How to Study Human Anatomy in Your Homeschool

Do you plan on studying human anatomy in your homeschool? Maybe you’re wondering what resources to use? I am sharing what we plan on using for human anatomy in our homeschool and what we’ve learned from studying it in the past.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was in 6th grade and our teacher told us we were going to have a talk we would never forget. She separated the girls, and the boys that day, and boy do I remember the talk.

I walked out of school that day less of a child and feeling more like a grown up. When I began homeschooling, I knew I did not want to have “that” kind of talk with my kids at such a young age. But, I still wanted to give them a foundation in basic human anatomy (without the reproductive study), yet I had no idea where to turn.

And then, I came across Apologia’s Human Anatomy. We began their Exploring Creation series with Zoology, but as soon as I saw their Human Anatomy program I knew THAT was what we were going to use when the time came.

When my oldest was in 6th grade we jumped right into Human Anatomy with Apologia. We had a great year, we really did, but, as my middle ( who plans on studying veterinary science in college) crept up to her 6th-grade year, I began looking into ways to enhance her learning on Human Anatomy.

This is how we will be studying Human Anatomy in our homeschool.

We are Sticking with Apologia Human Anatomy

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology is an elementary level Anatomy and Physiology book that gives glory to God as children discover all that goes on in their bodies from their heads to the nails on their toes! Beginning with a brief history of medicine and a peek into cells and DNA, your students will voyage through fourteen lessons covering many subjects.

Our first time through this book we learned a lot! One resource that is a must from Apologia is the notebooking journal. My oldest particularly needed this for the personal person project.

The notebooking journal came in handy throughout the year. It included notebooking pages on the different organs, vocabulary terms, lesson recaps and so much more. Apologia Human Anatomy is a full program that doesn’t REQUIRE any add-ons. However, I have found some great resources to enhance our Apologia Human Anatomy study.

Supplementing with Audio

My middle LOVES science, but so far, she has spent most of her time studying animals. Last year we studied astronomy, and while she wasn’t thrilled with it at first, she got into it about halfway through the year. However, as we have approached the new school year, she has spent time eyeing our Apologia Marine Biology book ( for HIGH SCHOOL) instead of her human anatomy book.

I know this child gets bored easily when she’s not interested in a topic. I also know she learns best when she’s moving and doodling. Because of this, we are going to be adding in the audiobook for Human Anatomy.

Author Jeannie Fulbright reads the Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology text. This audio CD is perfect for students who are not reading on their own yet, for the entire family to enjoy together, or for the child who likes to be tinkering while learning instead of reading.

Adding in Visuals and Dissection

Throughout our zoology studies, my middle dissected a few things. One was a snake that left me running from the house when the package arrived (seriously, she got a kick out of it when I opened that box…). Since her interest is veterinary science I think dissection will be an important part of our studies this year.

I purchased this dissection kit from Great Homeschool Conventions. I hope it enhances her knowledge of the different organs, and how the body functions.

I also plan on having her use this puzzle that we have left over from when her sister studied this course. This puzzle is rather large and is labeled really well.

Using a Science Kit

Last school year was our first time using a science kit (see us unboxing it here). Honestly, before last year I kind of thought they were a waste. I mean how hard is it to gather materials? And then, we got one from Apologia and I was sold! We completed almost every project in Astronomy last year and absolutely loved it. I knew we would never have another year without a science kit again.

When my oldest went through Anatomy there were some projects we didn’t get to, I am looking forward to doing those this time around. One of our favorites was this stethoscope.

Apologia is not yet selling kits for all of their studies (although I have been told they are coming). So, I purchased this while at the Great Homeschool Convention. It seems very thorough and the experiments are bagged together just like the ones sold from Apologia. I feel the ones from them include more of the basic materials like markers, crayons, glue, paper plates, etc, but the ones from Natures Workshop are really a nice option until Apologia offers more on their own.

So, that is a peek into how we plan on studying human anatomy in our homeschool this coming year. Do you plan on teaching Human Anatomy next year? Let me know I’m not alone below! What resources do you plan on using? What have you used in the past? I’d love to learn from your experience!