How Living Books Can Fulfill High School Biology Standards

One of the most common questions I receive about my high school biology curriculum is: “Is it enough?”

It’s an interesting question—because in some circles, this curriculum is dismissed simply because it meets standards using living books. In others, it’s questioned because people fear it doesn’t meet the standards at all. Here’s the truth: the standards are not my first priority. Following the lead of a living book, as Charlotte Mason encouraged, always comes first. But again and again, I find that one or two well-chosen living books end up covering everything the standards ask for—and then some.

I understand why. High school can feel like the big leagues of homeschooling—when transcripts matter, career goals begin to crystallize, and the temptation to ditch living books in favor of a dry but “complete” textbook grows stronger.

But let me assure you: not only is a living book approach enough—it may be the most effective way to deeply learn high school biology.

Let’s Start with the Standards

State and national high school biology standards (including NGSS) typically cover five broad areas:

1. Structure and Function
2. Inheritance and Variation of Traits
3. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
4. Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
5. Natural Selection and Evolution

All of these topics are already covered in Form 3–4 Biology, which serves as a survey course. That guide alone touches every major area of biology expected in a traditional high school course.

But we shouldn’t stop there. To give students a more robust, immersive experience, SMH offers additional high school-level biology guides:

• High School Anatomy, Parts I & II
• High School Ecology
• High School Origins

Together, these guides go far beyond the standards. They don’t just help students pass a test—they help them understand how life works.

What About a Scope and Sequence?

Think of Form 3–4 Biology as your overview—your map of the biological world. The high school guides then zoom in on key regions of that map:

• Anatomy gives a deep dive into the structure and function of the human body. It’s especially useful for students interested in health sciences or anatomy-heavy fields. Beyond personal care, many careers have a foundation in anatomy. In fact, one of every eight Americans is employed in the healthcare industry, and that number is growing. Between 2019 and 2029, the field is projected to add 2.4 million new jobs—far outpacing average job growth. And that’s just healthcare. Many other professions, including veterinary science, coaching, emergency response, and medical research, require a working knowledge of the human body. It’s estimated that 4.6 million Americans serve as firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and paramedics. Whether your student enters a profession like these or simply wants to steward their own health wisely, a foundation in anatomy is relevant and empowering.
• Ecology explores systems thinking, relationships in nature, cycles of matter and energy, and human impact. (It’s one of my personal favorites.) Again, the standards simply require our kids to learn about Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems, and Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, but this guide goes far beyond that. Students will learn what the Bible teaches about the natural world and its purpose from the Garden to Israel and on to eternity. In addition, they consider the environmental challenges facing their local area (and those affecting the planet from a “climate realist” perspective). My heart for this guide was that students get a realistic view of what is happening in the world—both locally and globally. But more importantly, I wanted them to be inspired by people who have effected change in their local community.
• Origins addresses the philosophical and scientific conversations around the origins of life—grounding students in both faith and understanding. While the standards only require students to learn about natural selection and evolution, the book I assign goes much further. It is a brief but thorough exploration of the primary interpretations of creation. This is an important book because fellow believers—even within your church or family—may hold differing views. Gaining a greater understanding of what others believe can help students engage more thoughtfully and love others better—believers and unbelievers alike.

If your child starts this program by seventh grade, they will receive the gift of all of this, plus Form 3–4 Botany and the cumulative knowledge gained through years of nature study. But if you’re just getting started in high school and need just three guides to make up a single high school credit, a common sequence is:

1. Form 3-4 Biology (your survey of all the standards)
2. High School Anatomy I
3. High School Anatomy II or High School Ecology or High School Origins

You can adjust based on your student’s interests and pace. Most students complete three to four guides per year, depending on their schedule.

Living Books vs. Textbooks

Again and again, I’ve seen that students using living books retain more, understand more deeply, and engage more fully than they ever did with a textbook. Why? Because living books make biology personal. They invite students into a relationship with ideas, rather than asking them to memorize disconnected facts.

This approach fosters wonder, attention, and true connection to the material. Charlotte Mason believed that education is the science of relationships—and that students need time and space to form those relationships with knowledge. When we move too fast, rushing through a checklist or cramming for a test, we lose the richness that science offers.

Yes, the pace may feel slower than traditional curriculum. But beneath that steady rhythm, real learning is happening. The kind of learning that grows roots and lasts.

Trusting the Process (And Not Overloading Your Student)

You don’t need to do everything to do enough.

If your student completes Form 3–4 Biology and the High School Anatomy guides, you’ll have more than fulfilled the standard biology requirements. You’ll have also honored their time, energy, and developmental stage.

And if you have a student with a strong interest in environmental science, systems biology, or fieldwork, the High School Ecology guide is a beautiful addition.

Final Encouragement

I know it can be hard to let go of the textbook mindset, especially when transcripts and college prep loom on the horizon. But I want to encourage you: your student is not falling behind.

You are doing something courageous and profoundly effective by choosing a living, relational approach to science.

This curriculum wasn’t built to help your child cram for a test.
It was built to help them love learning and to understand God’s creation more deeply.

And yes—it’s enough. More than enough.