behind in science need help with curriculum choices

[Ame E.]

I will have 2 in 9th grade next year. They did not do science this year. Therefore, we will probably do physical science.

I am looking at Apologia, Prentice Hall Science (with lesson plans from Kolbe academy), or Life Pac or perhaps an online course of some kind. I am also open to a video science course.

Which of these would be good for children with a very modest science background? Which of these either has an elaborate teacher's manual explaining all the answers, or can be worked thorugh independently with some supervision.

Thanks.

[periwinkle]

It was designed especially for homeschoolers, so it should be!:) Your kiddos should be able to do fine with the Physical Science book, although there may be a little bit of a learning curve at the beginning. I had to work pretty closely with my middle ds for the first few modules, but now he is working independently and doing well.

I don't know about the Prentice Hall text, sorry.

[FloridaLisa]

Another vote for Apologia. Also keep in mind that Physical Science is not a prerequisite for Apologia biology. Two of my dc are using it now and enjoying it. My older ds used Apologia Biology without doing the Physical Science book and after a year of informal (delight-directed) science. His transition was not so much in learning the material as in learning *how* to study from a text. He needed to learn how to outline or take notes from the text and how to study for a test.

HTH,
Lisa

[Beth in TN]

Many students is PS do Physical Science in 9th grade so do not feel that you are *behind* by using it. I use Apologia and recommend them as well. The physical science text 2nd edition is great. My umbrella school (HomeLife Academy) does give HS credit for phsyical science, but it is not counted as a Lab science.