Life Science, 3rd Edition
Lesson Plan Overview
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
Support
Materials*
Chapter 1: Studying Life Science
1A What Is
1–7
Science?
1–2
1B Why Study
Life Science?
7–13
Class Investigation
1C or 1D
3–4
5
2B Scientific
Names
25–26
2C Problems of
Classification
26–30
8
Ideas 2A
Ideas 2B
Field Investigation 2F
or 2G or
Personal
Investigation 2I
Appendix C
Chapter 2
Ideas 2C and 2D
Review
11
Chapter 2 Test
12
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 3: Life and Cells
10
Limitations of science
Thinking Christianly about science
Christian vs. non-Christian worldviews
Loving God by studying His creation
Searching Scripture to see if things are
true
The glory of God seen in His creation
The goodness of God seen in His
creation
Dominion Mandate
Glorifying God through good
stewardship
God’s creation of the world
The physical and mental effects of the
Fall
Man’s need for a Savior
God’s provision of redemption
Loving your neighbor
Suffering as a means for seeing God’s
glory
1C What Do
14–18
Scientist Do?
Chapter 1 Review
6
Chapter 1 Test
Chapter 2: Classifying Living Things
2A Why
21–24
7
Classify?
9
Bible Integration**
Adam’s naming the animals
Man created in God’s image
Man as different from the animals
Names in the Bible
Man as separate from the rest of God’s
creation
God’s command for living things to
reproduce after their own kind
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
Support
Materials*
3A Living
Organisms
33–38
Ideas 3A
3B The Basic
Unit
39–41
14
3C Molecules
and Life
42–46
15
Ideas 3B
Class Investigation
3E
Class Investigation
3F or 3G
13
Chapter 3
Review
17
Chapter 3 Test
Chapter 4: Cell Structure
4A Membranes
18
God’s command for living things to
reproduce after their own kind
Exercising wise dominion over the earth
Scriptural response to the Gaia theory
The Bible and idolatry
Physical life vs. spiritual life
Future judgment of man
Eternal life for those who believe in
Christ
Need for time in God’s Word for spiritual
growth
Importance of witnessing to the lost
Scripture and the origin of life
Use of cloth in Bible times
Science as a means to show God’s love
and goodness to others
Ideas 3D
16
4B Typical
Parts of Cells
Bible Integration**
49–54
54–62
Class Investigations
4E and 4F
Class Investigations
4G and 4H
God’s intelligence and power
God’s design of cell structure
Understanding of creation increased by
faith in Christ
Serving God as a pathologist
Ideas 5A
Class Investigation
5E
God’s creation of the energy in the
universe
Theism and atheism as matters of faith
The church of Christ compared to the
human body
Leaven as an example of the spread of
sin
19–20
21
Chapter 4 Review
22
Chapter 4 Test
Chapter 5: Activities of Cells
5A Order
65–68
Among Cells
23
24
25
5B Cellular
Respiration
5C
Photosynthesis
68–71
Class Investigation
5F or 5G or both
71–73
26
27
Chapter 5 Review
28
Chapter 5 Test
Chapter 6: Cell Division
6A Genes and
79–84
Cell Division
29–30
Class Investigation
6E
Ideas 6B and 6C
Man formed by God (Psalm 139)
Day(s)
21–32
Topic
6B How Genes
Function
Pages
84–90
33
Chapter 6 Review
34
Chapter 6 Test
Chapter 7: Genetics of Organisms
7A The Origin
93–97
