Science decisions....which is a better path?

[Kfamily]

Hi!

I am trying to decide how to handle science. We are carrying so much in the next couple of years (grades 6-8) to prepare for high school that I don't want science to be overwhelming but I do need her to be prepared for biology in 9th.

Here are my options:

1. 7th grade-botany
8th grade- pre-chemistry

2. 7th grade-botany and pre-chemistry
8th grade-general science or physical science

I really don't want to use Apologia. I am thinking about Prentice Hall or maybe God's Design (Answers in Genesis) but am worried the latter won't be enough. I would add other books to this. I want to prepare her for high school so I need to lay a solid foundation but not allow science to dominate our week. We will be focused more on writing, Latin and math. I haven't followed science as well as other subjects so if I have missed something please share.

What do you think of these options? Which books would you recommend?

Thanks everyone!:001_smile:

[Brenda in MA]

for middle school. The lessons are short and to the point, and the kit comes with all the needed lab supplies. Over two years, it covers physics/chemistry (yr 1) and biology/earth science (yr 2). I had one use this and then go on to high school science with no problems. My second is using it right now, and I liked it enough to use it again.

www.beginningspublishing.com

HTH,
Brenda

[Kfamily]

I had forgotten about Rainbow Science. I will definitely check into it!

:001_smile:

[Kfamily]

bump


:D

[Michelle in AL]

I found chemistry to be very helpful in 8th grade before taking Biology in 9th. Biology has quite a bit of chemistry in it now. A thorough physical science class may include chemistry too.

We used Real Science for Kids Chemistry Level 2 in 8th grade. This was a great preparation for biology.

[Carol in Cal.]

Like many, I have not done as much with science as I would have liked to date.

So this year my DD, 7th grade, is doing more science and technology than in past years, and is thriving on it.

She is using Science Explorer and has already worked through 2 of their short books this year. She is in a Nature Awareness program that meets one day per week from 9 until 3, rain or shine--outstanding! She is on an FLL robotics team that competes locally in December. And we have joined a more mature science museum that focusses on physics and biology for frequentish visits. I have been encouraging her to pull out her Snap Circuits kits when she has company, and the combination of her having it and the other person's interest makes her learn it. And instead of taking her to science classes, I have been signing her up for science-oriented field trips from time to time. All in all, this is a good year for her for science, and it's largely because she has come so far with her writing and literature and history that I don't feel nearly as much need to concentrate in those areas.

[Kfamily]

I was just looking at the Chemistry II at Real Science for Kids and I was wondering if we would be better off doing Chemistry I first or if II would be okay to start with. This looked really good and I had planned on some chemistry for exactly the reason you stated. Also, dd has had only a little chemistry related science. We are doing electricity and magnetism and inventors this year for 6th but I need to introduce this terminology with her before starting high school level science. I had also considered The Mystery of the Periodic Table. What do you think about this book? Should we do Chemistry I in 7th? I was planning on some botany as well. We need to cover a little more of this too.


Hope I am not bombarding you with questions!:lol:


Thanks for all your help!

[Kfamily]

I will take a look at Science Explorer too.

I will also be hoping that we too will be more settled in history and writing and maybe by 8th we can devote more attention to science!:001_smile:

Thank you!

[Carol in Cal.]

I was just looking at the Chemistry II at Real Science for Kids and I was wondering if we would be better off doing Chemistry I first or if II would be okay to start with. This looked really good and I had planned on some chemistry for exactly the reason you stated. Also, dd has had only a little chemistry related science. We are doing electricity and magnetism and inventors this year for 6th but I need to introduce this terminology with her before starting high school level science. I had also considered The Mystery of the Periodic Table. What do you think about this book? Should we do Chemistry I in 7th? Thanks for all your help!


Chemistry II is a very meaty book--it is outstanding, but if you have done no chemistry to speak of and really want to focus on it, I would suggest the following sequence:

RS4K Level 1
Exploring the World of Chemistry by Tiner
RS4K Level 2

I LOVE RS4K, but it's undeniably pricey. I have a chemical engineering background, and RS4K introduces the real language of chemistry better than anything else I have seen. Level 1 is pitched at about a 5th grade level, but Level 2 is at about an 8th grade level. Both are quite abstract. I thought that Level 2 was too hard for my DD in the 6th grade, but too good to miss, so in 6th we used the Tiner book and quickly reviewd Level 1; and next year we will go back and do level 2 as part of 8th grade.

So many books, so little time!

