Is there any way to 'lighten the load' of Apologia Texts?

[Linda (Australia)]

Here in Australia, we don't have to wory about 'high school credits', etc. We've been using the Apologia texts (currently using General Science and Biology) - they're great, they really are - but soo heavy!

Does anyone have suggestion as to how to 'lighten the load'? My guys are sick of tests, learning definitions, etc. and they are fast reaching a point where they simply do not like science - the love of learning just ain't happening!

I'm thinking of somehow, notebooking, drawing diagrams, doing one or two experiments and labs, and then, moving on - but I'm not sure yet exactly 'how' - we've always been textbook-type people, but are wanting to move away from them to a certain extent.

Or, do you have any other suggestions? We want some FUN and enjoyment back in our homeschool!

God bless,

[Willow]

Well I can tell what we do (we are in NZ, so we don't need to worry about credits either)

For General and Physical science I do not require the learning of definitions. I have one who learns them instantly....for a week or two and would then swear she had never seen them before! All we were testing was short term memory. I also do not do the tests...same reason.

What we do is this. The dc listen to the MP3 whilst following along in the book. When we get to 'on your own' we discuss the questions and the answers. For the tests we discuss the practice questions in an 'open book' manner...for a definition, we look it up, and maybe one of the dc will paraphrase it for us. We also discuss any evolution/creation conflicts and discuss what we believe about the issue. After all this (normally 2-3 lessons on the practice questions, all done orally) we move onto the next chapter. They enjoy experiments and I do not require a lab book until Biology/Chemistry (we never made it to Physics) Even at this level I do not require it to be kept in good order once they have proven they can actually do it if required, eventually it simply becomes a note book.

So we actually do NO written work at General/Physical level, and minimal beyond that. We do no tests. My kids love science and this way they retain heaps....which is after all, what I want.

Hope this helps
Willow.

[Linda (Australia)]

Thankyou, Willow - that does help! This is pretty much what I'd come with, so it's wonderful to hear from someone who is already using the books this way - we'll give it a try!

God bless,

[Susan C.]

I redid the definition part of Apologia tests to matching format, put the words on one side, the definitions with letters on the other side, be sure to make a key (I forgot the first time :) )

[Willow]

I redid the definition part of Apologia tests to matching format, put the words on one side, the definitions with letters on the other side, be sure to make a key (I forgot the first time :) )

Thats a good idea, mine might enjoy that!

[Janet in WA]

I redid the definition part of Apologia tests to matching format, put the words on one side, the definitions with letters on the other side, be sure to make a key (I forgot the first time :) )That's what we did too, sometimes. Other times, I'd make up fill-in-the-blank tests (supply the definition and have my son write in the appropriate word that fit the definition). Sometimes, we'd just have oral tests. I'd read the definition, and my son would answer with the correct (hopefully) term. I never required my sons to memorize and write out the definitions for tests. I only required them to memorize the terms and their correct spellings.

[Lori D.]

Only done Apologia Biology so far -- but especially the first half of the book really sucked away the love of science here. The last half of the book was better, as you get into genetics, ecology, and you get to do the fascinating dissections. We modified the Biology somewhat:

- I required far fewer terms/definitions be learned -- just the ones I thought were *truly* important; I also shortened the tests accordingly. (Mostly dropped a LOT of the cellular and fungi terms -- no one here is going into a science field, esp. any biology or medical field, so it just wasn't necessary for us.)
- We read it aloud, and I would do a brief review of key points of what we'd read in that chapter previously as a sort of "game show" quiz, alternating between kids.
- We did the study guide at the end of each chapter in the same "game show" format (aloud, together), rather than written, and we would do it twice (once each in 2 successive days).
- We spread Apologia Biology out over 1-1/2 years. Older DS did the first half 2 years ago in 9th grade and we finished it last year while he was in 10th grade; younger DS joined in last year, as he was 9th grade.
- Perhaps "ease" into the program by reversing the chapter order -- younger DS joined us this past year for chapters 9-16, and it was a LOT easier to grasp than those early chapters on cell structure, single-cell creatures, and fungi. :ack2:

Wish I could have found a more hands-on program for our high school sciences... Now younger DS and I have to do the first 1/2 of Apologia Biology this coming year (he'll be 10th grade), while older DS (11th grade) will be attempting Apologia Chemistry. Sigh...

Love to hear some more engaging science options! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[Linda (Australia)]

I have disovered the 'Mother of Divine Grace' yr 10 science curriculum - nature drawings, hands-on study on an animal of choice, etc. They then do Apologia Biology in yr 11, and finish up with Chemistry in yr 12. (In her book Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum, it also lists the Apologia Physics as an alternative to maths in yr 12).

I think that'll work well. We've also decided to make use of the chapter summaries at the end of the Apologia Biology book (I didn't even know these were there!), using them instead of the tests. We'll do the summaries, the labs, and discuss.

My daughter is breathing a sigh of relief! Mod 6 required the learning of something like 45 definitions, and she was really struggling. She's happier now! I'm ordering the MODG syllabus, and we may even put the Biology aside until next year.

Thanks for all the suggestions, they are most appreciated.