BJU Science--with or without the DVDs?

[6packofun]

Those of you using BJU Science for high school and not in a co-op setting, how teacher intensive is it and do you suggest renting the DVD to use with it so ds can be more independent? TIA!

[teachmom3]

The teacher-intensiveness of the programs depends on the student and on the teacher: If the student doesn't need much explanation, and if the teacher doesn't feel the need to augment, then it would be less teacher-intensive than I'm currently finding it to be. (I am currently using BJUP's Third Edition Biology withOUT the DVD's with a child with autistic spectrum disorder. I also own BJUP's current editions of chemistry and physics.) Because I can't leave any curriculum alone, because I have a graduate degree in a science, because BJUP is (relatively) rigorous, and because my current student requires additional explanation, I'm finding it very teacher-intensive.

BJUP is more teacher-intensive than Apologia. However, it is probably overall more rigorous than Apologia. The biology text covers more than either Apologia's or A Beka's. The chemistry and physics texts cover more than those of Apologia, unless you use Apologia's "advanced" courses in those subjects. BJUP's labs are usually better educationally--but are definitely harder to do--than Apologia's, and usually better than A Beka's labs (depends on the course), although A Beka's labs are probably as difficult to do.

If you don't have a science background and/or if your student needs more explanation than is contained in a textbook, then the DVD's are probably a good idea--although I make this recommendation not ever having used the DVD's.

[Karenciavo]

I'm asking myself the same question for my son who will be using Physical Science in 8th grade next year, mostly because I know me, I'll put off doing this or that until tomorrow and before we know it we will be behind the eight ball. But why does renting the dvds have to be so expensive? Yeesh.