Instructor: Leilani Melendez
Contact: leilani@class-source.com
Course Description: God’s creation is filled with incredible creatures, each designed with unique features and purposes. In this class, we will explore four fascinating groups of animals: insects, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
 
Through hands-on activities, observations, and discussions, we will see how God’s handiwork is evident in every detail of the animal kingdom.
Insects are the most numerous creatures on Earth, playing a vital role in pollination, decomposition, and the food chain. From the busy honeybee to the beautifully designed butterfly, we’ll see how even the smallest creatures have a purpose in God’s world.
Amphibians live both in water and on land, going through amazing life cycles that remind us of transformation and renewal. Frogs, salamanders, and toads are just a few examples of these fascinating creatures.
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that often have scales, such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and alligators. We’ll study their unique survival abilities, from camouflage to regeneration, and see how they reflect God’s creativity.
Birds fill the skies with beauty and song. From tiny hummingbirds to mighty eagles, their feathers, beaks, and migration patterns reveal God’s care and provision in nature.
 
Throughout this class, we will connect scientific learning with Biblical truths, discovering how each of these animal groups points to God’s wisdom, order, and purpose in creation. By studying zoology, we grow in appreciation for the world around us and recognize our responsibility to care for it.
 
Course Objectives: 
Explore God’s Design – Recognize the incredible complexity and purpose in the way God created insects, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
Connect Science with Scripture – Learn how the characteristics and behaviors of these animals reflect Biblical truths about God’s wisdom, creativity, and provision.
Identify Key Traits – Understand the defining features of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, including their life cycles, habitats, and roles in the ecosystem.
Appreciate Biodiversity – Discover how each of these animal groups plays an important role in maintaining balance in God’s creation.
Engage in Hands-On Learning – Participate in activities, observations, and projects that bring zoology to life, such as insect collections, frog life cycle studies, and bird-watching.
Develop Stewardship – Understand our responsibility as Christians to care for and protect God’s creatures and their environments.
Encourage Curiosity & Critical Thinking – Ask questions, make observations, and think critically about the natural world through a faith-based perspective.
 
Grade Level: 6th-8th
Class Time: Thursday 11:00AM-11:55AM
Course Duration: Full Year
Required Book(s):
Zoology 1 Textbook (2nd Edition): {ISBN-10: 1932012613; ISBN-13: 978-1932012613}
Zoology 1 Notebooking Journal (2nd Edition) {ISBN-13: 978-1946506948}
Required Materials(s): Pen or Pencil
Supply Fee: $60 for science experiment supplies.
Classroom Expectations:
Respect God’s Creation – Show appreciation for all creatures, even the ones that might seem strange or scary, because they were all designed with a purpose.
Be Curious & Engaged – Ask questions, participate in discussions, and explore the wonders of the animal kingdom with an open and eager mind.
Come Prepared – Bring necessary materials (notebook, textbook, Bible, and any assigned work) and be ready to learn each day.
Practice Kindness & Teamwork – Encourage classmates, listen when others are speaking, and work together respectfully on projects and activities.
Be a Good Steward – Whether inside or outside the classroom, treat animals, nature, and resources with care, remembering that God has entrusted us to look after His creation.
Grading Policies: 50% Participation & labs, 25% Homework, 25% Tests
Grading Scale: 100%-90% A, 89%-80% B, 79%-70% C, 69%-60% D, 59%-0% F