[Beth in SW WA]

Its a bummer you don't like Apologia because General Science is a great middle school science course. It has prepared ds well for Bio in 8th. He also scored high on the science portion of the CAT/5 in the Spring. He said it was from General Science.

This is our plan thus far. Ds is currently in 8th:

6th: PH Science Explorer (read a bit, nothing too formal)
7th: Apologia General (tough'ish class w/ studying, notes, tests, vocab)
8th: Bio, Exploring Life by Prentice Hall (intense, lots of studying)
9th: Apologia Chem w/ online class (probably TPS)
10th: Advanced Bio -- not sure what material

[Kfamily]

:lol::lol:


Beth, I am not completely against Apologia. I just didn't want to use it because I had heard it wasn't "enough" and I knew it was time-consuming but having said that I think I really should keep in mind that it might be just fine for the middle school years but maybe not for high school years. I have a friend using General Science and has offered it to me when finished so I might consider it. I like your plan!

Carol, thank you for helping me with the chemistry. I like your plan, too. I thought I might should do Chemistry I and the book by Tiner in 7th and would then be ready for Chemistry II in 8th.

...lots of thinking to do!

Thanks everyone!

[Beth in SW WA]

I think Apologia is more than enough for middle school and high school. I'm not a big fan of Jay Wile, but for the ease of use & price, its perfect for hs'ers who are not uber-science-y :)

Many folks here add Thinkwell lectures or The Teaching Company lectures to the Apologia materials. That is my plan.

Keep us posted on what you decide. :)

[Elinor Everywhere]

This is our plan thus far. Ds is currently in 8th:

6th: PH Science Explorer (read a bit, nothing too formal)
7th: Apologia General (tough'ish class w/ studying, notes, tests, vocab)
8th: Bio, Exploring Life by Prentice Hall (intense, lots of studying)
9th: Apologia Chem w/ online class (probably TPS)
10th: Advanced Bio -- not sure what material

Beth,

I am in the process of mapping out dd's science. At this time she wants to go into the medical profession (doctor), so although I am not science-oriented at all, I need to plan a path for her that will get her where she wants to go.

My question is: your son is using PH Exploring Life this year - are you teaching it yourself or is he taking an actual class?

[Beth in SW WA]

Beth,


My question is: your son is using PH Exploring Life this year - are you teaching it yourself or is he taking an actual class?

We are doing it at home & it is going well. I was nervous at first (since I'm not science-y) but we are a good clip now & I know ds is retaining the info.

He watches the Thinkwell lectures that go along w/ each chapter. For instance, he started chapter 6 today -- more about Cells. He will watch about 15 lectures that loosely go along w/ the text. For $25, Thinkwell has been such a great addition. Dr. Wolfe does a great job & is passionate about Bio. He does experiments on camera also. Ds takes notes during the lectures.

Ds is taking about 2 weeks per chapter of Bio EL. He reads, makes vocab cards, does the Student Guided Workbook and the chapter review questions in the book. I give the alternative chapter test as a pre-test mid-way through the 2-week chapter cycle. I give the main test as the final test. He has earned strong A's on the last few chapter tests. I am thrilled!!

We are doing labs at home also (nod to Jane):).

All-in-all, I am happy w/ EL. The text is colorful, to-the-point, and ds likes it. Its a great intro-level Bio program. I bought used pieces of the program from various Amazon sources. Maybe $40 total plus the $25 for Thinkwell. The lab kits & microscope broke the bank (dang, kids are expensive!)

I hope that helps you. I'm learning as I go here...:)

[Titus.Two.Five]

This has been a very helpful thread! In fact, it caused me to place an order last night for RS4K Chem level 2 for my 7th and 8th graders. My pocketbook does not thank you, even though *I* do. :lol:

No really, I didn't realize that a middle school level Chem course would be so foundational to Biology in 9th. I think I 'get it', but could someone here better explain *why* that is? (yes, I am very non-science-y).

I have been just using Apologia Elem Zoology 2 with ALL of my kids together, I read to them, discuss, demonstrate if needed and the older do written summaries. This thread has convinced me that even though I was SURE that they didn't need more formal science this year (they had it in PS every. single. year. afterall), that I best rethink that because I have one that will do Apologia high school Biology next year.

PS. I'll keep doing the Apologia Elem for my 10 and 7 yr olds

[Elinor Everywhere]

We are doing it at home & it is going well. I was nervous at first (since I'm not science-y) but we are a good clip now & I know ds is retaining the info.

