What's the best science curriculum you've used?

[ga girl]

My dd (12) and ds (10) need a meaty science for next year. I'd like to teach them both at the 7th grade level - my ds is very science oriented and would have no trouble with the grade difference. I've looked at Apologia, BJU, ABEKA and others. But having trouble just deciding. Any recommendations?

Thank you!

Connie

[Mrs. Readsalot]

We used Rainbow for 6 grade and Prentice for 7 and some of 8 We do a lot of science.

[Julie]

Apologia, outstandaing, interesting,very well written. I like that they are not workbooky.

Julie

[HollyDay]

Best for us has been BJU Science. But, alot depends on style of learning, time, temperment, etc. My gf only uses Apologia - hate the workbooky feel of BJU. I dont care for the style of Apologia. So, alot depends on best for you. But, I do like BJU :)

[Perry]

Prentice Hall Science Explorer (http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZ3R9&pageitemid=1&PMDbProgramId=21981&PMDbSiteId=2781&PMDbSolutionId=6724&PMDbSubSolutionId=&PMDbCategoryId=&level=4) series

[EarleneW]

We love all of the Apologia!

[EKS]

For that age I would also recommend Science Explorer.

[Linda...inOwasso]

Singapore Science

[Tami]

I like the discussion starters, demonstrations and hands-on nature of the curriculum. BJU is much more inquiry-based than other curriculums I have seen, including Prentice Hall or Apologia.

For a sciency family, you'd be happy with BJU's rigor, excellent teacher's manual, and availability of science kits from Home Science Tools. I'd go with BJU 6. And yes, the Teacher's Manual is essential. BJU uses a variety of learning modalities, not just read and fill-in-the-blanks with an experiment thrown in as an afterthought.

TOPS is also a very inquiry-based choice. I would use BJU as my spine, and possibly add in independent TOPS modules if your students want even more science!

If you start a new thread about BJU science, you'll find many fans on the board. BJU is especially popular with science loving Christian families.

[Jill, OK]

(12yo, or 7th grade), I used Rainbow, and *I* liked it...but my kids seem to really like Apologia. (Using General Science this year, and Physical next).

So...I guess it depends on which perspective you're asking for. ;-) (I like Apologia's setup okay, too, I just liked the *tone* of the guy who wrote Rainbow much better.)

[Carol in Cal.]

Student book, clearly...but what about the TE and the tests, etc.?

TIA!

[jabuford]

Where can I look at this? Is there a website? Is it just a book of experiments or is it actual teaching?

[Greta Lea]

It's not his favorite subject, but he does like it. A few nights ago, he got his science book out at the dinner table to show his 10yo brother something.

He's used this in a tutorial class. They've only done a couple of the experiments this year and he's still enjoyed it without the experiments.

[ga girl]

I tried looking at the Science Explorer website and was totally confused. I've tried using Apologia Botany before and it was just too much info for my younger 2. My dd is taking BJU Physical Science this year from a tutor and doing well. It was recommended that she take BJU 7 next year as BJU doesn't review that info again.

However, I am wondering if we did Apologia General Science if that would be the same? We looked at both websites together and she was drawn more toward Apologia. I like the "safety" of BJU.