Apologia is Homeschool Science for the Animal Lover

Apologia Science has given my animal lover the foundation she needs to someday pursue a career in veterinary science. Without a doubt, Apologia science is homeschool science for the animal lover.

My child is an animal lover. She always has been. Me, not so much. But, I’ve learned to parent the child I have. Animal lover and all.  Homeschooling this animal lover has presented a few challenges of its own. I mean, how do I homeschool a child who wants to be a vet? I don’t know a thing about animals, never the less, the medical field.

When she first told me she wanted to be a vet, I’ll admit, I panicked. I felt ill prepared. I considered public school. But, then I reminded myself of something, I CAN DO THIS! If God called me to it, he will get me through it. And, that included preparing my child to be a veterinarian.

The veterinary field requires a great education in both homeschool math and homeschool science. One way we have done this is to start her in the Apologia Young Explorer Series. Through the Zoology books in this series, she has learned SO much about animals, their behavior, and so much more. We have been able to really dig into the biology of animals, and have built a foundation that will help carry her on into jr. high and high school. If you want to learn more about the Apologia Young Explorer Series head over to this post that includes a video All About Apologia!

Speaking of high school, Apologia also has programs that allow me to sit back and NOT teach. Yes, I’m serious. They have come out with a line of DVD’s that include the lessons needed to complete their science programs.
For the animal lover, they offer:

Biology

This course is designed to be the student’s first high school science course and is a college-prep biology course that provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. Heavily emphasizing the vocabulary of biology, it provides the student with a strong background in the scientific method, the five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection, and ecosystems. It also provides a complete survey of the five kingdoms in Creation. Students who take and understand this course will be very well-prepared for a tough university biology course.

Marine Biology

This course concentrates on marine wildlife and marine habitats. It provides a survey of members of each biological kingdom that live in marine environments. The student will learn about the microscopic organisms that make life in the ocean possible, including details about their interesting habits and life cycles

 

Yes, I already have our high school years planned out. All courses made by Apologia are creation based so our children are not learning animal facts that have an evolution background. But instead are learning about the wonderful animals OUR creator made, and the amazing features GOD has given them. We are looking forward to finishing out our homeschool years with Apologia.

So, are you wondering how to homeschool the animal lover?  Here are some tips that can help!

Don’t undermine their passion

I was really guilty of this in the beginning. I thought she would outgrow her love for animals. It never happened.  I missed many years of encouraging her passion, and instead tried to push her through things I thought she should be interested in. Now, I do my best not to undermine her passion. I listen to animal facts all day long. We invest in curriculum, magazines and books that encourage her passion. We watch animal documentaries and study veterinary science. We have decided to invest in HER, and that means we have to learn about animals.

Field Trips, Field Trips, Field Trips

Yearly trips to the zoo and the aquarium are now on our to-do list. Apologia Science has encouraged this, and it gives me the chance to hear how much the kids have actually learned. Every trip we take to the zoo my middle spouts of animal facts without ever even looking at the information on the exhibit. She KNOWS about the animals because she has spent time LEARNING about the animals.

Be Willing to Do the Unthinkable 

There was a day and time when I would have told you we would NEVER dissect owl pellets. Owning goats was NOT on my radar. Neither was watching animal surgery shows, or learning how to train a dog.

Now…. well let’s just say I have done all of the above. When homeschooling, we have to be willing to meet our kids where they are. We have to be willing to encourage their passions. Even if it means putting ourselves in situations where we aren’t exactly comfortable.

 

Volunteer and Job Shadow

Over the past two years we have begun volunteering at a local animal shelter. This has allowed us to spend time together, and it has given her the opportunity to put the skills and knowledge she has learned about animals into practice. This work isn’t always easy, but it allows her to SEE what the job she wants to do entails. It is also giving her valuable work and life skills that will carry her through adulthood. When she is older I plan on allowing her to job shadow IN the veterinary office. I truly believe her background in Apologia Science will have prepared her to do this task without any issues.

Apologia Science has given my animal lover the foundation she needs to someday pursue a career in veterinary science. Without a doubt, Apologia science is homeschool science for the animal lover.

What experience do you have with Apologia Science and an animal lover? 

Related Posts:

• All About Apologia Science
• 5 Must Have Resources for Apologia Land Animals
• Raising an Animal Lover….When you Dislike Animals
• When Parenting Makes You do the Unthinkable