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? Biology 101 & Chemistry 101 DVDs
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Hello, I’m new to the Forum, and have found so much helpful information about CM learning, thank you!
These DVDs have a downloadable curriculum guide, and I wonder if anyone has seen them or knows about them?
My sons have become quite observant through Nature Study, and I wonder if these, and experimental work, would be a reasonable substitute for ‘textbook’ programs?
Thank you,
Leisa
In my opinion, they are not. They are too short, not nearly enough information to count as a high school lab science, and almost completely devoid of math. A high school chemistry class should be mostly math. In other words, there should be extensive math-based problemsoliving throughout the book. Most tests should require math work on most problems. Most labs should also require a lot of math to set them up and interpret the results. College sre starting to notice how poorly prepared many high school students are in science and are taking note, in some cases requiring other work or testing before admission, not admitting the student, or admitting the studnt and having them take remedial work (which won’t count as part of a degree program). We are kind of getting a bad repuration here.
However, they serve well as a spine for junior high age for a good foundation and for high school students who are still working at a lower level of math with no plans to attend college. They served two of our children well alongside math books and college level science texts as a visual addition to our living books and hand’s on life. That said, Dad has a biology degree with a minor in chemistry and was able to help them with topics that needed extension. Our younger son viewed them for junior highschool along with his older sibs and will likely use Science Shepherd with long lists of highschool/college level living books by scientists in various fields. The 101 Series definitely serves a purpose in the Homeschool market.
Thank you both for your sharing – very helpful information indeed.
These might be an excellent introduction for junior high, then going on to more math based courses if necessary.
I haven’t heard of Science Shepherd, and will have a look at this.
Queen Homschool’s newish Biology, Chemistry and Physics might also be good options for this age-group?
This gives time to develop math skills for the more technical study of these subjects, if this emerges as their strength.
Bookworm, do you think it is home schooled students who are weaker or is it both they and the public students in whom the colleges are noticing this weakness?
Our oldest son has begun university study this year, at age 22, after doing electrical trade work, and gaining an array of practical mechanical skills. He is surprising himself with high scores, and is amazed that he really did learn how to learn in his youth! There is quite a component of math (engineering) and despite his meagre math skills, he has been able to pick up quickly and without too much pain. This is encouraging. It has been strengthening to his character to use this young adulthood time learning the trade way – he is able to think outside the agenda of the institution and remain firm in his world view. His maturity is helping him stay firm in the face of having to apply humanist world view agenda in his assessments.
Off topic now… thank you both again, most helpful.
Well, high schools don’t do a very good job of preparing kids for anything. But at least they are pretty consistent. A biology class is a biology class-some are better taught than others but the books are similar. I DO see a bit of a problem in the homeschool community. I DO believe kids ought to have influence in their own educations. I believe in taking into account preferences and strengths and interests. Much of education OUGHT to be a delight. But . . . . I do see a strain of “I don’t like this, so why should I have to do it?” in the homeschoolers I know. I see a lot of “if it’s hard it must not really be necessary” I do worry about this, and have heard similar complaints in conversations with college professors. I’m not sure that an education which is ALWAYS easy, interesting and delightful is very good preparation for life. 🙂
A while back Karen watched the full Biology 101 and took notes. She did a mini review on the forum, comparing it to typical biology studies at a high school level.
We also recently watched a sampling of the Chemistry 101 sessions at various points in the series to get a feel for it too. I would say that it is teaching more about chemistry than teaching chemistry itself. A large portion of it is history of chemistry. Like Biology 101, it’s really not high school level and contains a number of factual and terminology errors. However, it could be used as a supplement to bring in the historical aspect.
Regarding students who may not be college bound or may only have interests in non-science fields, don’t forget that science is taught for more than its own topical purpose. Learning science also develops good observation, problem solving, and logical thinking skills, which are valuable and beneficial for all of life.
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