He watches the Thinkwell lectures that go along w/ each chapter. For instance, he started chapter 6 today -- more about Cells. He will watch about 15 lectures that loosely go along w/ the text. For $25, Thinkwell has been such a great addition. Dr. Wolfe does a great job & is passionate about Bio. He does experiments on camera also. Ds takes notes during the lectures.

Ds is taking about 2 weeks per chapter of Bio EL. He reads, makes vocab cards, does the Student Guided Workbook and the chapter review questions in the book. I give the alternative chapter test as a pre-test mid-way through the 2-week chapter cycle. I give the main test as the final test. He has earned strong A's on the last few chapter tests. I am thrilled!!

We are doing labs at home also (nod to Jane):).

All-in-all, I am happy w/ EL. The text is colorful, to-the-point, and ds likes it. Its a great intro-level Bio program. I bought used pieces of the program from various Amazon sources. Maybe $40 total plus the $25 for Thinkwell. The lab kits & microscope broke the bank (dang, kids are expensive!)

I hope that helps you. I'm learning as I go here...:)

Wow, yes, that was very helpful! I've copied & pasted everything into a Word document so I can refer to it when 8th grade comes around. Your schedule is very similar to what I've been trying to map out, but having a hard time doing. We are using Prentice Hall this year & 1/2 of 6th (chemistry). The other half of 6th I want to do Astronomy & I loved the look of Math & the Cosmos, maybe combined with Signs & Seasons. That gives me 7th to do Apologia General, & then 8th Campbell's Bio, like you are doing.

Thanks also for the lab suggestions - I *need* kits because otherwise the experiments don't get done. Can't we just read about it? :D

[Beth in SW WA]

Elinor,

Eliana & April in CA have been helpful in my EL quest. Give them a 'shout out' for more specifics. They rock :)

Keep your eyes peeled for a used copy of Thinkwell cds. Mine are from 2004, but still "current" and the same as what they sell now.

[Shelly in IL]

Here is another happy Rainbow user. IT is awesome that he can just pick up his science and do it independently. Honestly, all I do is check to make sure he is answering the questions properly and discuss a bit after each weeks' assignments. I am happy. and, science is GETTING DONE!!!

[Elinor Everywhere]

Elinor,

Eliana & April in CA have been helpful in my EL quest. Give them a 'shout out' for more specifics. They rock :)

Keep your eyes peeled for a used copy of Thinkwell cds. Mine are from 2004, but still "current" and the same as what they sell now.

Great, Beth, I will. Thank you!!

[Gwen in VA]

I would like to second Beth's recommendation for Thinkwell's Biology lectures. They are fantastic!

George Wolff is entertaining, dynamic, and fascinating. We are not attempting to coordinate the lectures with my son's biology text; we are just taking them as they come. The lectures help ds make more sense out of the subjects he has already covered; the lectures help introduce the subjects that come later in his text.

The Thinkwell lectures are the best part of our biology studies this year.

[Beth in SW WA]

:iagree:

I would be hard-pressed to find a local Bio class, whether it be private, public or home school co-op that comes close to what Dr. Wolfe can provide us.

[Hoggirl]

I would like to second Beth's recommendation for Thinkwell's Biology lectures. They are fantastic!

George Wolff is entertaining, dynamic, and fascinating. We are not attempting to coordinate the lectures with my son's biology text; we are just taking them as they come. The lectures help ds make more sense out of the subjects he has already covered; the lectures help introduce the subjects that come later in his text.

The Thinkwell lectures are the best part of our biology studies this year.

Where can one buy these? Are there different levels? I googled it and found something for AP Biology? Ya'll can't keep talking about this if you're not gonna provide a link! ;) Just teasin'! (But please link! :lol:)

[Beth in SW WA]

Where can one buy these? Are there different levels? I googled it and found something for AP Biology? Ya'll can't keep talking about this if you're not gonna provide a link! ;) Just teasin'! (But please link! :lol:)

Here is the Thinkwell website:

http://www.thinkwell.com/marketing/viewTitle.cfm?disciplineID=2&displayID=17

Here are used copies at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Thinkwell-Biology-George-Wolfe/dp/096783578X

[Elinor Everywhere]

Here is the Thinkwell website:

http://www.thinkwell.com/marketing/viewTitle.cfm?disciplineID=2&displayID=17

Here are used copies at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Thinkwell-Biology-George-Wolfe/dp/096783578X

This is strange....on the Thinkwell site the CDs are $25, but on the Amazon site they are $105. They can't possibly be the same thing; what do you think?