35
of Modern
Genetics
7B Genes,
98–102
36
Chromosomes,
and Heredity
102–4
Support
Materials*
Ideas 6D
Personal
Investigation 7D
38
Chapter 7 Review
39
Chapter 7 Test
40
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 8: Genetic Changes
8A Mutations
107–13
Class Investigation
8D
41
8B Applied
Genetics
113–20
42
43
Disease as a means of drawing people
to Christ
The complexity of DNA as evidence for
the existence of God
Man’s creation in the image of God
Class Investigation
7E
Ideas 7B
37
Bible Integration**
Ideas 8B
The Bible and abortion
God’s purpose in allowing diseases and
disorders
God’s sovereignty
The story of the man that was born
blind
Doing good to others
The Bible and discrimination
The effect of the Curse on the physical
creation
The Flood
Changes after the Flood
The world’s degeneration, not evolution
Mutations as a result of the Curse
Effect of presuppositions on
interpretation of evidence
Evolution as faith-based, not sciencebased
Abuse of Dominion Mandate
Jacob’s use of selective breeding
Breeding and evolution
Serving God as a livestock breeder
Ethical issues involved in cloning
The Bible and human cloning
Twins in the Bible
Man’s dominion over other organisms
Man’s God-given ability to learn
Responsibility of using knowledge
wisely
Christian response to the Human
Genome Project
Suffering as the result of the Curse
Continuation of the Curse until Christ’s
return
Inability of science to solve all of man’s
problems
Salvation through Christ alone
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
44
Chapter 8 Review
45
Chapter 8 Test
Chapter 9: Biblical Creationism
9A What the
123–26
Bible Teaches
About Creation
Support
Materials*
Ideas 9A
46
9B Creationist
Views
126–29
Personal
Investigation 9E
Research
Investigation 9F
(as homework)
129–34
Ideas 9B
Research
Investigation 9F
oral reports
47
48
49
Chapter 9
Review
50
Chapter 9 Test
Chapter 10: Biological Evolution
10A How
137–41
Biological
Evolution
51
Supposedly
Took Place
142–44
52
Bible Integration**
Importance of a Christian worldview
Biblical creationism vs. evolutionism
Creation or evolution accepted by faith
The Bible as the infallible Word of God
Fulfilled prophecy, science, and the
Holy Spirit as testimonies to the
Bible’s truth
God’s creation of the world
Importance of the doctrine of creation
God’s creation by direct acts
God’s sustaining of His creation
God’s power seen through His creation
The biblical account of creation
God’s special creation of man
Man’s accountability to God
The degeneration of God’s creation
Creation and intelligent design
Importance of the doctrine of creation
A literal interpretation of the biblical
account of creation
The length of a day in Genesis 1
A biblical response to nonliteral views of
creation
The Bible, science, and the age of the
earth
Biblical genealogies
The Flood and Noah’s ark
God’s grace for difficult tasks
The Bible and fossil evidence
Dinosaurs in the Bible
Biblical evidence sufficient for rejection
of evolution
Scriptural and scientific evidence
against evolution
God’s plan for creatures to reproduce
after their own kind
Ideas 10A and 10B
Class Investigation
10D
Day(s)
Topic
10B A Record
of Evolution?
