Please help me decide about science: Rainbow v. Apologia

[Momto5girls]

Sixth grade dd has never really done formal science. She is using SL 6 this year, and it's going okay but the spine is written way over her head. Also, I'm not sure if I want to spend the whole year on evolution (they use TOPS also, but we're not really crazy about them).

I was planning on starting her on Apologia General Science next year, but without having done formal science previously, I'm wondering if I should ditch the SL and do Rainbow Science as a precursor to Apologia. This could get her feet wet and become familiar with topics before going into more depth with Apologia. I think Rainbow is a two year course, so I thought I could do it for 6th and 7th, then start Apologia with 8th.

So I'm debating whether to start Apologia General Science next year, or wait until 8th and do two years of Rainbow. If I do this, should I skip general science altogether? I just don't know.

Are there any other recommendations of what I could use this year to gently introduce her to general science before next year? I just feel like we don't need to spend most our time studying evolution this year, and that time could be best used preparing her for higher level science.

Any opinions would be so greatly appreciated.

thanks so much,
lisa

[KathyBC]

I think that sounds like a great idea, Lisa!

[8FillTheHeart]

You could have her do one of the Cyber Ed Plato classes (earth/space or life science). They are geared toward middle schoolers, have lectures, built in review, application sections, and quizzes. My kids like them. We do those in addition to the Prentice Hall books. (The Cyber Ed approach might help b/c they really teach the concepts......easier to understand than reading a book.)

https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_epp_offer&Itemid=323

The Apologia's general science course is extremely basic. It really doesn't require any prior knowledge, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[CLHCO]

I love Rainbow. Love, love, love it. I have previewed both programs, spoken with both authors, and heard Dr. Weil of Apologia speak. I have complete respect for Dr. Weil's knowledge but his program was not for us this year.

Don't assume Rainbow, because the descriptions are less wordy, are necessarily easier though. My daughters started it older than your dd and were plenty challenged, though not overwhelmed, which I think other programs sometimes can cause. However, it is pretty user friendly to any child, perhaps especially one who has had limited science study.

If the plan is to go to Apologia, I would do the 2 years of Rainbow - just 'cause I like it so much ;), then move to Apologia. There is no reason to skip the general science. It would probably be a good warm-up for taking high school Apologia courses because of the similar format, but by then your daughter will be older and far more science savvy, not likely to be overwhelmed by the content of Apologia.

[Carol in Cal.]

Do you want your children to learn mainstream, old earth geology and evolution from someone who agrees with it or from someone who opposes it?

IIRC, I learned the old earth stuff from school and the apologetical stuff from separate books about Creation Science. I never had any trouble knowing both and keeping them straight.

Apologia, though, integrates that young earth teaching into a theory sometimes called Catastrophism. So the old earth stuff is taught in such a way that it is belittled and criticized a great deal, and clearly the author feels that he has disproven it completely.

Now, I happen to be a young earth creationist, but I'm using Science Explorer for my DD. I want her to learn the best that the old earth people have to offer, so that she really thoroughly understands mainstream science. But I'm also discussing and providing resources from the Creationist POV for her, and am clear about what I believe.

I reached this decision during the last 6 months, with a great deal of difficulty. I attended the local CHEA conference in April, planning to compare Rainbow and Apologia and buy one of them (probably Apologia). I studied Apologia in depth, and felt unable to quite decide to buy it--an irresolution that I rarely have. In many ways it is perfect for DD--there is a CD with the audio lectures, which is her preferred way to learn. The style is that of a lecturer, so it's wordy but not that dense. The review is reasonable, although I think that the questions and answers are more regurgitative than I would prefer. It really would have suited DD's style very well. But I just couldn't quite bring myself to buy it, and now I have settled happily into a year of Science Explorer Biology books, along with some physical science as enrichment.

Anyway, I don't know what is best for you, but I have to say that I'm very pleased with Science Explorer so far, and I think that I will be able to retain my DD's faith better if she is better informed about the mainstream, and also that this will help keep her options more open in high school and college.

(Having said that, I now am completely lost as to what to do for high school. If not Apologia, then what???)

[74Heaven]

I agree wholeheartedly with CherylCO - Rainbow is a great introduction to science for a middle schooler. I have two dtrs, the younger is science-oriented and the older is not. Rainbow was our first real science as well. It was *excellent* preparation for Apologia high school sciences.

Here's what we did (and I am thrilled with the results in every way).
Rainbow Science in 5/6 for younger and grades 7/8 for older
Apologia Physical Science 7th foryounger dtr/ 9th for older
Apologia Biology 8th for younger, 10th for older.

