Biology: Gr 9 Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide/Aplogia/other

[Karin]

Now that algebra and Latin appear to be planned (Dolciani and Wheelocks, the latter to be followed by Oxford), I'm gearing up to think through biology. In the second edition of WTM, which I borrowed from the library as I'm holding out for the 3rd edition before I rebuy (if there will be one) SWB's main recommendation is the Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide although Apolgia is listed as an alternative. I'll number the questions to make it easier to see as there are a number of them here.

1. Has anyone used the self-teaching one by Steven D Garber (in the Wiley's series)?
2. If so, how did it work?
3. Would it work well for a student who plans to major in science.
She will need to do lab work, and there are a couple of recommendations in WTM, but feel free to recommmend any others you know are good.

4. How about Apologia?
5. Would Apologia be well-suited for a would-be science major?
6. I know Apologia is Christian, but does it have a stronger Protestant or Catholic slant?
7. How would Apologia work for a fairly independent learner?
Dh has a major in Forest Management, and I have a minor in animal biology, so we can help her reasonably well.

8.Are there other good, solid programs?
I'd rather not spend a fortune on science books as we will need to get a microscope, etc, but do want to ensure she'll get what she needs.

[Eliana]

I was very dissatisfied with the self-teaching guides. I do not feel they are a good spine for a science course.

I dislike the Apologia, so I should let someone with a better perspective share.

After lots of research, I felt that Campbell 's Exploring Life with, at least, the accompanying lab manual is the best option out there for a solid 1st year of high school biology.

Here's the publisher's website (http://www.usingexploringlife.com/takealook.html).

[melissaL]

I bought the self teach guides, and when I looked at them I realised that there is no way that I can teach it. it looks as if the books are meant to go with a course or may be a tutor. they aren't self teach guides at all! they don't explained things very well, they move too quickly through the topics, and they have the answers right under the questions.????
I bought them for my son to start this year, but are now going to buy the Apologia, which is a self teach book. pages of information, then the questions.
MelissaL

[melissaL]

just re-looked at your questions.
you can look at the scope and sequence of Apologia at their web sight. not sure on the protestant / catholic question. I know it has a large section pulling apart evolution.
one thing I noted though;
the Apologia covers Mendel's laws, and the willies self teach guide doesn't mention it at all.
the self teach guide has a large section on human reproduction. and the apologia doesn't mention it at all.

the Apoilgea offers advanced books for year 12

the best thing would to know someone with the books so you could look at them.
MelissaL

[LisaNY]

We never got to use it, but I purchased "Holt Biology - Visualizing Life". My dd went to ps in 10th.

I really, really like the text. It is clearly laid out and thorough, IMO. I bought it used - it's the one with a lion on the cover. ISBN# 0-03-016723-X

[Gwen in VA]

I will be using Holt Bio next year.

We have Campbell's and ALL the supporting materials, but we will not be using it for two reasons:

1) Ds has no interest in biology, so I don't see the point in using a difficult and time-intensive AP text with him;

2) The Holt supporting materials look VERY easy to use. We will be supplementing with the Thinkwell lectures, but I think I have fully planned the course, and I have only spent a few hours looking over the material.

I will say that Campbell's is an EXCELLENT text. You should be aware, however, that it is a college-level text that is frequently used for AP courses. It would be too difficult for many if not most 9th graders. If your child is up for the challenge and is interested enough in biology to merit the increased time commitment, GO FOR IT!

[Eliana]

I will be using Holt Bio next year.

We have Campbell's and ALL the supporting materials, but we will not be using it for two reasons:

1) Ds has no interest in biology, so I don't see the point in using a difficult and time-intensive AP text with him;

2) The Holt supporting materials look VERY easy to use. We will be supplementing with the Thinkwell lectures, but I think I have fully planned the course, and I have only spent a few hours looking over the material.

I will say that Campbell's is an EXCELLENT text. You should be aware, however, that it is a college-level text that is frequently used for AP courses. It would be too difficult for many if not most 9th graders. If your child is up for the challenge and is interested enough in biology to merit the increased time commitment, GO FOR IT!

