Biology-Exploring Life or PH Biology? What's the difference?

[Frontier Mom]

After much discussion here, I picked them both up on ebay for a great price. I haven't decided which to use. Does anyone know the difference or your personal preference?

BTW, my Eploring Life is 2006 version, while PH Biology is 2002 if that would matter.

[Frontier Mom]

Anyone? I actually had the threads for science and picked these two. Now I don't know which one I want to use or a mix of both.

[annabanana1992]

:lurk5:!

[Frontier Mom]

Which one? I need to choose here somehow. Phooey on ebay, I bought both!!

[Frontier Mom]

OK, this is what I have.

PH Biology - Student textbook and TE (2002)
PH Exploring Life - Student textbook (2006)

It looks like most of the teacher's info is on the website for Exploring Life. However, I can't seem to find a very good price on a TE edition for Exploring Life and not sure if I need one.

If you had the above, which would you use for 9th grade?

[HollyinNNV]

OK, this is what I have.

PH Biology - Student textbook and TE (2002)
PH Exploring Life - Student textbook (2006)

It looks like most of the teacher's info is on the website for Exploring Life. However, I can't seem to find a very good price on a TE edition for Exploring Life and not sure if I need one.

If you had the above, which would you use for 9th grade?

OK-I am not familiar with PH Exploring Life. We are doing PH biology (2008) this year. I've been very happy with it and highly recommend it. However, you might do the genetics chapter in PH Exploring Life because it might have newer technology references and discoveries that the PH Bio would not include. Other than that section, I'd go with the PH Bio. (I feel weird recommending the other one since I've never used it.)
Holly

[Frontier Mom]

Thanks!! I think they both look good and am probably making a big deal of nothing as they will both probably produce a great education in Biology. Thanks for the suggestions about newer info. with genetics. That is a good point.

[HollyinNNV]

I don't think you are making a big deal of nothing. We only have one chance to get these things right with the first child. But, yes I think you probably can't go wrong with either book.
Holly

[Ame E.]

through Kolbe academy homeschool.. I have not used either the book or the lesson plans... but just an FYI.

Ame

[Frontier Mom]

Thanks. I also bought the TE book for it which has lots of extra info included.

[Frontier Mom]

I don't think you are making a big deal of nothing. We only have one chance to get these things right with the first child. But, yes I think you probably can't go wrong with either book.
Holly

You are probably right. I got both thinking I would see a big difference but they appear to be rather similar. I just don't want to start in the fall with one, only to regret it later, IYKWIM. I'll probably read through them both and see if there are things I want to pull from one versus the other.

[Peggy in Va]

if it's Exploring Life Science, it is geared toward middle school - specifically 7th grade. The Biology would be for high school.

Again, not exactly sure what you have, nor did I notice what age child it would be for,but thought I'd pass this on since it might make a difference.

Peggy

[matroyshka]

OK, this is what I have.

PH Biology - Student textbook and TE (2002)
PH Exploring Life - Student textbook (2006)

It looks like most of the teacher's info is on the website for Exploring Life. However, I can't seem to find a very good price on a TE edition for Exploring Life and not sure if I need one.

If you had the above, which would you use for 9th grade?

My brother's a high school biology teacher, and teaches all the AP and honors classes at his school. They use the PH Exploring Life (has a lizard eye on the cover) for 9th grade, which is co-authored by Campbell, who also wrote the Biology textbook used for many AP classes (I think that one is called just "Biology"). The teachers refer to them as "Baby Campbell" (Exploring Life) and "Daddy Campbell" (for AP Bio in 11th or 12th).

There is a second series also by PH called just "Biology", but it is not by Campbell and is for 9th grade like "Exploring Life", not an advanced course. Confusing!

"Exploring Life" is most definitely not a middle school text. I have the PH Science Explorer Biology books for middle school, and Exploring Life is a big step up.

[Beth in SW WA]

"Exploring Life" is most definitely not a middle school text. I have the PH Science Explorer Biology books for middle school, and Exploring Life is a big step up.
:iagree:
We have used both. PH Bio EL is more than enough for a basic high school bio text.

[Frontier Mom]

:iagree:
We have used both. PH Bio EL is more than enough for a basic high school bio text.

Both texts I have are 9th grade texts. Can you give me your opinion on both?

I have PH Exploring Life and PH Biology (9th grade text).

[April in CA]

Hi Kristi,
I am using Exploring Life with my 9th grade son this year, and we both really like it. The big selling point for us was the on-line/CD-ROM activities that support the concepts. I would strongly recommend buying the CD and/or getting on-line access (need to call the publisher for this, unless your book came with a code of some kind) - it is an integral part of the program. I would also recommend getting the TE, if you can. We use the chapter reviews as tests and the answers are in the TE. The test bank looked really cool, but the price was prohibitive for us (around $200). As a Christian, I have added several videos to this class to discuss other points of view on the topic of evolution. In addition, we are using many of the labs from the Exploring Life lab manual, albeit with modifications.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
April

[Frontier Mom]

Hi Kristi,
I am using Exploring Life with my 9th grade son this year, and we both really like it. The big selling point for us was the on-line/CD-ROM activities that support the concepts. I would strongly recommend buying the CD and/or getting on-line access (need to call the publisher for this, unless your book came with a code of some kind) - it is an integral part of the program. I would also recommend getting the TE, if you can. We use the chapter reviews as tests and the answers are in the TE. The test bank looked really cool, but the price was prohibitive for us (around $200). As a Christian, I have added several videos to this class to discuss other points of view on the topic of evolution. In addition, we are using many of the labs from the Exploring Life lab manual, albeit with modifications.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
April

Yes, this helps alot. Thanks and wondering where you got the TE. Did you buy it new? I haven't found one used that is very affordable.

[Frontier Mom]

Hi Kristi,
I am using Exploring Life with my 9th grade son this year, and we both really like it. The big selling point for us was the on-line/CD-ROM activities that support the concepts. I would strongly recommend buying the CD and/or getting on-line access (need to call the publisher for this, unless your book came with a code of some kind) - it is an integral part of the program. I would also recommend getting the TE, if you can. We use the chapter reviews as tests and the answers are in the TE. The test bank looked really cool, but the price was prohibitive for us (around $200). As a Christian, I have added several videos to this class to discuss other points of view on the topic of evolution. In addition, we are using many of the labs from the Exploring Life lab manual, albeit with modifications.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
April

Thanks April. I just got off the phone with the publisher and they were extremely nice and helpful. I'm getting sooo excited about using this, I just hope my ds is as well.

BTW, did you get a microscope for the Biology year?

[Nan in Mass]

If so, I have that one and have used bits of it. I found the section on genetics rather frustrating (and a few other bits as well) because it simplified things somewhat (you'd obviously have to) but my children saw the holes in the reasoning and asked questions I couldn't answer. I had to go to my biologist mother for a more complete explanation. This might have happened with any textbook. In general, I liked the chapters we did. They started at the right place for my children and went into about the right amount of depth (not too much). We did a few chapters to suppliment our natural history.
-Nan

[April in CA]

Hello again!
I'm glad I could help! I was able to find a used copy of the TE either through Amazon Marketplace or Half.com - can't remember which just now. Be on the lookout as the year draws to a close; I would expect people who sell their books would be looking to sell in June or July. My TE was in great shape and I paid a very reasonable price to another homeschooling mom.
We have the microscope from Sonlight, and I love it. The mechanical stage makes scanning so much easier. If you can afford it, I would highly recommend it. It is very sturdy, too, so if you have younger kids it will serve them as well. Enjoy!
Blessings,
April