BJU Grade 7 Life Science question

[Julie in GA]

I'm going to have my ds12 use this next year, while big brother does Apologia Biology. I'm just buying the old version (2nd edition) very cheaply, in case we don't end up liking it.

I'm wondering if:
1) I really need the TM, if I read the lessons along with my ds.
2) I need the activity book. Is this where the rubber meets the road? Are the activities engaging?
3) I need the dissecting stuff, because big brother will be dissecting stuff in biology, and we'll have that stuff. (Can I say "stuff" one more time?)

Any other opinions or advice on this curriculum will be greatly appreciated. I've only used BJU one other time, way back when I taught 6th grade reading at a Christian school.

TIA,

[LilyK]

My 7th grader will also be doing BJU life science. I will be purchasing the entire package based on information gathered on this board. The consensus seems to be that BJU science is very challenging and requires heavy, knowledgeable teacher involvement. I will definitely be buying the TM so that I have all the help I can get, plus the workbook, for reinforcement of concepts.

Good luck.

[Julie in GA]

Is the workbook the activities book, or is the acitivities book something else?

[paula j]

The activities book is the workbook. I'm looking at the year 8 Earth sciences but my goodness is the supply kit ever pricey! I really like the looks of it though.

[Julie in GA]

Thanks, Paula. Yes, I thought the kits were pricey, too.

[Michelle in AL]

Yes, I would say you would need the teacher's manual. The Life science was very in depth. I would think you would need it to know the answers to the end of the chapter ?'s and such. We used these ?'s as tests. The TM was also very helpful to me in scheduling. It saved me much time in planning to be able to follow their schedule.
The activities were engaging and definitely helped to cement concepts. There were lots of new in depth concepts that needed reinforcement in order to stick.