Pages
144–50
53
Support
Materials*
Ideas 10C
Research
Investigations 10E
and 10F
54
Chapter 10 Review
55
Chapter 10 Test
56
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 11: Little-Seen Kingdoms
11A Kingdoms
155–59
Ideas 11A
57
Archaebacteria
Class Investigation
and Eubacteria
11G
11B Kingdom
160–63
58
Protista
Ideas 11B
11C Kingdom
163–66
Class Investigation
59
Fungi
11H
Ideas 11C and11D
Chapter 11
Class Investigation
60
Review
11F
61
Chapter 11 Test
Chapter 12: Plant Kingdom: Structure
12A Form and
169–72
Ideas 12A and 12B
62
Structure
Begin Field
Investigation 12F
12B Anatomy
172–75
Ideas 12C
63
12C Major
Plant Groups
64
65
Chapter 12
Review
175–78
Ideas 12D
Observe Field
Investigations 12F
Bible Integration**
God’s design in creation
Creationist view of homology
Flood theory of fossil formation
Origin of life
Evolution and creation as matters of
faith
Purpose in God’s design of creation
Wise stewardship
Bacteria before and after the Fall
Creation of protozoans
God’s design of protozoans
God’s provision for His creatures’ needs
Famines in the Bible
Effect of the Curse on plant life
The olive tree in Gethsemane
Comparison between a plant’s need for
water a Christian’s need for God’s
Word
The greatness and glory of God seen in
His design of plant life
Evolutionist vs. creationist interpretation
of the origin of plants
Changes in the post-Flood environment
Field Investigation
12G
Ideas 12E
66
Chapter 12 Test
67
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 13: Plant Kingdom: Processes
13A Functions
181–83
Class Investigations
of Plants
13E, 13I, and 14E
68
(will continue on
day 71)
183–88
Class Investigation
13G or 13H
Set up Class
69
Investigation 13F
(will be observed
throughout the
day)
God’s special design of plants
A Christian’s hope and trust found in
Christ
God’s wisdom seen in creation
Using science to help others
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
Support
Materials*
13B The
188–90
Ideas 13C
Environment
70
and Plant
Responses
Review and
Finish Investigations
71
catch-up
13E, 13I, and 14E
72
Chapter 13 Review
73
Chapter 13 Test
Chapter 14: Plant Kingdom: Reproduction
14A Sexual
193–98
Ideas 14A
Reproduction
74
14B Asexual
Reproduction
82
83
84
Creation of plants
Christ’s use of lilies and sparrows to
illustrate His care for humans
Growth of a seed as an example of the
growth of a Christian
Seeds as an example of God’s wisdom
and love
Serving God as a horticulturist
198–200
77
Chapter 14 Review
78
Chapter 14 Test
79
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 15: Invertebrates I: Sponges, Jellyfish, and Worms
15A What Is an 267–68
80
Invertebrate?
81
Design in nature as evidence of a
Designer
Class Investigation
14D
Begin Class
Investigation 14E
75
76
Bible Integration**
15B Sponges
15C The
Jellyfish: A
Cnidarian
268–69
269–72
Ideas 15A
15D The
Planarian: A
Flatworm
272–75
Ideas 15B and 15C
15E
Roundworms
15F
Segmented
Worms
275–76
Ideas 15D
Set up Class
Investigation 16F
276–78
Differences between animals and plants
seen in Genesis 1
Loving your neighbor
God’s amazing design of jellyfish
God’s creation in the depth of the sea
as another example of His greatness
The Creator’s provision for each of His
creatures’ needs
Parasites as a result of the Fall
Christ’s victory over death and sin and
His promise of a new heaven and a
new earth
King Herod and worms
Parasites and loving your neighbor
Dominion Mandate
Class Investigation
15F
85
Chapter 15 Review
86
Chapter 15 Test
Chapter 16: Invertebrates II: Mollusks, Arthropods, and Echinoderms
16A Mollusks
283–86
Ideas 16A
God’s design of the earth
87
Controlling the tongue
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
88
89
16B Arthropods
286–93
Support
Materials*
Selection of activities
from TE
Selection of
Investigations from
Student Activities
Class Investigation
16F
90
16C
294
Ideas 16B and 16C
Echinoderms
91
Chapter 16 Review
92
Chapter 16 Test
93
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 17: Vertebrates I: Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles
