74Heaven
03-11-2008, 03:37 PM
This was my "planned" <grin> high school science sequence:
7th/9th dtrs: Apologia Physical
8th/10th dtrs: Apologia Biology (We are finishing this in May 08)
9th/11th dtrs: Apologia or Spectrum Chemistry
10th/12th dtrs: Apologia Advanced Biology
However, my daughters may have an oppty to take Advanced Apologia Biology next year thru a local co op. They will be 9th and 11th grades.
My to-be "science kid" 9th gr. is getting an A in Apologia Biology and an "A-" in Algebra 1 this year. My "non-science" 11th gr. is getting a "C+" in the same Biology and a "C+" (due to carelessless, not lack of mastery) in Alg. 2. The Biology "C+" is partially due to a lack of mastery and interest/motivation in science. *Note* we are very thorough in our Biology studies, we do everything (labs, quarterly tests & reviews, qtrly Jeopardy game, all OYOs, Study Guide, summary, etc. - we talk, outline, study, correct, etc.)
My question is:
How important is it for my dtrs to take the chemistry first?
The Apologia catalog says that "first year Chemistry" is a prerequisite for Advanced Biology. My daughters have *not* taken high school chemistry. However, they did take semester of middle school (Rainbow Science) chemistry (3 years ago) and their Apologia Biology had 2-3 weeks on chemistry.
Also, we won't find out until July if they can take the science at the co op. So, I need to plan for two diff. scenarios. (The main reason I am wanting them to take the co op class is to lighten my load (3-7 hours a week less work for me) - I am a nonscience mom hsing 5 kids - and increase the quality of instruction, assistance, etc.
One option might be to "introduce" chemistry this summer with a 6-8 week intense course (Apologia or Spectrum) or teach chemistry concurrently next year at the same times as the biology - and then consider science *done* for the 11th grader. I am assuming the 9th grader (who is very science oriented) might take additional science.
There are some "side notes", as in I have a neighbor who is a newly retired chemistry teacher, who might be "hireable" for a paying group of homeschoolers. The community college is almost a non-option for several reasons including commuting issues (2 hrs round trip driving and 3-4 other kids in tow).
If we don't do science at co op - it will be hard to do it at all that one-day a week - and thus we will be trying to schedule 5 days of science into 4 days available for instruction.
Ok, sorry to be so lengthy. I appreciate the tips!
lisaj, ljdeerparkATaolDOTcom
7th/9th dtrs: Apologia Physical
8th/10th dtrs: Apologia Biology (We are finishing this in May 08)
9th/11th dtrs: Apologia or Spectrum Chemistry
10th/12th dtrs: Apologia Advanced Biology
However, my daughters may have an oppty to take Advanced Apologia Biology next year thru a local co op. They will be 9th and 11th grades.
My to-be "science kid" 9th gr. is getting an A in Apologia Biology and an "A-" in Algebra 1 this year. My "non-science" 11th gr. is getting a "C+" in the same Biology and a "C+" (due to carelessless, not lack of mastery) in Alg. 2. The Biology "C+" is partially due to a lack of mastery and interest/motivation in science. *Note* we are very thorough in our Biology studies, we do everything (labs, quarterly tests & reviews, qtrly Jeopardy game, all OYOs, Study Guide, summary, etc. - we talk, outline, study, correct, etc.)
My question is:
How important is it for my dtrs to take the chemistry first?
The Apologia catalog says that "first year Chemistry" is a prerequisite for Advanced Biology. My daughters have *not* taken high school chemistry. However, they did take semester of middle school (Rainbow Science) chemistry (3 years ago) and their Apologia Biology had 2-3 weeks on chemistry.
Also, we won't find out until July if they can take the science at the co op. So, I need to plan for two diff. scenarios. (The main reason I am wanting them to take the co op class is to lighten my load (3-7 hours a week less work for me) - I am a nonscience mom hsing 5 kids - and increase the quality of instruction, assistance, etc.
One option might be to "introduce" chemistry this summer with a 6-8 week intense course (Apologia or Spectrum) or teach chemistry concurrently next year at the same times as the biology - and then consider science *done* for the 11th grader. I am assuming the 9th grader (who is very science oriented) might take additional science.
There are some "side notes", as in I have a neighbor who is a newly retired chemistry teacher, who might be "hireable" for a paying group of homeschoolers. The community college is almost a non-option for several reasons including commuting issues (2 hrs round trip driving and 3-4 other kids in tow).
If we don't do science at co op - it will be hard to do it at all that one-day a week - and thus we will be trying to schedule 5 days of science into 4 days available for instruction.
Ok, sorry to be so lengthy. I appreciate the tips!
lisaj, ljdeerparkATaolDOTcom