This year we have switched to BJU Chemistry primarily so that we can use the DVDs and I will be relieved of teaching science. I think I would have highly preferred Spectrum Chem (by Rainbow) or Apologia.

Rainbow is thorough, doable and easy to teach and easy-to-use. One of my three favorite homeschool curriclulums. (The others are Shurley English and 100 Easy Lessons.)

God's best
Lisaj

[8FillTheHeart]

I made the conscience decision to eliminate all Apologia from our homeschool for the exact same reason. I am not a young earth creationist, but I have used plenty of young earth materials that we have thoroughly enjoyed and learned tons from. Wile teaches like it is a non-issue and is condescending to other view points.

There are great books out there for high school. You'll be fine. :)

[Violet]

Sixth grade dd has never really done formal science. She is using SL 6 this year, and it's going okay but the spine is written way over her head. Also, I'm not sure if I want to spend the whole year on evolution (they use TOPS also, but we're not really crazy about them).

I was planning on starting her on Apologia General Science next year, but without having done formal science previously, I'm wondering if I should ditch the SL and do Rainbow Science as a precursor to Apologia. This could get her feet wet and become familiar with topics before going into more depth with Apologia. I think Rainbow is a two year course, so I thought I could do it for 6th and 7th, then start Apologia with 8th.

So I'm debating whether to start Apologia General Science next year, or wait until 8th and do two years of Rainbow. If I do this, should I skip general science altogether? I just don't know.

Are there any other recommendations of what I could use this year to gently introduce her to general science before next year? I just feel like we don't need to spend most our time studying evolution this year, and that time could be best used preparing her for higher level science.

Any opinions would be so greatly appreciated.

thanks so much,
lisa

I know there was a post about a controversial picture in So You Really Want to Learn Science 2 from Galore Park in regard to reproduction (an outline silhouette, which I have not seen). We are using SYRWTLS 1 with dd 11 this year. She's enjoying it, and it seems very thorough. You can order it from Book Depository. Also, you can check it out at Galore Park books. This is a text used in British prep schools. GP has really awesome materials.

Best,
Anita

[Momto5girls]

you've given me a lot to consider! I think I'm leaning toward Rainbow, especially since I really would like dd to work pretty independently this year (I will take a look at Galore Park, though - thanks!).

Lisa J, if dd did Rainbow for 6th and 7th, what level Apologia would you start in 8th? Would general science be too redundant? Also, did you by the entire package? I can't really afford everything right now, so I though of buying the books and trying to gather my own supplies until I have the money for the whole kit. Would this be too burdensome?

I appreciate your thoughts and critiques of Apologia. As young earth creationists, I don't see it as being a problem right now.

Thanks!
Lisa

[Momto5girls]

bump

[rhrice3]

We have used Apologia Gen'l for my first child, and he continued with Apologia into high school. He had done Sonlight science up until we switched to Apologia in 7th grade.
My second child has had no formal science curriculum in her life, except, I believe, the Sonlight 5 which goes over human body. We did that together with big brother many years ago. She has always loved animals and nature so she reads many books on the subject. That being said, she skipped Gen'l Science last year and has gone right into Physical Science this year as an 8th grader. She does it independently with me checking all her work and experiment reports.
I think that regardless of what you do in the 6th grade, just an everyday general knowledge of the world out there, will be ok to start Apologia next year.
Good luck
ReneeR

[Julie in MN]

I love Rainbow. Love, love, love it. I have previewed both programs, spoken with both authors, and heard Dr. Weil of Apologia speak. I have complete respect for Dr. Weil's knowledge but his program was not for us this year.

Don't assume Rainbow, because the descriptions are less wordy, are necessarily easier though. My daughters started it older than your dd and were plenty challenged, though not overwhelmed, which I think other programs sometimes can cause. However, it is pretty user friendly to any child, perhaps especially one who has had limited science study.


Totally agreeing with Cheryl & Lisa. Rainbow is solid academics, it guarantees your kids will do the experiments, & most kids like the methods (and may learn better that way?). The only caveat is that parents should use the parent manual and make sure the kids are not skipping over the main points. The new quizzes online help that, too. The teacher manual info is short, and I like the discussions that ensue.

There is no reason to think Rainbow would just be a preparation course before Apologia. However, if one wants to spend more time in "junior high science," then Apologia could be used for 9th - probably physical, which Rainbow would have covered early on, back in early 7th grade.

By the way, Rainbow does acknowledge a creator several times, but leaves it to the parent to teach the rest of the theology.

[sagira]

Not to hijack a thread here, but does anybody actually use Spectrum Science (the follow-up to Rainbow from the same publisher) after Rainbow?