What do you use for biology?

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  • ErinD
    Participant

    I am not happy with Apologia for biology. It is just TOO much for my non-science students. The problem is, I’m not sure what else to get instead. I like the contents of Abeka Biology because they focus more on plants, animals and the human body. I’ve also looked at Friendly Biology but it’s very expensive.

    Any suggestions for a less intense but yet still high school worthy biology course?

    KeriJ
    Participant

    I went through the same struggle to find something. I tried The Riot and the Dance, but it also ended up being too much for my non-science dd. So we settled on Friendly Biology paired with the 101 DVDs. It’s going well, and she is now enjoying and learning rather than struggling through. I found a copy of the book at Rainbow Resource labeled “Bargain Copy”.

    ErinD
    Participant

    That’s good to hear. How do you schedule Friendly Biology? Does she read the entire lesson in one sitting? Some of them look pretty long. Thanks, Keri.

    KeriJ
    Participant

    Somehow we are spreading it over 4 days but doing labs on the weekend. She reads one day, does worksheets, studies for the test and takes the test on the other days. I’ve kind of let her set the pace. But it’s one lesson per week for now.

    ErinD
    Participant

    What is the human reproduction chapter like? Thanks for answering my questions, Keri!

    HollyS
    Participant

    We’re using Pacworks biology, and I think it’s going okay.  There are no labs, but I might add some in.  I also picked up the Biology 101 dvds from The 101 Series.  We all loved the physics 101 DVDs that we watched last year.   I think this has labs, but they are really simple, according to reviews.  My oldest is artistic and not likely to go into a science field, so I’m good with this.

    ErinD
    Participant

    Thanks, HollyS. Is your child finding it interesting? I have one using IPC this year from Pacworks and we both find it really interesting because it’s written by John Hudson Tiner, but I know the biology isn’t.

    CrystalN
    Participant

    I have also been looking around for biology for next year. I was considering Compass Classrooms Devotional Biology. It looks really interesting. My ds is not sciency and likely will make a pit stop at junior college so I wasnt looking for anything intense. It is pricey though. They have a “bundle” where you can get all they offer for all your kids for a monthly fee. I thought maybe if I used more of their resources it might be cost effective. I have never seen Friendly Biology, I will have to check it out.

    Krista
    Participant

    We have used Sabbath Mood Homeschool science guides with great success for 2 years.  I thought I liked CC Devotional Biology until I looked at the sample.  Have you looked at the sample videos?  I found them to be boring and I love biology.  But I am not used to being lectured, I prefer to read the book myself.

    HollyS
    Participant

    I think she likes it okay.  She’s struggled with some of the questions.  I really need to step up and help her more when we get back to school!  I’m sad to say I’ve barely looked at it.  She didn’t start it until October, so she’s not too far into it yet.

    ErinD
    Participant

    Thanks for answering my questions. I think I have decided what I’m going to do. For my son currently using Apologia Biology, I’m having him skip a couple of the more technical modules. The rest of the book is better, so we’ll just continue on.

    For my next student, I think I am going to switch around our science progression and do biology in 8th and physical science in 9th. That way I can use biology resources that we actually like (God’s Design, Tiner books, Apologia elementary anatomy) and not have to worry that they aren’t high school level, and then we’ll do Apologia Physical science in 9th, since it can be used at that level and we do like that book. Maybe not the best solution to the problem, but it will work for us. And I won’t have to buy much, since I already own most of these books. 🙂

    Claire
    Participant

    The Living Environment, Biology by AMSCO publishing

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
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