Apologia Science

[Luanne]

I have been trying to put together science using real books, but I keep coming back to the recommendation of just about everyone everywhere that for 7th grade and up Apologia Science is the way to go. My daughter claims she doesn't like their science (even though I don't think she really gave it a chance). I wanted to find something for both of us to use. I had very little science when I was in school and really would like to learn more. I noticed they have an audio CD (at least for General Science) and my daughter is an auditory learner. I am wondering if I should get the book for me and the audio CD for her. What do you think and why is it everyone everywhere recommends Apologia Science?

[Dayle in Guatemala]

we love it and are learning a lot from it, but, it is by no means the only way to go! If you want to use more living books, you should. Apologia has a conversational style that we like and the notebooking is good for my dc. Have you borrowed a book from someone to really look at and check out?

I don't know of any science off the top of my head that uses living books, but, I'm sure there is one out there you could use as a guide. I say, use what you feel you want and would work well for your dd. You don't want to invest in something only to find that it was a waste and you should have went with your instinct.;)

[Sue G in PA]

I gave it to her to look over and she just shrugged and said it looked fine. She's not a sciency type of kid. I planned to do it next year in 7th grade, but after looking ahead to hs and beyond and trying to "mesh" my dc schedules as best I can...I decided to wait. She will be doing Apol. Astronomy with us next year w/ CKE Earth and Space and waiting until 8th gr. to do Apol. Gen. That way her younger bro can do Gen. w/ her as he'll be in 6th and since he LOVES Science...he'll do fine. As to the audio componenet, yes that is a neat feature. We have the Mp3 version of the text which will help my ds when he gets to it. He'd much prefer listening than reading. Give it a try if you think you like the looks of Apol. Oh, if your dd is crafty, there is a lapbook that goes with it that you can purchase from Live and Learn Press (I think it's them).

[mchel210]

My son did zoology 1 this year with his sisters. He really enjoyed it a lot. He learned a lot with the notebooking and he really enjoyed the way the book read. It doesn't read like a boring textbook. I am having him do General Science next year as well. This is the first year he loves science. He is telling me he wants to be a scientist now since he understands the readings now. We started with abeka science and it was so boring. It was like pulling teeth for him. He read the book and was to memorize the facts...then he took a test and forgot everything.

I can ask any question all the way back to ch. 1 and my 3 kids remember with apologia. That is all I need.
MichelleL.SFlorida

[Julie in MO]

Hi,
I've noticed references in a few posts since I joined the loop about lapbooking. I also saw a reference about Live and Learn and checked it out today. Is lapbooking the same thing as notebooking? Live and Learn seemed a bit expensive for the notebooking supplies. Is it really worth it? Does it improve retention, or just make it more fun? I'm curious what those of you who've invested in notebooking have to say...

Thanks!!!
Julie:)

[Midwest Momma]

My dd (college freshman) said she hated science (Abeka) until we started Apologia (began with Physical science, also did Bio, Chem, and Physics). 17 yo ds is considering a career in science (teaching) after doing the above courses and Adv. Physics. It has been a great thing here.

[Sue G in PA]

They are not the same. A lapbook includes different fold-its that you cut out and paste in a file folder. I think LIve and Learn Press and lapbooks for each of the Apol. science programs (even Elem.). A notebook is just pages you fill in. Some have pictures, some have graphics or graphs, some are just plain for you to add your own narrations, etc. Jeanne Fulbright has FREE notebooking pages that correspond to each of the Elem. series science books, not sure about General and above. It really all depends on the child. My ds9 HATES cut/past type stuff so lapbooks are more of a chore for him. Ds8 and dd11 LOVE that kind of stuff and so thrive doing them and it really does help them retain the info. So, it really does depend on your dc. I do plan to use the notebooking pages with Apol. Astron next year and the lapbook for dd11 for Apol. gen in 2009-10. HTH

[angela in ohio]

We tried Apologia General Science, and I didn't care for it. We are now going with BJU for junior high/ high school science.

[cricket1178]

We tried Apologia General Science, and I didn't care for it. We are now going with BJU for junior high/ high school science.

I am considering using this for my dd next year.

[nestof3]

We used Apologia Biology and Chemistry. Biology would be very easy to do with real books -- just break down the kingdoms and study in a taxonomical way.

I am actually taking that approach with my young ones, learning words like porifera, cnidaria, arthropod, crustacean, echinoderm, etc. I feel the more comfortable they are with taxonomy, the easier high school biology will be. I also reinforce recurring concepts like regeneration, molting, etc. When a book I am reading discusses a sea star's ability to regrow a ray, I will add -- "And this is called _________" and the boys chime in "regeneration."

That said, I thought Apologia's biology was okay, but dry in some areas and very rushed in others. My son really liked the botany section the most. Sonlight has a little biology book that could be used to guide you through the kingdoms in a similar manner while using real books. I just search my library on each topic. My boys and I are studying invertebrates this year and vertebrates next year. Then we will study botany and then the human body.

I do not see how chemistry could be pulled off with living books -- at a lower than high school level I could see, but not highschool.

Finally, I looked at the elementary apologia books and chose to only buy the astronomy because I am a young earth creationist who wanted material written from that standpoint. The others I felt would be more enjoyable to study with real books. I may change my mind about botany, but since I already have some great plant books, I think I'll just stick with a living book approach.