Little Homeschool Blessings: The Book of Astronomy Set from Memoria Press {Review}

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Book of Astronomy Set from Memoria Press {Review}

Ceesa has spent most of the year studying the sky, so when Memoria Press sent us The Book of Astronomy Set (intended for third grade and up) to review, Jo-Jo was excited to have her turn. The set includes the Student Book and the Teacher Book.

This astronomy program covers many facets of astronomy.

Unit 1 includes: Summer and fall sky, constellations and zodiacs (Lyra, Aquila, Cygnus, Hercules, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius), Motions of the Earth, Star names, the summer triangle, and the zodiac.
Unit 2 includes: Winter sky and constellations and zodiacs (Orion, Canis Major and Canis Minor, Auriga & Lepus, Monoceros & Cetus, Pisces & Aries, Taurus, Gemini).
Unit 3 includes: Spring sky and constellations and zodiacs (Ursa Major and the Big Dipper, Ursa Minor & the pole star, Ophiuchus & Serpens, Bootes, Draco, Virgo, Libra, Cancer, and Leo).
Unit 4 includes:The Solar System: Sun, planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), dwarf planets, moons, and comets.

This is a page from Jo-Jo's copywork from Psalms.

The student book has reading material, table activities, constellation and star labeling and diagramming, questions with fill in the blanks, Psalm copywork, unit exercises, planet facts, zodiac chart, definitions, and pronunciation guide. You can see a Student Sample by clicking the link.

This Zodiac Chart is provided.

The teacher book has all of the student pages with answers, chapter tests, answers to the exams, and overheads. You can see a Teacher Sample by clicking the link as well.

This is a sample page that is provided for the constellations. This one is for Aquarius.

A recommended resource is D’Aulaires Greek Myths. It contains pictures and stories of the myths so children can make connections between the new constellations and stars from stories that were apart of the Greek belief system. We have read this book before and enjoyed it.

Each season unit starts with a map of the night sky during that season.

Jo-Jo used this program. She is very excited about the stars and has enjoyed working with the books. In fact, she has mentioned that she'd like to continue working on it through the summer. During the review period, she completed the first unit. She worked through the unit at her own pace completing small sections at a time. For anyone that wishes for an organized recommended structure, there is an option to purchase lesson plans as a download or print version.

Jo-Jo working on drawing constellations-her favorite activity.

Jo-Jo's favorite part of the book is to draw the constellations. She says that, "I like how it teaches you about the constellation, the brightest star, and then drawing them. It was interesting to learn about the summer triangle. There were a lot of constellations that I didn't know like Lyra. That is in the shape of a lyre. I play the lyre."

Sample pages from the solar system unit.

We would recommend using the set with both the lesson plans and D’Aulaires Greek Myths for those that would like to get the most from the set.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,