Thinkwell questions

[transientChris]

So someone on a local list recommended thinkwell and told us about the discount available on the homeschool buying coop. Since that didn't have much description, I went to the website and saw that the programs were listed as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, etc. Are these really AP? I am looking for programs for my very auditory high schooler who has difficulties with memorizing things if she reads them but has an excellent auditory memory. Next year we plan on doing biology but since she isn't planning on going on to science degrees, I don't think AP is necessary at all. On the other hand, they also have some other courses for which AP might suit her better. Are these stand-alone courses? What are your experiences with these?

[Jann in TX]

My oldest dd is working through the Thinkwell Biology course. Each lecture is followed by some multiple-choice questions. She is on a 'modified' high school plan because she has some learning issues (especially memory related). She is more visual and she IS retaining much of what she listens to. She really REALLY likes the lecutures! The topics covered are very much 'advanced placement' or 'college level'... LOTS of chemistry is incorporated into the Biology class...

Personally I do not think the Thinkwell products are complete courses (we also have the Pre-Calc series). They are awesome supplements though.

[transientChris]

Thanks Jann for the reply. Can I ask what else are you using for biology? It sounds like it would be good for her.

[CathieC]

I just went to the Thinkwell website. It says their biology is equivalent to an AP Biology course, not that it actually is an AP Biology course. Our son is using the Thinkwell Biology. He does the Thinkwell for the core work. For labs, we meet with a group once a month, doing a variety of biology labs found online and in Castle Heights lab book. Thinkwell has a lot of vocabulary, and questions to go with each subsection. We bought the notebook to that goes with it to make studying easier. There are practice tests, and unit exams along with a mid-term and final. Not for the weak in science. It is not a light academic program, except that you need to find your own labs.

Cathie

[nrg]

My son is taking the Physics course right now. It is calculus based. He is also in calculus right now, and the physics math is not difficult. He really enjoys the lectures. I hear him laughing aloud during his studying! We printed the lecture notes and he takes additional notes on those pages. The quizzes are reasonable and helpful.

The course does not come with a final or mid-term exam; this is a weakness for us. We are using this course as "high school physics," so he will take the calculus-based physics at our cc in the fall. For that reason, the lack of a final is not crucial.

He is pacing himself to do this course in one semester.