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high school science, that's not apologia?
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The Science 101 courses can be whatever you make them to be because like KONOS they require you to hunt down real books and create the course. Having homeschooled six children I can honestly say that my kids knew at a young age what was or was not their interest. Do what works for her now. Life doesn’t end when you get to college if you need a remedial course to get into something you weren’t planning for in high school. Sure it won’t be the same thing as Apologia Biology but isn’t that the point?
You know, one thing I really love about this forum – in fact, one of the primary things that keeps me coming back – is that we can make different choices about how to educate our kids and it’s okay. We don’t all have to do things in the same way or use the same resources in order to find a “home” here. I love that about our forum.
So in that spirit of respect for each other’s choices, I want to say that I do not think that Apologia is the best choice for every child.
My eldest is a brainy, high-achieving, crazy-smart student. He is respectful and obedient and he dutifully did his Apologia science all year last year. And now he despises science in general and Apologia in particular. This last year has convinced him that studying biology ranks among life’s most boring pursuits.
Is that really the result I am looking for in my home school? Total boredom? A kid who openly hates science? No. Maybe I’m being idealistic, but I was hoping that the study of life would produce in my son a certain awe at the Creator of life.
He’s got his credit. But I think it came at an awfully high price.
On the other hand, my second eldest struggles for every achievement he makes in school. Every single one. He would drown in Apologia’s high school courses. But I do not want him to believe he has no future simply because he is not an academic kid. I would rather find the places he can be successful and cheer him on in those areas.
So, for these reasons, and several others, we won’t be using Apologia’s high school courses in our home school. In fact, I have a copy of Biology in really good shape if anyone wants it.
Amy, have you seen this link at Timberdoodle?
http://www.timberdoodle.com/Complete_Homeschool_Curriculum_Ninth_Grade_p/999-0900.htm
They are combining the Biology 101 dvd set along with the Principles book you linked to… I’ve never used the Principles book, but we love the 101 series. Maybe they are a good match?
We ordered the Answers in Genesis – God’s Design for Life, and God’s Design for the Physical World. It is supposed to be a multi-grade level kit; and appears to be very thorough in covering all the basics. There are additional modules for Heaven and Earth Science, Chemistry, and Biology. We thought Apologia may be a little too much after looking at the General Science book. We’ll look at it again by the 9th grade, or, may choose to stick with this new curriculum.. Has anyone else used AIG? I can still send it back if it has bad reviews… but it looks like it might work good for my 5th and 7th graders (can do their experiments together,, lessons offer age approriate levels to read from etc.
JennNC,
I did see that, and love the idea of using them both! THat would be my ideal, i think. But that’s quite pricey, and I’ve been looking around today and can’t find either item used…
thanks for all the interesting discussion and encouragement…
it’s funny, my dd is 14.5. She knows a lot about reality, but really seems to be struggling within herself to motivate. she knows it’s a problem, and wants to do better, but it only lasts so long…and it wasn’t always like this, you know? she gets all distracted and has started the teenager hiding in her room thing. and i have to constantly call her down, etc…sigh.
thanks all,
amy
JennNC, thank you for this very thoughtful post as well. And HiddenJewel and others, thanks for sharing other options. I am TAKING NOTES!
Amy…I’m right there with you, with a couple of my kids. But it’s a season, you know? We continue to teach and train and guide them. But most of all, we just love them through it. Just keep loving her, nurturing her, talking with her, gently discipling her. You’ll get her to the other side. (hugs) ~Jenn
I just wanted to add that there are several online courses that use the Apologia materials, and they can be really helpful is moving a reluctant child through the material. A good instructor can make a lot of difference.
Some courses are self-paced, and some are live feed. Both the Apologia Company, and Veritas Press Scholars Academy do a great job…but of course they are expensive.
Currclick.com has Apologia course offererings, which are less expensive than the former.
And finally, check out virtualhomeschoolgroup.com which also offers Apologia courses, taught by volunteer instructors, for FREE!
For those courses mentioned by JennNC and others, is anyone else like me wondering how you could make these work if your state requires a lab? We have to do 3 of 4 years as lab sciences here.
I heard a great review of the virtualhomeschoolgroup on another forum. I think they fill up quickly. Thanks for the reminder to check on that!
I don’t have any real requirements here in NJ…just what’s needed for college. So after putting it all out there for my DH, he decided that he’d rather see our oldest do an easier science course, such as the Biology 101 DVD’s with the accreditation guide work, and do it all, and do it well, and get something out of it, rather than buy a cattle prod and modify a harder science, if you know what i mean, lol!
So we are going to do the Biology 101 DVD’s and the pdf guide/quizzes plus the accreditation guide. There are some labs, and hands on real life experiences contained within that. In addition, I plan to buy the Castle Heights Biology Lab Experiements Guide with student notebook to add in additional laboratory experiences. I will supplement as needed with real living books, field trips and the two high school Biology texts that I have from the public school where i used to teach. I think that should be enough for a non-science minded kid. the plus to this is that my son (the next in line), who IS more interested in science is VERY visual. He’ll probably watch these too, and it’ll serve as an excellent overview for him, to get prepared for more in depth work…
Thank you everyone for thoughts and feedback…
Amy
bump. I love what Bookworm had to say. It got me thinking…great advice.
Also I wonder how the other science went for mamawebb.
Would love to hear how some of these ideas panned out. I too am struggling with what to do for jr high/high school science. We have tried Apologia for 2 yrs (this being our 2nd), but are not crazy about it. I hate that science has gone from being my sons favorite/best subject to his least favorite/worst. I am not science minded at all (except nature and biology). Chemistry was my worst nightmare in hs, and I barely passed. So, I am looking for something that may be on dvd/online tutor/class. I don’t want my failures to be my kids failures as well, just b/c I don’t understand it.
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