Berean Builders, an innovative curriculum written by Dr. Jay Wile, develops science skills using a hands-on approach, helping students gain practical scientific knowledge.The elementary curriculum focuses on four unique historical time periods, from the Earth’s beginnings to the 1800s. Each period covers a range of science topics and emphasizes great scientists who were also Christian. Lessons are based around a hands-on science experiment with three levels of review questions to end the lessons, allowing teachers to vary the difficulty level of concepts. Each textbook provides an in-depth science study for one school year. The supplemental Helps and Hints book includes teacher guidance, answers to questions, tests and test answers. Most of this curriculum is too involved for K-2, and the textbook is not suitable for grades 1-4 to read independently. It’s well-suited for a teacher reading aloud to a student or class. We recommend this curriculum for grades 3-6. This curriculum presents a Christian creationist worldview.
| Berean Builders Science Curriculum Review – Grades 1-6 | |
| Curriculum Components Recommended | Student Textbook, Helps and Hints Book |
| Curriculum Cost (per Grade) | $39 |
| Hands-on Activities Cost (per Grade) | $40-70 depending on course |
| Strengths |
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| Weaknesses |
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| Learning Environment | |
| Homeschool Suitability | ★★★★★ |
| Classroom Suitability | ★★★ |
| New Science Teacher Suitability | ★★★★ |
| Learning Evaluation Tools | ★★★★★ |
| Includes Student Tests | Yes |
| Worldview | Creationist |
| Student Appeal | |
| Student Readability | ★★ |
| Engaging Visual Content | ★★★★★ |
| Independent Study Suitability | ★★ |
| Suitability for Students Not Interested in Science | ★★★ |
| Reading Level | 5th Grade |
| Science Content Quality | |
| Scope and Sequence | ★★★ |
| Depth of Science Content | ★★★★ |
| Age-appropriate Science Content | ★★★ |
| Hands-on Science Learning | |
| Comprehensive Hands-on Learning | ★★★★ |
| Activities Develop Science Skills | ★★★★★ |
| Activities Develop Critical Thinking | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of Completing Experiments | ★★★★★ |
| Activity/Lab Prep Time | 10-20 minutes |
Star Rating: 5-Very Good, 4-Good, 3-Fair, 2-Poor, 1-Very Poor