Exploring Life is *not* an AP text; it is intended for 9th grade.

Biology: Concepts and Connections could be used as an AP text and "Biology" is a 1st rate, but challenging, AP text.

[ksva]

"In the second edition of WTM, which I borrowed from the library as I'm holding out for the 3rd edition before I rebuy (if there will be one) SWB's main recommendation is the Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide although Apolgia is listed as an alternative. I'll number the questions to make it easier to see as there are a number of them here.

1. Has anyone used the self-teaching one by Steven D Garber (in the Wiley's series)?
2. If so, how did it work?"

We used the Self-Teaching Guide. I really disliked it, but dc said they wanted to do it. They added plenty of outside reading, reports, and an experiment here and there to it. That's the only thing that 'saved' it, IMO.

"4. How about Apologia?"

We looked at Apologia and didn't like it. Sloppy use of the scienctific language, dh said.

As a side note, I found it interesting that 19yod took the Iowa test not long ago (her idea, not mine) and scored in the high 90's in science. Her other scores were no surprise to me, but I *was* surprised how high the science. I was already thinking that science was one of those subjects that aren't really subjects, and this more of less confirmed it for me :) Anyway, HTH.
KathyP

[Gwen in VA]

Eliana,

Absolutely! The Holt Exploring Life is not an AP text. If my son were interested/capable of doing AP work, we would use Campbell's text, but since he is not a super-motivated student and he will only be in 9th grade, we are going the clearly non-AP route.

I didn't get the impression that the original poster was interested in an AP course. If she were planning on going the AP route, I would strongly recommend the Campbell's text.

Since someone has recommended the Campbell text, I was just trying to caution the OP that the Campbell text is VERY advanced and not to be used by the faint-of-heart!

I am sorry if my post was not clear!

[Eliana]

Eliana,

Absolutely! The Holt Exploring Life is not an AP text. If my son were interested/capable of doing AP work, we would use Campbell's text, but since he is not a super-motivated student and he will only be in 9th grade, we are going the clearly non-AP route.

I didn't get the impression that the original poster was interested in an AP course. If she were planning on going the AP route, I would strongly recommend the Campbell's text.

Since someone has recommended the Campbell text, I was just trying to caution the OP that the Campbell text is VERY advanced and not to be used by the faint-of-heart!

I am sorry if my post was not clear!

:) I am not being very clear myself... I was trying to clarify that Exploring Life is a Campbell text, but definitely not an AP one.

Campbell has 4 different Biology textbooks - the big one, Biology, and the one he is best known for, is an AP text, and a *really* fabulous one.. and is used in college 200 level Bio classes.

His Biology: Concepts and Connections is also a college text, often used in 100 level Bio courses for non science majors, and makes an easier AP text.

His Essential Biology is even simpler, but is really a further simplification of the original text, and not a good primary text for any class, imnsho.

His Biology: Exploring Life is a high school text, and is *perfect* for and 9th grade student. It can be a solid foundation for a rigorous AP course, or the only bio class a student ever takes. It is not an advanced course, and can be undertaken, even by the faint of heart. (I think I gave the publisher's website for this text in an earlier post.)

I hope I am making a little bit more sense! ...and I'm sorry to be to muddling!:)

[Gwen in VA]

Wow -- I had NO idea that Campbell wrote so many texts! He must be a busy guy!

Thank you for explaining about all the Campbell texts. I thought that he just wrote the one AP text and had no idea that he had a main-stream 9th grade text as well.

Thanks for clarifying!

[Jane in NC]

:)
Campbell has 4 different Biology textbooks - the big one, Biology, and the one he is best known for, is an AP text, and a *really* fabulous one.. and is used in college 200 level Bio classes.

His Biology: Concepts and Connections is also a college text, often used in 100 level Bio courses for non science majors, and makes an easier AP text.

His Essential Biology is even simpler, but is really a further simplification of the original text, and not a good primary text for any class, imnsho.