17A Body
297–302
Ideas 17A
Systems in
94
Vertebrate
Animals
95
96
97
17B Fish
302–5
306–8
17C
Amphibians
308–12
17D Reptiles
312–16
Ideas 17B
Class Investigation
17F
Class Investigation
17G
Bible Integration**
God’s creativity and design in creation
God’s infinite wisdom and creativity
compared to humans’ limited wisdom
and creativity
God’s creative design of the bee colony
The ant as an illustration of the
importance of being prudent and
industrious
God’s greatness seen throughout
creation
The theme of blood in the Bible
Christ’s provision of salvation
The Lord’s Supper
God’s greatness seen in His design
God’s care for His creatures
98
99
Frog Dissection
(optional)
100
Chapter 17 Review
101
Chapter 17 Test
Chapter 18: Vertebrates II: Birds and Mammals
18A
319–21
Ideas 18A
102
Endotherms
and Ectotherms
18B Birds
321–24
Class Investigations
103
18E and 18F
Ideas 18B
18C Mammals
325–30
Ideas 18C
104
Chapter 18
Research
Review
Investigation 18G
106
Chapter 18 Test
107
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 19: Animal Behavior
105
God’s design of birds that allows for
flight
How creation shows God’s intelligent
design
Man as a special creation of God
Biblical examples of the difference
between humans and animals
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
19A Innate
Behaviors
333–36
19B Learned
Behaviors
19C Intelligent
Behaviors
337
Support
Materials*
Class Investigation
19D
108
109
110
338–40
Ideas 19A
Ideas 19B
Chapter 19 Review
Chapter 19 Test
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Animal Sexual Reproduction
20A Meiosis,
343–44
Ideas 20A
114
Gametes, and
Fertilization
20B External
344–47
Class Investigation
115
Fertilization
20D
20C Internal
347–51
Ideas 20B and 20C
116
Fertilization
Research
Investigation 20E
117
Chapter 20 Review
118
Chapter 20 Test
119
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 21: The Ecosystem
21A
357–59
Research
120
Ecosystems
Investigation 21F
21B The
359–64
Class Investigation
Abiotic
21G
121
Environment of
Ecosystems
Facet:
362–63
122
Succession in
Ideas 21B and 21C
Ecosystems
21C The Biotic
364–68
Field Investigation
Community
21H
123
Bible Integration**
God’s control of the earth seen in His
creation of the animals
God’s provision for His creatures’
survival
Dominion Mandate
How God regards the prayers of
believers
How God sometimes provides for our
needs through our own labor
Man’s accountability to God
Man as distinct from the animals
Man’s responsibility to care for God’s
creation
111
112
113
Chapter 20:
124
21D Rhythms
in the
Ecosystem
368–72
Finish and discuss
Investigations
125
Ideas 21D
126
Chapter 21 Review
127
Chapter 21 Test
128
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 22: Organism Relationships
The effect of the Fall on animal life
Honoring God-given authority
God’s marvelous work seen throughout
creation
Serving God as a marine biologist
Studying ecology to help in practicing
wise stewardship
Parts of the ecosystem seen in the
Psalms
Organization seen in God’s creation
Man’s relationship to animals before
and after the Fall
Physical processes designed by God
God’s design of different biological
rhythms
God’s promise after the Flood
Day(s)
129
Topic
22A Energy
Exchange
Between
Organisms
375–80
377 (foodweb
activity)
380–85
130
Support
Materials*
Pages
22B
Relationships
Between
131
Organisms of
the Same
Species
22C
385–88
Relationships
132
Between
Different
Species
Appendix D
513–25
133
Major Biomes
of the World
134
Chapter 22 Review
135
Chapter 22 Test
Chapter 23: Natural Resources
23A Living
391–95
Things as
Natural
136
Resources
Begin Research
Investigation 22E
Begin Class
Investigation 22G
Ideas 22A or 22B
The future of the earth
The origin, purpose, and future of
destructive factors in the world
Satan as a predator
Ideas 22C
God’s design for communication
between ants
The ant as an example of diligence
Class Investigation
22H
God’s provision of protection for
animals
Ideas 23A
God’s promise to supply our needs
God’s provision through natural
resources
