Has anyone used the Biology Lab Manual from Castle Heights?

[April in CA]

Hello Everybody!
I am in the midst of putting together a bio course for my 9th grade son. I have pretty much settled on Bio: Exploring Life. However, the product specialist from Prentice Hall said that she wouldn't bother with the lab manual as homeschoolers because she didn't feel we would be able to do many of the labs at home. So, I am wondering if anyone has used the Bio labs manual from Castle Heights and, if so, what you think of it. Were the labs easy to do at home or in the field? What kinds of labs are included? Are they all just demonstrations or do some require some actual use of the scientific method? Anything else you think I should know? Thanks mucho!
Blessings,
April

[Margaret in CO]

Yes, we used it many years ago before Apologia came out. We used it in conjunction with ABeka. There was one lab that required too much equipment that we skipped. It was very good. My dd was one of the few kids in her college bio labs that knew what was going on...

[EKS]

I attempted to use the Castle Heights lab manual. I really couldn't stand it. I can't remember exactly why, except that the labs weren't working like they were supposed to and there wasn't enough information in the manual for me to figure out how to work around it. FWIW, I have a degree in biochemistry and worked in a biochemistry lab for many years.

I know others here have had success with this manual. Maybe I'm just not cut out to do science labs at home or something!

[Robin in DFW]

she used Walch Power Basics Biology along with other sources. We did some of the labs from this book, but many of them were just not clear. Sometimes there would be directions given with a "but first" at the end of the directions...you really had to read and reread to make sure you were doing everything in order.

Also, we found some of the microscope/slide labs just didn't work.

Robin

[HollyinNNV]

Hello Everybody!
I am in the midst of putting together a bio course for my 9th grade son. I have pretty much settled on Bio: Exploring Life. However, the product specialist from Prentice Hall said that she wouldn't bother with the lab manual as homeschoolers because she didn't feel we would be able to do many of the labs at home. So, I am wondering if anyone has used the Bio labs manual from Castle Heights and, if so, what you think of it. Were the labs easy to do at home or in the field? What kinds of labs are included? Are they all just demonstrations or do some require some actual use of the scientific method? Anything else you think I should know? Thanks mucho!
Blessings,
April

We are using the PH biology manual that goes with the Dragonfly book. I disagree with the specialist. Of course I have to buy things for the labs, but home training tools has most of it. We aren't doing all the labs-about 30 of them. And a few of the labs don't require many materials at all.
FWIW,
Holly

[April in CA]

Thank you all for your replies - we have a good microscope (from sonlight) and a collection of science lab supplies so maybe we can just give the official lab manual a whirl.
Blessings,
April

[CathieC]

I just ordered the Castle Heights biology lab manual. Really hoping it's improved since those who posted it used it. I need something clear for my unscientific mind. Our curriculum- Thinkwell- doesn't include lab suggestions so I needed something!

[Kris]

Hello Everybody!
I am in the midst of putting together a bio course for my 9th grade son. I have pretty much settled on Bio: Exploring Life. However, the product specialist from Prentice Hall said that she wouldn't bother with the lab manual as homeschoolers because she didn't feel we would be able to do many of the labs at home. So, I am wondering if anyone has used the Bio labs manual from Castle Heights and, if so, what you think of it. Were the labs easy to do at home or in the field? What kinds of labs are included? Are they all just demonstrations or do some require some actual use of the scientific method? Anything else you think I should know? Thanks mucho!
Blessings,
April

We just used it this past year and my son didn't have any trouble with the labs -- and really loved it. It's part of the reason he wanted to do chemistry this year -- so he could do more labs! LOL!

I might have my facts mixed up, but I think it was re-written recently. Also, I've had quite a bit of contact with the lady who sells it and if someone has a problem with anything, she really wants to know. If I remember correctly, it's her mother who wrote the books.

[April in CA]

Thanks for this new info! Good to know it may have been revised for improved clarity. Now I can add it to my order from Home Science Tools. I should be able to open my own curriculum store by the time my guys graduate...
Blessings,
April

We just used it this past year and my son didn't have any trouble with the labs -- and really loved it. It's part of the reason he wanted to do chemistry this year -- so he could do more labs! LOL!

I might have my facts mixed up, but I think it was re-written recently. Also, I've had quite a bit of contact with the lady who sells it and if someone has a problem with anything, she really wants to know. If I remember correctly, it's her mother who wrote the books.

[sweetbaby]

We have Power Basic Biology in addition to CLP's to use with CHP lab. From flipping through, the lab book appears to almost be a curriculum in itself. It's filled with information and a lot of reading but you are suppose to pick and choose which labs you prefer. There are many in there.

[JennifersLost]

I wanted to add that I also have the Prentice Hall Exploring Life lab manual and it looks great to me. They have a ton of labs - way more than could ever be done in a year unless that's the main thing you do. I think they include that many so teachers would have a choice.

I plan to do about 23 of them. I think I went through and found 10 that didn't require anything other than basic "around the house" type stuff, and 13 that required me to purchase some materials. I feel I will only be "stretched" by a few of the labs. Overall, so far I'm really pleased with this textbook set.