His Biology: Exploring Life is a high school text, and is *perfect* for and 9th grade student. It can be a solid foundation for a rigorous AP course, or the only bio class a student ever takes.

Wow -- I had NO idea that Campbell wrote so many texts!

Adding to the confusion, of course, is that each book seems to be updated every couple of years, hence the cover variations. Additionally, biology teachers have their own code for the books. "Campbell" means the massive tome, whereas "Baby Campbell" means, well, I don't know. On the AP Listserv one often reads things like "The Dragonfly text works as well as Baby Campbell." Every discipline has its own code!

Jane

[Karin]

Thank you for these posts. If Apologia has sloppy terms, then I will be unhappy with it as I'm rather fussy about language (you can't tell from my posts, I'm sure). As for evolution, I'm planning to have dd read Darwin's Origin of Species as well as other scientific and theological explanations of the orgins of life (and of the world.) We may not accept the theory of evolution (that was another thread!!!) but she ought to know what it is.

I am going to my very first homeschool conference this spring and will try to look at as many books there as I am able when I'm not in workshops (I plan to go to at least 2 workshops, maybe more). I've already seen a couple copies of Wheelock's Latin (different editions) and will look for these textbooks in our library network as well. But if it's like Algebra, they'll have many poor to middling texts and very few good ones.

[Nan in Mass]

We used the high school bio book with the dragonfly on the cover. It was free from the swop shop at the dump GRIN. I didn't exactly go out comparing textbooks. I found it a little frustrating in spots because it lacked enough detail to be able to figure out what was really going on. I resorted to my mother for the miosis/mitosis bit, but that might just be that I never had biology. There were whole chapters we had covered in middle school using How Nature Works and books in the children's section of the library. Other chapters, like the one on chemistry, we needed to suppliment our natural history. My son did the human anatomy portion along with magazine articles and the colouring book for half a credit of human anatomy in 10th grade. In general, it was colourful, interesting, and not too hard.
-Nan

[Beth in SW WA]

After lots of research, I felt that Campbell 's Exploring Life with, at least, the accompanying lab manual is the best option out there for a solid 1st year of high school biology.

Here's the publisher's website (http://www.usingexploringlife.com/takealook.html).

Eliana,

How many labs did you do from the EL lab manual? Did you need any special equipment?

Are you the one here that also likes virtual labs? Maybe that is Ellie...

Thanks!!

[MaryM]

. On the AP Listserv one often reads things like "The Dragonfly text works as well as Baby Campbell." Every discipline has its own code!

Jane

Just a couple of tidbits that might be interesting:

The "Dragonfly" book isn't a Campbell book...the authors are Miller and Levine.

Btw, Campbell is now deceased. The publisher continues with the spin offs though!!

Another big fan of the big Campbell for AP.

Mary

[Eliana]

Eliana,

How many labs did you do from the EL lab manual? Did you need any special equipment?

Are you the one here that also likes virtual labs? Maybe that is Ellie...

Thanks!!

Except for a few slides, I'm pretty sure that all the equipment I've gotten is available at Home Science Tools (they are *wonderful*!). The only big ticket item was the microscope - there is so much exploration to do that skipping the things which require big expenses doesn't, imho, detract from the quality of a bio course at all (though I believe that a microscope is essential).

I am a strong advocate of virtual dissection for high school students and (rant available upon request :) ), but I would not recommend doing other labs virtually.

Here's a list of EL labs - some of them I'm listing b/c they closely resemble something else that I do. I have a lot of material from friends who teach biology - and I love some of their labs so much!


