Description

This comprehensive life science program includes a modern and up-to-date textbook, lavishly illustrated and featuring a conversational style, that covers:

Basic chemistry
The six kingdoms of living organisms
Human anatomy
Nutrition
Disease
Ecology
Contemporary issues, such as the myth of overpopulation
Catholic scientists, such as Jerome Lejeune and Paul Xu Guangqi

The workbook features a wealth of step-by-step experiments, projects, and resources written for and by homeschoolers, including:

Keywords for memorization
Diagramming assignments
Seven Formal Labs (ideal for preparing the student for laboratory sciences at the high school and college level)
Introduction to the compound microscope, instructions on how to prepare and view microscope slides, and optional microscope assignments
Research assignments with detailed instructions for researching, writing, and citing sources for science research papers
Removable answer key

Recommended for seventh- through ninth-grade use. A daily schedule for this program is available in CHC Lesson Plans: Seventh Grade or Life Science Daily Lesson Plans.

Introduction: Life functions, scientific method, controlled experiments
Measurement: Metric system, mass, area, liquid volume, temperature, heat
Collections: Leaf or insect collection
Basic Chemistry: Atoms, molecules, Periodic Table of the Elements
Cells: Parts of plant and animal cells, osmosis
Simplest Cells: Viruses, archaeans, bacteria, Louis Pasteur
Protists: A Microscopic Menagerie: Taxonomy, amoeba, paramecium, euglena
The Fungi: Types, classification, and parts of fungi
Plant Classification: Algae, lichens, mosses, ferns, conifers, flowering plants, monocots, dicots
Plant Structure and Response: Root systems, stems, leaves, tropisms
Plant Growth and Reproduction: Binary fission, budding, sporulation, pollination, fertilization, germination, mitosis
Animals: Sponges, jellyfish, worms, mollusks, arthropods, starfish
Chordates: Chordates: lampreys, sharks, bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals
Nutrition: Nutrient groups, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, chemosynthesis
Testing for Nutrients: Chemical tests for energy and nutrients, filtering
Introduction to Systems: Systems and life functions, human life stages
Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Bones, joints, muscles
Digestive System: Mechanical and chemical digestion, enzymes, absorption
Circulatory System: Systemic and pulmonary circulation, blood types
Respiratory System: External respiration, cellular respiration
Excretory System: Lungs, large intestine, liver, kidneys, skin
Endocrine System: Hormones, endocrine glands, metabolism
Nervous System: Neurons, brain, spinal cord, senses
Disease: The Fight for Life Noninfectious and infectious diseases, disease defenses, medical breakthroughs
Animal Behavior & Reproduction: Reflexes, instincts, sexual reproduction, meiosis, genetics
Ecology: Oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen cycles; energy and food chains

Product Details

TEXTBOOK
Product Code: LS-T
Format: Softcover
Binding: Perfect bound
Page Count: 275 pages
Dimensions: 8.5″×11″
ISBN: 9780991326402
Returnable? Yes, view return policy.
Consumable? No, purchase one per family.
Answer key: None required.

WORKBOOK
Product Code: LS-W
Format: Softcover
Binding: Perfect bound
Page Count: 306 pages
Dimensions: 8.5″×11″
ISBN: 9780991326419
Returnable? Yes, view return policy.
Consumable? Yes, purchase one per student.
Answer key: A removable answer key is included in the back of the book.

About the Author

The late Michael J. Spear, M.S., earned a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Biology at the College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry in Syracuse, New York. A concurrent degree in Biology was awarded by Syracuse University. His Master’s degree was earned through private and public colleges in the Hudson River valley. The father of seven children, Mr. Spear taught every level of science for grades 7 through 12. He was active in the pro-life movement and was the founder of a private Catholic high school.

Related FAQ

Q: What supplies are needed for the science experiments?

A: You can download the experiment supply list here: Experiment Supply List

“Our microscope salt crystals experiment. We had fun doing this project!” –Linda, CO

Recently I purchased Life Science and there is no comparison with the secular science textbook I had planned to use. It is, without question, a fantastic book. It is thorough and well written. I HIGHLY recommend this text and workbook.

Loretta, NY

Photos submitted by Sarah, TX.

The boys are looking at paramecium, pond water and mushroom spores under the microscope. The images are projected on the computer screen. These are some of the experiments in Life Science, which my son is really enjoying!

Sarah, TX

Photo submitted by Margaret, NY.

My son in 7th grade doing the big germ experiment in petri dishes in Life Science. He was so interested in what he saw growing later! This was a very neat experiment that he very much enjoyed!

Margaret, NY