Science: Grades 5 - 8
My Name Is Gene/Fun With Gene
Authors: N. Celeste Bailey and N. Lucia Eskeland
Publisher: Science2Discover
For more information or to order: www.science2discover.com

Discoveries and advancements in the areas Genetics and Biotechnology are always in the news these days.  But how many of us really understand these complex topics?  Thankfully the authors of My Name Is Gene do understand, and they have done an excellent job of explaining the wonders of DNA while giving credit to our Creator.  Written in a first person text, "Gene" takes students on an introductory tour of genetics and biotechnology.  Though this text is geared toward upper elementary and middle school students, the information is sufficiently challenging for 9th and 10th grade high school students as well.  In fact, there are few texts that do such a thorough job of explaining this complex science in layman's terms.

My Name Is Gene begins by explaining the basics of cell biology including cell structure and their functions.  Included in this section is some background into the discovery of DNA and an explanation of its incredible design and purpose.  After laying the foundation, the authors moves on to an interesting section on Heredity.  This section includes an explanation of Mendel's Laws, homozygous and heterozygous traits, dominate and recessive genes, inherited versus acquired traits and more.  Another fascinating and important topic in the field of biotechnology covered in this text is Cloning.  Beginning with a discussion as to the purposes of cloning "Gene", the text goes on to explain the many uses of cloning genes, including how it is used in the medical field for genetic testing and screening, gene therapy, vaccines, use in agriculture, and forensic medicine.  Chapter 5 begins with an explanation of how cloning is done in the laboratory and discusses the research that resulted in "Dolly" the lamb.  The final section of My Name Is Gene teaches students about mutations. 

At the end of each chapter there are review questions and a discussion section.  I really like the use of the discussion questions.  Rather than just having student's repeat factual information presented in the text as the review questions do, the discussion questions get them thinking and applying their newfound knowledge.  For instance, after reading about Dolly's story, students are asked to consider the following questions.  "What are examples where cloning might be harmful?"  "Should scientists pursue more rigorously the use of adult stem cells rather than embryonic stem cells to develop organs?  Why?"   As you can see, this is definitely a challenging text!  There are plenty of new vocabulary words to be learned.  Thankfully, the authors have provided a glossary, which includes pronunciation guides for each word.  In addition, visual learners will really appreciate the liberal use of color diagrams and illustrations throughout the book, which serve to further explain and clarify the material presented in the text.

The authors of My Name Is Gene have also published an accompanying workbook titled Fun With Gene.  Although it is optional, I believe this workbook is essential to help fully cement the student's understanding of the material presented in My Name Is Gene.  Fun With Gene consists of a Teacher Manual and Student Book.  The teacher's edition is organized in the same format and includes all of the material found in the student workbook with answers and explanations provided for all of the exercises.

The material in Fun With Gene is presented in three sections.  Reference is made to the corresponding chapters and concepts from My Name Is Gene that are needed in order to complete the exercises and activities.  Section 1 appeals to our love of mysteries with ten "Cases to Solve".  This section is divided into two parts: The Basics and Beyond the Basics.  The first five cases are fairly easy to solve.  The last five are more involved and therefore more challenging.  Section 2 offers several hands-on activities and games.  These range from crossword and word search puzzles to making a model of DNA and extracting DNA from an onion.  While we didn't attempt the DNA extraction, it does look fairly involved.  However, I'm fairly confident that if you were to persevere through the process, your efforts would be rewarded.  Even if you never complete that one activity the book is still a valuable teaching tool!  Section 3 wraps up your study of DNA, RNA, cell structure and mutation.  The exercises in this section consist of analyzing and labeling diagrams and answering a few questions - all of which are a helpful review of the material presented in My Name Is Gene.

My Name Is Gene is a solid course for your students which will provide a good foundation for future study in the field of genetics and biotechnology.  In a field of science that is filled with humanistic dogma, it is refreshing to have access to such a well-written, scientific text presented from a Christian worldview. 

Making the grade: A+
Cost: $19.95 for text, $10.95 each for Teacher Ed. & Student Ed.
Value for your homeschool dollar: 10
Reviewed by Cindy Prechtel, Editor