuss that, but we never saw a need for them.  What I did do was type up all the questions the publisher had for each chapter and had my older child write in the answers and for my younger I asked the questions and then wrote in the answers.  We did most of the labs or projects and I even wrote up two tests to go along with the book.  I have linked the questions and the two tests if you are interested.  

Our family not only learned a lot from Exploring Creation with Botany, but we had a lot of fun as well.  Whenever someone asks what science curriculum to purchase I always send them to Apologia.  

Botany Questions
Botany Test #1
Botany Test #2