Christians’ responsibility to be good
stewards of God’s creation
Principles for Christian living from
James 3
The Flood and extinction of species
Stewardship
Agriculture in the Bible
God’s command to Israel to let the soil
rest every seventh year
The Bible and genetically modified
crops
Christ’s imminent return
God’s provision for our needs
Stewardship of natural resources
Care and concern for our neighbor
Loving your neighbor
395–99
Work on Research
Investigation 23E
Ideas 23B
23B Man’s
Role in the
Ecosystem
399–403
Ideas 23C
Begin Personal
Investigation 23G
23C Pollution
403–7
Finish Personal
Investigation 23G
Ideas 23D
Class Investigation
23H
Personal
Investigation 23F
(student reports)
137
138
139
407–9
140
141
142
143
Bible Integration**
Chapter 23 Review
Chapter 23 Test
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Serving God as an environmental
engineer
Using wisdom from God to solve
ecological problems
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
Chapter 24: Support and Movement
24A Human
415–21
144
Skin
(except
facets)
415–21
145
(facets)
24B The
422–26
146
Skeletal
System
24C The
426–28
147
Muscular
System
Chapter 24
148
Review
149
Chapter 24 Test
Chapter 25: Internal Balance
150
25A The Heart
431–34
and Blood
434–37
151
Vessels
152
153
25B The Blood
437–40
440–45
Support
Materials*
Class Investigation
24G
Ideas 24E and 24F
Class Investigation
25G
Class Investigation
25H and 25I
Class Investigation
25J
Ideas 25D
25C The
446–51
Ideas 25E
Body’s Defense
System
25D The
452–54
Ideas 25F
156
Excretory
System
157
Chapter 25 Review
158
Chapter 25 Test
159
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 26: Energy
26A The
457–61
Ideas 26A
Respiratory
160
System
155
162
26B The
Digestive
System
461–64
Ideas 26B and 26C
464–69
Ideas 26D
469–74
Ideas 26E
Class Investigation
26F
163
164
165
Chapter 26 Review
Chapter 26 Test
The complexity of God’s design
Jesus’s humanity
The Bible and racism
Class Investigations
24H and 24I
Ideas 24B and 24C
Class Investigations
24I and 24J
154
161
Bible Integration**
Jesus’s prayer in Gethsemane
Serving God as a phlebotomist
The crucifixion
Christ’s death and resurrection to
provide salvation for man
Trusting the Lord to provide for every
need
Life after the Fall
Restoration of creation
The Christian and AIDS
Christians and smoking
Using biblical principles for healthy
Christian living
Trusting God through stressful
situations
Day(s)
Topic
Pages
Support
Materials*
166
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 27: Control
167
27A The
477–80
Ideas 27A
Nervous
480–84
Class Investigation
System
27H
168
169
170
171
27B The Sense
Organs
484–90
27C The
Endocrine
System
490–93
Class Investigation
27I
Class Investigation
27J
Ideas 27C and 27D
172
493–96
Ideas 27E
173
Chapter 27 Review
174
Chapter 27 Test
175
Use as a catch-up period if needed.
Chapter 28: Human Reproduction***
28A The Male
1–2
Reproductive
System
28B The
2
Female
Reproductive
System
28C From
3
Fertilization to
176–177
Birth
28D Moral
3–6
Issues
178
Bible Integration**
God’s design of internal coordination
A pure thought life
The Christian and psychoactive drugs
Relying on God for comfort and strength
True happiness found in Christ
The work of the Holy Spirit in a
believer’s life
Biblical maturity
Living for God
Claiming God’s promises
Putting complete faith and trust in Christ
The institution of marriage given in the
Bible
Satan’s perversion of human sexuality
Man’s creation in the image of God
Death as a result of sin
Other results of sin
The Bible and abortion
God’s provision of salvation for those
who accept Christ
Sexual purity
Christ’s comfort and strength during
temptation
Chapter 28 Test
*Not all of the Ideas and Investigations activities are listed in the Support Materials column.
Others may be completed in class or assigned as homework as time allows.
**Some of the Bible Integration topics are covered in the teacher’s edition margin notes and are
not directly covered in the student text.
***This chapter is included on the Support Materials CD.