BJU Biology in 8th grade?

[iluvmy4blessings]

I actually think I have decided to enroll my daughter in the BJU DVD program. I am wondering though if I should stick with their choice of 8th grade science which is earth/space or if I should opt to move up to Biology. They do not usually assign Bio until 10th grade. They do space/earth in 8th and then physical science in 9th. Is it ok to skip this and go straight into the Bio, Chem, Physics progression? Opinions?

[yinne]

My dd took BJ Biology last year as a 9th grader and it was challenging for her and she is a good student. It is not an easy course --good, but not a cake walk. You know your dd and what she is capable of, but it is not a middle school course. The 8th grade science is also a challenging course. I know of people that have used it for freshman science.

Yvonne in NE

[CynthiaOK]

I agree with Yvonne. My ds did it in 9th at our co-op. He found it to be quite challenging. I'm glad it was taught by a retired veterinarian. Ds is a very good student also. He spent far more hours per week on that course than any other courses he had. You might be able to get by with Apologia Biology for 8th, but I wouldn't recommend using BJU for 8th unless you have a gifted and motivated student who already has had a good exposure to upper level science.

[HollyinNNV]

I actually think I have decided to enroll my daughter in the BJU DVD program. I am wondering though if I should stick with their choice of 8th grade science which is earth/space or if I should opt to move up to Biology. They do not usually assign Bio until 10th grade. They do space/earth in 8th and then physical science in 9th. Is it ok to skip this and go straight into the Bio, Chem, Physics progression? Opinions?

NO WAY! BJU science is quite hard. Bio is very challenging. It is their 10th grade program. The earth/space program is also challenging and much more appropriate for 8th grade. You will have plenty to do with that program.

[iluvmy4blessings]

What about the 7th grade science class with Mrs. Vicks. I have been reading a lot of good things about that one and that she also teaches study skills. My dd is in 8th this year, but public school did not bode well for her at all. I want her to be in a challenging science class so that she does not get behind. Yet at the same time I want her to learn the skills she really needs. Should I just stick with the 8th grade earth/space class?

[HiddenJewel]

Both the BJU 7th and 8th grade courses are plenty challenging for an 8th grader. I would not want to try their high school courses in junior high.

[yinne]

Either the BJ 7th or BJ 8th grade course would be appropriate for an 8th grader. We have done both and they are both taught by Mrs. Vick, an excellent teacher. Either way you wouldn't go wrong.

Yvonne

[iluvmy4blessings]

I would prefer that my daughter be in Biology by 9th grade so that she can take an AP or dual credit class senior year. Do you think Earth Science or Physical Science would be better preparation for her going into Bio in 9th?

[Janice in NJ]

I wouldn't do Biology in 8th unless you have a plan to use a more advanced bio course in high school. Anytime you cover core courses in jr. high, you should have a plan to do a more advanced course in high school. I know that there are exceptions, but many colleges want to see those science subjects covered in high school: bio, chem, and physics. If you cover them in jr. high, they assume that you will do an advanced course in high school, not consider the student "done" with the subject.

I would choose a course based on her past courses and her passions. Lay out her high school science sequence and then work your way backwards. A strong student would do at least bio, chem, and physics. Then probably an advanced science in one of the courses in their 4th year. A solid student could just follow the BJU sequence: Physical, bio, chem, and maybe physics. A student looking for the minimum of two years of lab science might just do physical, and bio. It's up to you as the guidance counselor. :001_smile:

If you want to cover physical in 9th grade and she has done little-to-no life science, then the 7th grade course might be great. She will get a taste of bio and then a bit of chem and physics before she hits the heavy 10th, 11th, and 12th grade courses. However, she will miss the earth and space topics completely.

If you want to cover bio in 9th, then I wouldn't do life science in 8th. Boring. :001_smile:

If you've covered a lot of bio, chem, and physics topics but little-to-no earth and space topics, then I would start there. The space and earth course (8th) is a nice introduction to topics that are not covered in BJU's high school sequence. Be aware of BJU's approach to these subjects though. Their creationist worldview weighs in heavily in all of their courses but it's especially strong in their 8th grade program - so say my kids.

The 8th grade program provides lots of good opportunities to learn how to study a science topic. The text is set up well. The processes are all there, and the topics are very open ended. You could easily expand this course to include projects, extra reading, and additional assignments if your child finds it way too easy. The teacher's texts are a terrific resource if you are looking for ways to make a course more challenging. Clear goals. Simple objectives. Easily expanded.

Not that many folks find that they need to. I have found that most folks think the BJU science courses take up too much time, not too little. And the 8th grade course includes the BJU "Teacher's Tips" section for each lesson which is not available at the high-school level. That will make the class easier for you to monitor as your child masters the study skills necessary to learn science within a classroom-driven model. It just makes it easier to stay in the loop; the high school courses require more of the proctor's time IMO.

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Jugglin'5]

I would do Earth and Space and then skip Physical (you'll get this again in Chemistry and Physics), and do Biology in ninth. This is what we're doing. :-)

[yinne]

If you are going to have her do Biology next year as a Freshman, I would have her do Earth/Space Science this year and skip Physical Science. That is what I have done with my oldest and what I'm planning to do with the next one as well.

Yvonne

[iluvmy4blessings]

A million thank you's!! This is exactly the guidance I needed!