Apologia Gen. Science, please read!

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  • April 26, 2011 at 1:36 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    Hi everyone,

    My son has an opp. to take a Gen. Science class with some kiddos that are in our homeschool group.  He will be in 7th grade next year and this would cover the year, with some living books included:)

    If you have used this curriculum before, would you think it would be best to do at home on his own or with a “teacher” that would have the supplies for the experiments, etc??

    I believe we can do much on our own, but I’m also looking for some extra social time with the kids he already knows.  BTW, I am not a science-y person, except for living books…not great at experiments, actually, I hate them, if I’m being honest.

    TIA for your replies.

    April 26, 2011 at 2:08 am
    greenebalts
    Participant

    I dislike science too!  That’s what I like about Apologia, I don’t have to do it.  Laughing Our dd completed General Science in 7th grade on her own and she did great.  We skipped a year of Apologia in 8th grade and she was begging to come back.  Now she’s nearly completed the Physical Science for 9th.  This year, we found another family in our homeschool group that had a daughter the same age and was willing to also do the Apologia Physical Science.  So, we got together one day a week and the girls did experiments and socialized, for lack of a better term.  They really enjoyed it and we didn’t have the expense and pressure of co-op class.  Also, we were able to be more flexible with scheduling because there were only two families involved.  Since we live about 35 minutes away from each other, we took turns hosting.  If there was a snow storm or we had sick kids, we could alter the day. Whoever was hosting provided experiment supplies.  Of course, if one family didn’t have something, the other would bring it.  The girls developed a closer friendship.  The younger children played.  Moms visited.  It worked wonderfully!  We’ve done co-op classes in the past and I prefer one on one partner or individual better.  Blessings, Melissa

    April 26, 2011 at 2:30 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    Ooooh, thank you Melissa.

    This class will be larger than just two families, but I wouldn’t have to host or gather supplies.  I hate to admit it, but because I’m not super science-y, I don’t put as much thought into their supplies, etc. for a good science experiment, and I’m afraid that is coming across to my son(s).  I would like him/them to gain “whatever” from someone that is more passionate about the subject and leave the ones I’m passionate about to me:)

    And, yes, the pressure thing just kills me!  And, he could use a more knowledgable science person to challenge him:)

    thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.

    April 26, 2011 at 10:53 am
    meagan
    Participant

    Our 12 year old is going to be completing General Science next year, too.  I would love for him to be in a co-op, because I, too, hate science!  It’s not so much that I hate the concepts, but I really, really want nothing to do with science experiments!!  My vote would be to put him in the co-op, but that’s just me.  I’m making a co-op class mandatory for my older son next year since he’s doing biology, and I want nothing to do with those experiments!! 🙂

    April 26, 2011 at 6:18 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    IMO, if he has the opportunity to do it in a co-op setting, I say go for it! My ds completed General & Physical science on his own, but this year is doing Biology with Co-op. He told me that its been much more enjoyable and motivating for him – also less stressful for me Wink.

    April 26, 2011 at 7:20 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    Okay, so my next question…..

    We have done many different science projects/classes/studies, etc. but the Apologia General Science will be his most difficult to date.  I am all for having him do it with a class, but wondering if I should hold him back a year with more Nature Study/living books/Apologia Elementary, etc.  He is ready to be challenged and is so much older in many ways than his brothers. I plan to have him “tag along” with our nature studies as I still would not feel comfortable leaving him at home alone, so he would not miss out on that anyway. 

    And, I was also wondering, within the year that this book would take, did your dc have time for living books??  I really don’t want him to miss out on those as well, but I do think that he would end up feeling claustrophobic, kwim??

    I would enjoy the living books myself, but I’m almost 40, he enjoys being homeschooled but looks to other classes for some socialization.  So much to decide because so much of it is soooo good:)

    Blessings and thank you for your replies.

    April 26, 2011 at 7:47 pm
    meagan
    Participant

    I think that C is very similar to T…both a little bit older than their years would suggest.  I have thought about holding C back a year, but have decided against it.  I just don’t want to keep C back because of *me* and the fact that in my eyes he’s sitll one of our babies (he’s the middle child).  This is just what we’ve decided is right for him, though.  We will be doing it slightly modified so that it’s not such a shock.  He’ll be doing the readings, some (but not all) of the experiments, and study guides, but no tests.

    I think that if you’re still having him do Nature Study he won’t feel left out of the family stuff.

    April 26, 2011 at 8:21 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    Thank you Meagan, I really appreciate your thoughts.  I appreciate all of you for responding to my delimma.

    Blessings.

    May 25, 2011 at 1:33 am
    sbkrjulie
    Participant

    I am just starting up SCM and have posted quite a bit in the History section. Well, I have that figured out and now I am onto figuring how Science works Laughing

    My children will be in grades 3 and 6 when we start up again in August. I see there are quite a few science courses listed under those grades. Here are my questions:

    Do we finish all 6 courses listed in our year?

    Do you just pick and choose a couple to do each year until grade 7?

    We have not really  had a good year of Science this year and though I know my kids are learning science just by living in the world, I feel like I have cheated them a bit .

    Of note, we do have Eagle’s Wings: Considering God’s Creation.

    Again, I appreciate your responses and guidance….Wink

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