4 & 4A, 5 & 5A, 6A, 7 & 7A, 8 & 8A, 9, 10, 11, 12A, 16, 17, 24A, 26, 27A, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35A

Some simple suggestions for specific chapters:

Chapter 4:



Investigate physical versus chemical changes by burning a candle, dissolving salt in water, adding silver nitrate to the dissolved salt, adding antacids to vinegar.
Test the pH of various household liquids using either litmus paper or an indicator dye (such as cabbage juice).
Chem model kits

Chapter 5:



Test compounds for presence of glucose, proteins, and fats using benedict's solution, biuret reagent, and brown paper.
Study enzymes by comparing catalase levels of different tissues (potato, apple, spinach, liver) by adding a sample of each tissue to hydrogen peroxide

Chapter 6:



Make wet mounts of animal (cheek cell) and plant (elodea) cells.
Investigate limits of surface area to volume ratio in cells using differently sized phenolthalein agar blocks and a sodium hydroxide solution (Mini Lab: How Big is too big or Investigative Lab 6)

Unit 3:



Perform a pipe cleaner simulation of chromosome movements during mitosis and meiosis.
For a paper-and-pencil analysis of karyotyes, give each student a picture of a chromosome spread, and have them cut out and arrange the chromosome and determine if any aneuploidies are present.
Perform a paper-and-pencil analysis of a DNA sequence when cut by different restriction enzymes (give students a DNA sequence, the recognition site of particular enzyme, then have them use scissors to produce restriction fragments).
Arrange the above restriction fragments in the order they would appear on an electrophoresis gel.

Chapter 14:

Create a dichotomous key for a group of objects (classroom supplies, assorted hardware, pictures of fictional organisms

One of my favorite fairly simple lab activities for this topic is a paper dot evolution lab - you can see something similar on pages 78-80 (I think) here (http://www.scribd.com/doc/3674917/Teaching-About-Evolution-and-the-Nature-of-Science).

I don't think a student will grasp phylogenetic trees unless s/he works with them a little bit - here are a few activities (I wish I could just put up the ones I've been given, but they aren't my material.): one (http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/WWC/1995/simulation_tree.php), two (http://www.wiley.com/college/pratt/0471393878/student/activities/phylogenetic_trees/phylo_activities.html) (fairly complex with links to some great, but challenging sites),three (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson3/additional.html) (a PBS online activity - a little simplistic, but very visual).

Chapter 16:
Here's (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/gram-stain-antibiotics-project.html) a lab similar to the antibiotic resistance lab I like.

Small research project: have student investigate 2 or more antibiotics (can include teatree oil, etc) and compare/contrast them - by what mechanism do they work? For what are they commonly used? etc

Unit 6:


Observe different plant tissues under the microscope.
Dissect monocot and dicot flowers.
Grow plants from cuttings.
Grow plants in different nutrient solutions to see how they affect plant growth.
Observe phototropism by growing grass seeds with a light source from one direction.
Observe the number of stomata in different leaves under a microscope.
Dissect different fruits to observe structures.



I think the most important lab work is loosely structured observation - there needs to be enough structure so that students don't just glance at things and think they know what's going on, but not so much that the focus becomes the forms, or the report, or the process...

Some examples:

Protists: have a wide variety of specimens available - include a list with a sentence or two of information or suggestions for observation. (Ideally the teacher/parent will either know lots of interesting stuff about the specimens or will read up on them before the lab so s/he has interesting tit-bits to share.) To encourage students to connect what they are seeing with their textbook learning require them to so sketches and observations of some of the specimens. [The materials I have require 6, one for each of the following categories: Protist that moves relatively rapidly, Protist that is not stationary but moves relatively slowly, mulitcellular photosynthetic protist, protist with rigid elborate cell walls or shells, protist that causes disease or sickness in animals, protist with very high surface are to volume ratio. For each the student makes sketches, records notes of his/her observations, lists characteristics of the group to which this species belongs, and ways that members of this group directyl influence and/or are used by humans.]

Plant Parts: This is my favorite lab...

Students are given a list with cell organelles; types of plant tissue, and plant organs, with a brief summary of the important concepts about each and the specimens (live and prepared) which illustrate each one. [Students will need some guidance, either written or spoken about where/how to find specific things in each slide/specimen).

Students make at least three sketches based on their microscopic examinations of the specimens - each clearly titles, labeled, and the magnification used listed. They are to be sure that they choose specimens which ensure that they show: cell walls (of varying thickness), central vacuole (incuding key substances present), cell membrane, chloroplasts, amyliplasts, chromoplasts, and nucleus (with brief questions about each).

