Integrated Science curriculum is very appropriately named. The overall goal of this program is to link together the four science disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science based on the study of a central theme or concept. It is designed with the middle school student in mind.

The curriculum offers comprehensive teachers manuals, student books, hands on activities, videos, and online support for teachers and students. Moreover, it addresses the needs of various learning styles: kinesthetic, visual, and auditory.

For my review, I was sent the Teachers Manual Block 1 - Clues, the student book, and a video. The teacher's manual is very detailed. Each activity contains: emphasis or goal, materials, procedures, activity sheets for students and groups. The student book contains interesting facts and examples of the subject being studied. The video is very helpful to teachers who might be part of the "scientifically-challenged"; it is like a virtual field trip. The online support is a wonderful concept too, especially if you've ever had a science experiment "not work quite like the book said it would."

Because the curriculum is designed for the classroom, it often calls for small groups within a large group setting, which would make this program very workable for co-op groups.

Please note that this is not a Bible-based curriculum. Although children need to know there are differing points of view on scientific subjects, such as the age of the earth, you as the parent need to be grounded in what you believe and know to be true.

Integrated Science curriculum has the learner in mind. Students will quickly learn that the sciences are interrelated. The approach is interesting and fun for the student and parent, while covering the necessary material for the middle-school years.