bob Jones Science Vs. Apologia

[cbutz]

Would like to hear what people think about bob jones science vs. apologia. My daughter used general science (apologia) this year but I am considering doing the bob jones dvds. Wonder what people think of these two science programs?

[HiddenJewel]

We have used the BJU Life Science (3rd edition) and are about 2/3 of the way through BJU Earth and Space (3rd edition). We are not using the DVD program. These are heavy duty courses but are definitely doable if the student is mature enough to apply himself. I do think the student activities (or another form of reinforcement) are important for cementing concepts.

We will be using the DIVE into Science CD-Rom with the BJU Physical Science textbook this coming year.

I have not used Apologia so cannot compare them.

[HollyDay]

These are the 2 programs I have looked at most.

I loved BJU for elementary and thought I would use it for the duration. But, we hit 7th grade and I came to a halt. BJU is tough. It has a lot of material that needs to be covered in a year. Words like rigorous, intense, ambitious, come to mind when I think of BJU. It is teacher intensive as well and the dvds were not an option for us. We switched to Apologia.

Apologia is not so teacher intensive but it is not light either. It is presented differently. We have only done the 7th grade program, but I see no reason for us to switch.

Sorry I cant compare better....

[Melissa in CA]

We've used both and my vote is BJU, especially if you are using the DVDs. I love BJU, but I could not teach it myself. If I did not have the classes on DVD, I would probably use Apologia...I know my limits and teaching science is not my gift.:tongue_smilie: The BJU DVD science teachers are fantastic though (unlike me!) and I highly recommend them all. What BJU grade/class are you considering for next year?

As for Apologia, we've used their Physical Science and their Biology. My boys liked BJU better (used Chemistry and Physics). My middle son was using Apologia Biology and BJU Chemistry at the same time. He LOVED his BJU class and looked forward to it each day, but would drag his feet with the Apologia Biology. I had to daily remind him to get it done. :glare: He truly disliked it.

Hope that helps.

[mom31257]

I've been researching this myself and have found several references to Apologia being science "lite" and other places online that reference one book in BJU is like 2 (regular plus their advanced) in Apologia. I am almost positive we will use BJU in high school, but I'm still deciding about 7th and 8th. I'm considering Rainbow Science, which I've heard can be done in a year if you do science every day. It's designed for 2 lessons and a lab a week for 32 weeks a year. You might want to look at that if your child is still in middle school. It covers physics, chemistry, biology, and applied science.

[HiddenJewel]

These are the 2 programs I have looked at most.

I loved BJU for elementary and thought I would use it for the duration. But, we hit 7th grade and I came to a halt. BJU is tough. It has a lot of material that needs to be covered in a year. Words like rigorous, intense, ambitious, come to mind when I think of BJU. It is teacher intensive as well and the dvds were not an option for us. We switched to Apologia.

I would agree with your description of the BJU jr high science. However, I have not found them to be teacher intensive. Dd13 has done both courses on her own except we go over the chapter reviews together.

However, I am looking forward to using the DIVE CD-Rom next year so she can have a lecture format as she is an auditory learner.