A sketch is provided of a typical plant. Students are to choose three areas to enlarge in clearly labeled sketches - being sure to clearly show the locations of the 4 tissues).

Students list two differences and two similarities between branch roots and root hairs.

Students explain one way in which humans can make use or plants with a fibrous root system and why they serve that purpose well, and then address the same points for plants with tap root systems.

Make clearly labeled sketches illustrating the similarities and differences between two stem sections observed in lab.

Choose one of the leaves observed and use words and illustrations to compare/contrast it with the typical dicot leaf shown in the text.

And (my favorite!) Identify the "mystery" plant organs [as stem, root, or leaves] and list the distinguishing features which enabled you to identify them. [Edible part of parsnip, baking potato, ginger "root", onion rings, celery sticks, pea vine tendrils - all provided in lab for careful observation.]

Slides used: Helianthus stem, allium root tip, Coleus stem tip, Elodea leaf, Zea leaf cross-section, Ranuculus root, typical dicot leaf cross-section, Nymphaea leaf cross-section

Live specimens used: cactus with spines, aloe with succulent leaves, live photosynthetic leaf samples, green onion, iris plant, lemon balm stem section (and other live stem sections), clover nodules, dandelion versus grass root systems, carrot, radish seedlings, banana (including stringy parts from edge), red pepper, Elodea leaf - and the ones listed under mystery plant organs above.

UW greenhouse tour - For each habitat [desert, acid bog, tropical forest floor, tropical forest canopy, lake/pond] choose and example species and describe: light absorption, water absorption and conservation, nutrient acquisition, and one notable feature.

I've been doing this in snatches today, but I am out of time... though not nearly done trying to share.... sorry, Beth, especially as it has taken me so long to get back to you - with the chagim (holidays) and things, life has been very busy lately!

[April in CA]

Thanks, Eliana! I really appreciate your detailed post. Like Beth, I am doing Exploring Life Bio and am doing a weekly lab session with my son and two of his friends (they are using Apologia). We tesed Antacids today, and we are in the midst of soil testing. Enzymes, here we come!
Blessings,
April

[annabanana1992]

Which version of EL do you recommend? These seems to be some new version that is internet intensive...

[Beth in SW WA]

Wow, Eliana -- Thank you! This is extremely helpful. Which microscope do you recommend from HST?

Anna,
I think we are all using the one w/ the lizard eye on the front.
http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZ3R9&PMDbSiteID=2781&PMDbSolutionID=6724&PMDbProgramId=22021&level=4&prognav=po

I bought the text, tests w/ answers, activity CD, student workbook for under $50'ish from various Amazon sources.

We are using the Thinkwell Bio lectures also ($20). I'm still figuring out labs. I"m about ready to purchase a microscope and supplies any day now. Decisions, decisions :)

[Michelle in MO]

Concepts and Connections in 11th grade this year. So far she's been doing really pretty well with the material.

We did use Apologia in 9th grade, mostly because for me (Mom) it was very easy to use and written to the student. We do believe in God as the creator, but I think we (dh and I) would be more in the category of believing in old-earth creation or intelligent design. Apologia didn't bother me in that regard. We also used Apologia for chemistry last year, so I can't compare it to Campbell's Exploring Life. I think it's good that the Campbell's text she's using this year has the discussions on evolution, because I know she'll encounter that in college.

I would say that, using this text, I'm very glad my oldest had the prior years of both biology and chemistry. I think she had a good introduction to biology in 9th grade; we did do many labs and dissections. Also, having the year of chemistry last year really seems to be helping her with understanding the reading and concepts this year in the Concepts and Connections book, because she told me that there was some discussion about chemistry in one of her chapters.

[Karin]

Thanks for all the new information added this week!

