General Science questions..

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  • March 30, 2011 at 6:04 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    My son is going to be starting the General Science book from Apologia.  This is a very big book and there is a lot in it.  I want to make the most of it but not overwhelm him next year.  So I want to ask a couple things.

    1st he will obviously read the entire book from front to back.  He will try and do the “on your own” questions and self correct them.  Now for where I need to know.

    Experiements – we are not a huge one on this should I just let him pick how many he wants to do BUT insist on him doing 1 or 2? 

    Study Guide – This one really seems closest to the test.  Which makes me feel he should do this to see if he’s ready for the test.  Does this sound correct?  Can he use the book?  What if he doesn’t do good on it?

    Summary – This is a very conversational thing that’s an option at the end of the book.  Is it necessary?

    Tests- The book says do NOT let them use the book is that the way you also did the tests?  Or could they use them?  What if they do not do well on the test?

    Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.  I am a bit confused or just book size shocked on how to transittion a family science course into the self taught one that will be happening for my son. Misty

    March 30, 2011 at 6:06 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    Also, as far as grading for this.  Could I just use the test scores as the grade or should I add in the experiements and other items also.  Misty

    March 30, 2011 at 9:41 pm
    fivestones
    Member

    Experiments- We ordered the kit that had everything that would be needed for the experiments ahead of time.  This way, I never had to say we couldn’t do something because we were unprepared.  I did have my daughter do every experiment. We did them after the lesson though.  My husband is the science guy, so there where times when we would wait until evening or weekends and then her and her father would do several experiments at one time.

    Study Guide-I had my daughter do each study guide with the book. This is prep for the test. 

    Summary- I believed it was necessary and yes she read them.

    Tests-Yes, we did ‘close’ book tests. However after we corrected then I allowed her to go back and find the answers to her missed problems.  So second time around it was open book.

    We did this book from beginning to end.  However there is ALOT of info in this one book.  It was important to me not to rush through it just to finish it.  So we took our time.  We did science almost every day for school and it took us 1 1/2 years to finish it. So we started it at the beginning of her 7th grade but we finished it up in Dec. or Jan of her 8th grade year.  We start school in Aug. and we finish up in June.

    HTH

    Blessings,

    Vanessa

     

     

     

    March 31, 2011 at 3:49 pm
    Sue
    Participant

    I asked a friend of mine to weigh in on your question since she used Apologia General Science with her daughter last year.  In a nutshell, these were her responses:

    Regarding experiments, she did most but not all of them.  In certain units, there are multiple experiments that prove the same scientific law, so completing only 1 or 2 of those experiments would be sufficient.

    She did not have the test booklet, so they used the Study Guide as the test.  She also allowed her daughter to take open-book tests because she’s not a very good tester and there is a lot of information to absorb.

    My friend was at a meeting recently where several of the moms agreed that Apologia Science courses are really AP courses (Advanced Placement), so they are excellent for college prep.  Therefore, they all felt there could be a lot of leeway in testing and grading.  If your child is college bound, reflecting a good grade is more important.  Furthermore, if your child seems headed toward college studies in the sciences, allowing for re-reading and re-testing would further ensure that the material is properly absorbed.

    HTH,

    Sue

    March 31, 2011 at 5:47 pm
    stipegang
    Member

    We are using this book again this year with our youngest (and last). She does most of the experiments with a friend of hers with whom we do a bi-weekly science co-op. This helps us to stay on track and not just sluff off the experiments.

    Our edition is a 1st edition so we don’t have summaries.

    My dd does lapbooks for the study guide and I use that to give her a grade not the test. However, my oldest, who is doing chemistry does take the tests, open book, because he wouldn’t be able to answer a single one if we didn’t allow this. My 2nd son, doing physical science takes the tests as intended. As you know, each student is different and know one knows your kids like you do.

    Hope this helps. 🙂

    March 31, 2011 at 6:54 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    Thanks everyone.  I like the idea of experiements in the afternoons and think I will ask this to be done or on weekends.

    Study guide = with book, Summary = fill in blanks and read prior to test, Tests= 1st time closed book, open to correct or open if child seems to be having a hard time test taking but maybe can answer verbally ok. 

    I think I will work with this plan.  yes this is a big book.  It says 32 weeks but I think we’ll just see as we start how it goes.  I think my goin g to be 7th grader will be fine with it.  But my next son is not as advanced so I might have to think smaller amounts.

    Thanks agian MIsty

    March 31, 2011 at 6:54 pm
    Sue
    Participant

    As you know, each student is different and know one knows your kids like you do.

    This is so true, and I wish, when we have those conversations with people who don’t have a clue about homeschooling, that they would take away that thought–if nothing else!

    March 31, 2011 at 8:50 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    Hi Misty,

    When my oldest began Apologia General Science, I let him ease into it. Since it was his first BIG textbook and attempt for self-study, I choose to take it slow. I had him narrate, do a few of the experiments (when we had things on hand), write out the “On Your Own Questions”, and fill out the “Study Guides” with book open. I could tell if he was retaining the information just by our discussions. For Physical Science, we added in open book tests. Now, he’s in 9th grade Biology; completely owns his studies, and taking the tests closed book. This is just how our family has done it, but like the others said- you are free to do it how you please, since only you know your son best. Also an excellent FREE resource tool that may help you with scheduling is Donna Young’s Apologia Lesson Plans. Here’s the link for General Science; Just scroll down and clink on the modules to open the PDF’s.

    Blessings,

    Heather

    March 31, 2011 at 9:21 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    Oops, meant click -not clink lol.Laughing

    April 1, 2011 at 1:29 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    Thanks so much cs I will check it out and like your slow appoach.  I might have to talk with hubby more about his feelings last night he said he’s ok with each way.  But I will print this and we’ll talk more.

    April 1, 2011 at 5:28 pm
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Stipegang,
    I have not heard of doing lapbooks for the study guides before. What a neat idea! Would you share how you do the lapbooks?

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