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Berean Builder high school sequence
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I see that the recommended science sequence is Berean Builders Earth Science starting in 8th grade. What is the benefit to starting Earth Science in 8th grade vs 9th grade? I realize that taking physics in 11th would free up the senior year to be lighter, but is there any other advantage? I have a child who is most likely headed for STEM (very strong in math) and I don’t want to hold him back in any way. I just want to understand the reasoning behind this. I am originally from Canada and not familiar with the typical high school science sequence. He is also my firstborn. I ask this because up until now he has only used living science books. I’m wondering if it would be too much to jump into Biology as his first textbook in 9th, or would Earth Science be an easier transition?
Discovering Design with Earth Science is Berean Builders’ recommendation for 8th grade, so SCM also recommends it for that age. However, Berean Builders’ also states that Earth Science can be used for high school as it is rigorous enough to count as a high school level course.
The order that you schedule the sciences for your particular student may be different than our recommended sequence. You may even opt for different science courses than we recommend, such as human anatomy, botany, or astronomy, to tailor your child’s education to suit his plans for his future. That is just fine. The only caution I would give you when considering the sequence that is best for your child is to make sure that your student has the required math needed for chemistry and physics. You state that your child is strong in math, so the needed math skills may not be an issue.
Hi Karen. My son is enjoying the elementary level Science in the series and looking into progression as well. My son is not math-y and we have an IEP but want to know what is a reasonable progression of Science for HS. The usual format required provincially is all streams but my son would find some streams more difficult than the others. As a note, he would be 9th grade this Fall.
The usual progression for high school science in the US is earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics. Some students take earth science in middle school, giving them a year for a more advanced science in high school if they would like.
Because you mention science that is “required provincially” I’m guessing that you are not in the US. I would check what your local school district or your province requires for students for graduation. In my state, science is not required for all 4 years of high school, as some students would not be pursuing science degrees in college. If you discover that 4 years are required where you live, you may be able to do some non-traditional science courses. There are plenty of branches in science beyond the traditional courses of general biology, chemistry, and physics. If your son has an interest in the animals, plants, birds, insects, the stars / moon / planets, or rocks, for example, he could design his own study or you could find one, that targets one of those interests.
As for Berean Builders’ high school courses, only chemistry and physics have math requirements. For chemistry, your student needs to have completed an algebra 1 course and for physics algebra 1, geometry, and have an understanding of sine, cosine, and tangent. Dr. Wile is also available to help if a student gets stuck. He is always happy to help students understand science. The information to how to get help is in the book for each course.
My son is in an IEP but he expressed desire to do post secondary, possibly an Adult Graduation track. We are based in Canada and the typical requirements will include all stream of science per grade level. At this time, most likely my son might pursue a humanities track since this is where his strength and interests lie. You are suggesting Earth Science at 9th. In general, he enjoys earth science and astronomy but wary with Math as this is heavily modified for him. Would the SCM lesson plan be different from the one that is in the BB book?
Discovering Design with Earth Science can be used as a high school level course, according to Berean Builders. It is definitely a step up from Science in the Atomic Age, the recommendation for 7th grade. Earth Science does not have a math prerequisite so that shouldn’t be an issue.
SCM’s reading schedules for Berean Builders’ courses are a bit different than Berean Builders’ schedules. You can compare the two schedules and decide which one best fits your child. SCM’s schedule directs the student to narrate each reading and gives a list of topics per chapter for an end-of-chapter narration.
Also, if it would be helpful to your son to have a student workbook that keeps all of the questions from the textbook in one place as well as space for his lab notes, then check the “Product Resources” section for any of Berean Builders’ middle school and high school level courses. Berean Builders offers a Student Workbook as a free download or you can buy a printed copy from various retailers, including some in Canada.
As a note my dyslexic son is doing earth science now in 8th grade. I bought the audio for him. You can get a download or a flash stick from berean builders and a flash stick from several other places. You also NEED an abbreviated lab kit with a rock set in it.
My son does much of the chapter review orally and we did not do tests this year. Writing is VERY hard for him. I have enjoyed discussing the chapters with my son. He has learned lots and truly kinda enjoyed science this year….he does not like school at all in general:) He also began algebra this year, but there isn’t math needed in earth science beyond elementary arithmetic. Check the berean builders website to be sure. I know he hasn’t used any algebra though.
I didn’t know SCM had plans for upper level science….where are those? I’ll have 1 in Atomic Age and 1 in biology next year. Do you have those Karen?
Yes my son does audiobooks and having it as an options is a must that is why he is able to enjoy the Science in the series with his tutor. I will try to have some resources for that Kit as well. I am hoping to pair his science with his Geography studies + nature studies as we try to do cross curricular activities to give life to a textbook. I noticed in the TOC that there are conversions needed so I will note on this math adaptation with his tutor.. would the mapping component be heavy here as there might be some technical skills needed as well? I am delaying the Chemistry and Physics for now as we are trying to gain some traction in Math. It is nice to know that the Biology is not very heavy on Math yet so there is room for some adaptation in the following series.
<p style=”text-align: left;”>The conversions a ratios so prealgebra or 7th grade math in USA. I think it’s just 1 chapter.</p>
I don’t think my son made any maps but I can check my book for anything you want.noted on these. math is modified for us so with science, the tutor will walk through possible math exercises and focus on conceptual understanding since this is something my son is very drawn too. thank you everyone!
@Karen would Science in the Atomic Age be too much of a setback? Originally, I was considering this and then you suggested the Earth Science. Again, my concern is the Math. Currently, we are doing General Science topics but more like Unit Studies style (Physics mainly, some Chemistry) and some lessons in the Science in the books.
Science in the Atomic Age is a good transition from the elementary science books to the high school level ones. As long as Science in the Atomic Age meets the requirements for high school science that you need where live, then, yes, you could start with that one.
As ruralmama mentioned, Berean Builders has audio books of all the middle school and high school level books. They also have recorded classes for each chapter if that would be beneficial to your son too. You could contact Berean Builders with your son’s situation and see if they have any suggestions for you. Both Dr. Wile and his publisher are very helpful and want to see students succeed with science.
Ruralmama, you can find the reading schedules for middle school and high school science under the “Curriculum” tab. Select “Grades 1-12 Overview,” then scroll down the page to “Individual Student Lessons.” You will find “buttons” for each grade level. Click on the grade you want, then find the science section for that grade. There will be a link to a PDF download of the science reading schedule.
This link will take you to the Grades 1-12 Overview page.
https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/overview-chart/
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