This is why I LOVE these new tabs (plus the subscription ability). I went & added some to a few really good old science threads I'd subscribed to last winter & spring (started by various people) and, voila, now there's some more fabulous information here for me when we do actually purchase Biology for gr. 10. I think

[sagira]

I would say that, using this text, I'm very glad my oldest had the prior years of both biology and chemistry. I think she had a good introduction to biology in 9th grade; we did do many labs and dissections. Also, having the year of chemistry last year really seems to be helping her with understanding the reading and concepts this year in the Concepts and Connections book, because she told me that there was some discussion about chemistry in one of her chapters.

This is exactly why I believe in learning about Chemistry first, then Biology, then Physics. Physics because of the harder Math. Chemistry is the study of the building blocks of life (this from a non-science major!).

[Beth in SW WA]

[
We did use Apologia in 9th grade,

Michelle,
How will you report this on transcripts? Bio 1 & Advanced Bio?

My ds looked over all our bio materials today and thinks ds should take at least 2 years to hit all this material, especially at his young age. We'll probably stick w/ our original plan to do Bio "lite" this year. Chem next year for 9th. Then Bio for credit in 10th. How does that sound?

Thanks!!

[Eliana]

Wow, Eliana -- Thank you! This is extremely helpful. Which microscope do you recommend from HST?

This (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/product_categories/17/products/3441-laboratory-binocular-microscope) is the one we have (and love), but it is more than is needed for 9th grade bio. (I like HST's article (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/how-to-select-a-microscope.html) on selecting a microscope; I think their guidelines are really right on.) ...but we went really cheap on the dissecting microscope (this one (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/product_categories/18/products/5814-explorer-microscope-20x)).

[Beth in SW WA]

This (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/product_categories/17/products/3441-laboratory-binocular-microscope) is the one we have (and love), but it is more than is needed for 9th grade bio. (I like HST's article (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/how-to-select-a-microscope.html) on selecting a microscope; I think their guidelines are really right on.) ...but we went really cheap on the dissecting microscope (this one (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/product_categories/18/products/5814-explorer-microscope-20x)).

Wow, you are a big spender! :)

I was hoping for one under $200.

Thanks for the feedback. You are a blessing!

Did you have your dc make vocab cards for the "key terms" in EL?

I really want to synchronize Thinkwell w/ the EL chapters. The Thinkwell lectures are obviously following a different syllabus.

[Eliana]

Wow, you are a big spender! :)

:blush: We saved for it for a little over a year... it was a significant investment, but with six kids, many of them very science oriented, we wanted to know we were buying one which would meet any possible future needs.


I was hoping for one under $200.

The Home Microscope (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/p_mi-4100std.html) is $164 - I've heard good things about it, and it has a bunch of great reviews on the site. Here's the comparison chart (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/microscope-comparison-chart.html) for microscope features from HST - the Home microscope has decent optics and all the essential features for high school work - for a little bit more you can get an adjustable iris diaphragm, and the holes are predrilled so you could choose to add a mechanical stage later, if you felt a need for it. [The National Optic 131 (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/p_mi-3scope.html) is just under $200 - you can look at the discussions on the site about different microscope lighting options to see if you have a preference, but it is otherwise almost identical in essentials to the Home Microscope, as far as I can tell.] We saved for the top of the line for two reasons: 1) to get the best possible optics 2) to have the 1000X magnification The built in mechanical stage, coaxial focusing, and adjustable diaphragm and condenser were nice features, but wouldn't have prompted us to that much larger an expenditure.

After thinking more about it, I think I would recommend the 1000X Home microscope (http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/p_mi-4100dxl.html) - it's $240, but for that extra money you get the higher magnification option, a mechanical stage, and adjustable diaphragm and condensers.


Did you have your dc make vocab cards for the "key terms" in EL?

My eldest did vocab cards for some of the key terms, dd#2 keeps a vocab list at the back of her biology notebook - I suspect that ds will not need to do either... he absorbs terminology so easily.

I think it is *essential* that students learn the core vocabulary, but I've found that each kid does that in different ways.... so I don't require any specific methodology.

I really want to synchronize Thinkwell w/ the EL chapters. The Thinkwell lectures are obviously following a different syllabus.

I glanced briefly at the Thinkwell TOC (is this (http://www.thinkwell.com/marketing/toc.cfm?disciplineID=2&displayID=16) the right one?), and they look fairly compatible - EL doesn't do evolution until later in the book, but they both have the same sequence in the rest of the early chapters: chemistry of biology; into to cells; cellular respiration & photosynthesis; genetics; evolution - they both cover protists, fungi, etc in roughly the same places the biggest difference I see is that Thinkwell does animals before plants, but they both end with a brief overview of ecology.

I'm strongly prejudiced in favor of textual learning, so I, personally, would structure the course around the text, but it looks as if it could work well.

[Michelle in MO]

Michelle,
How will you report this on transcripts? Bio 1 & Advanced Bio?

My ds looked over all our bio materials today and thinks ds should take at least 2 years to hit all this material, especially at his young age. We'll probably stick w/ our original plan to do Bio "lite" this year. Chem next year for 9th. Then Bio for credit in 10th. How does that sound?

Thanks!!

her transcript will look---Biology for 9th grade, Chemistry for 10th grade, and Advanced Biology for 11th grade.

Depending on what you use for chemistry, your ds should be fine, especially if he's at least completed Algebra I, so that he understands the principles of balancing equations. I'm really glad we sandwiched chemistry in between the two biologies.

The Campbell's book my oldest is using is very good, and I agree completely with Eliana about Home Science Tools---they are an excellent homeschooling resource; I've ordered from them several times and have always had good customer service.

[Beth in SW WA]

Thanks, ladies. You are wonderful!! :)

[Karin]

Another option is to get a good used microscope, which is what I did. This way I got a great microscope for about $100.

[KidsHappen]

Eliana,

Absolutely! The Holt Exploring Life is not an AP text. If my son were interested/capable of doing AP work, we would use Campbell's text, but since he is not a super-motivated student and he will only be in 9th grade, we are going the clearly non-AP route.

I didn't get the impression that the original poster was interested in an AP course. If she were planning on going the AP route, I would strongly recommend the Campbell's text.

Since someone has recommended the Campbell text, I was just trying to caution the OP that the Campbell text is VERY advanced and not to be used by the faint-of-heart!

I am sorry if my post was not clear!

I am confused. I am holding the Campbell Exploring Life text in my hand right now and it is published by Prentice Hall not Holt. It has a reptile eye on the cover. Is this the same book you are referring to?

[Beth in SW WA]

I am confused. I am holding the Campbell Exploring Life text in my hand right now and it is published by Prentice Hall not Holt. It has a reptile eye on the cover. Is this the same book you are referring to?

I think Eliana meant to say PH, not Holt.

How are you liking EL?

[KidsHappen]

I think Eliana meant to say PH, not Holt.

How are you liking EL?

Beth,

We haven't actually started this one yet. I am looking at starting in Dec. and going through the summer. I was planning on this child taking biology as dual credit at community college next semester but she doesn't want to do that so it looks like we will be making a lab in the kitchen. Oh, goody! Yay! Do I sound enthusiastic? I'm tryin'. What is it Kelli says, "Fake it 'til you make it!" :tongue_smilie:

[Eliana]

I think Eliana meant to say PH, not Holt.



I think the quoting might have gotten mixed up, b/c I don't think I mentioned a publisher at all - I'm *so* bad at brand names, even for texts, that I try to avoid using them unless I have the book in front of me and can be sure I am getting it right!


....but yes, KidsHappen, the book I have has a reptile eye on the front and a publisher's name beginning with a "P" sounds very familiar....

[KidsHappen]

I think the quoting might have gotten mixed up, b/c I don't think I mentioned a publisher at all - I'm *so* bad at brand names, even for texts, that I try to avoid using them unless I have the book in front of me and can be sure I am getting it right!


....but yes, KidsHappen, the book I have has a reptile eye on the front and a publisher's name beginning with a "P" sounds very familiar....

No, it was Gwen who said Holt and no one corrected so I was confused. Thanks. :)

[jonesloonybin]

The Biology: Exploring life is a Prentice hall
The Biology: Visualizing life is a Holt text.