What does CM science for highschool look like??

I’ve only seen the samples of the Queen’s products online, so I can’t really comment in depth about the high school component.  I was going to recommend taking a look at Master Books series.  They are hard cover books that cover a specific study (Oceans, Fossils, Planets, etc…)  Each is about 80 pages and written by experts in their field.  They also come with an extra study booklet with activities and questions geared toward older students.  I think if your dd did these, it might help ignite a passion to help springboard her toward Shepherd Sciences or Apologia.  

Even if she doesn’t seem the “sciency” type right now, I would still stick with traditional high school methods that have enough “meat” in both the text and experiments and explainations.  That way, whatever the wind blows her sails in the future, she’ll be prepared.  

We’ve enjoyed the 101 Series and plan to continue using it. I’m married to a biologist who has a chemistry minor. We have tons of reference books and do things like butchering, culturing, etc. So, we feel our kids have plenty science without the traditional textbook approach. They learn how to take lab and field notes, understand the scientific method, and enjoy experimenting with all sorts of cool stuff.

If you find she wants to go into a science/medical related field, my suggestion would be to pursue mathematics more heavily than science first. Chemistry is much more about math than most people realize. We do chemistry as a senior year study, not sophomore. This allows for more math to be covered. Otherwise, you have to use a watered down chemistry textbook and relearn it correctly in college if you attend it and need science courses. You can read up on finishing math before studying college level sciences at http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com. (Or, that info. may be in the RC Course of Study.)

Enjoy pursuing science with living books. It’s not the usual path, but it is truly rewarding.”

I think with having one or both parents degreed in sciences like that DOES indeed make a non-traditional approach to high school sciences MUCH more doable:)  Thank you for your info!

Honestly, I’d pursue math in this situation. I’m assuming she has algebra based on what you’ve written. I’d get as far through math as possible. I’d have her study Nutrition and even study a speech therapy curriculum. That way she’d know if that’s her interest, or if she’d rather pursue a medical degree. Both nutrition and speech therapy would build and balance her skills in medicine. But, studied while tackling more math would be a way to have more time this year to really get math solid. 

Then, I’d suggest doing a college level chemistry instead of a highschool text. If she has enough math for that, she’d be fine and better off. There are college level math texts on the RC discs (offlist mention). Chemistry tends to have to be relearned in college as much of what is taught at the highschool level is watered down due to lack of math skills, even though hard for many students. 

You might even reconsider and push all the way through physics and leave college level chemistry for her senior year. A&P as a junior might be done with all that math. But, you’d have to check the TOC of Apologia to see why they require chem as a prereq. It may just be based on the traditional order of study. Worth checking on. 

CLEP out of as many non-major courses as possible, provided the school(s) of choice will accept them as transfer of credit, not just advanced placement. 

The living books listed in the Fre SCM Curriculum Guide are an excellent place to start for that part of her studies. 

We study math year round at our house. If a math/science future is a serious possibility, these suggestions are exactly what I’d do. But, so far, we’ve had liberal arts types. They’ve developed an appreciation for math and science, but not at a rigorous level, as they had no intention to head that direction. Our younger two are more math and science oriented, so I’ll be learning right along with them I suppose. 🙂

Hth,

Becca<><

PS. Interviewing physicians, speech and physical therapists, and a variety of related fields may narrow down her decision. She could capture notes in a journal with quotes, suggestions for courses of study, what to do/not do, etc. from those already in the field. 

You’re welcome, Binky. 🙂

As for the living books, I was specifically thinking of the science books as you’d asked about science related goals. But, I think highly of all the suggestions in the free guide.

Another very helpful tool is The SAT & College Preparation Course for the Christian Student, by James P. Stobaugh. I’m certain it’s been updated. The copy I have has a copyright of 1998. But, even if you use it, she’d be very well prepared. If you have her follow the 2 year plan beginning in 10th grade, she will have her senior year to devote to college admissions. It has a set routine for study, not unlike a rigorous CM highschool course of study.

I manage each of our children’s educations based on their goals/strengths/weaknesses. Our eldest daughter is 17, a senior this year! She basically has a booklist and we have accountability meetings each week. More if needed. Math grades are kept. She has writing assignments (has been through IEW) with deadlines. She watches/listens to lectures. We utilize some audiobooks to add in more than can be tackled through reading alone. She participates in our family studies in the mornings. This includes a Scripture memorization, hymns, Bible study review, a brief amount of history, timeline review, geography, and alternating fine arts. Very few of these are scheduled every day. So it’s not an overwhelming amount of time.

I consider her discussions and writing as “tests.” We account for mastery through discussion/writing.

I’m short on time this morning. As I think of other things, I will post.

Blessings,

Becca<><

I only have the one Stobaugh book. I like the way his highschool history texts look as far as textbooks are concerned. But, yes, his courses are outside our budget.

As for IEW, I find the theme based writing lessons much more user friendly than starting straight out with the TWSS on your own. Those by Lori Verstegen are very easy to follow. (Not necessarily CM, unless you put them under the short lessons heading.). IEW has a catalog that has a “pathway” of suggested courses. I put some of the TBWLs in an order that will coordinate with our history/science lessons, etc. I don’t use all of them, and I don’t use IEW every year. Some year’s are used for narrations and journaling only (especially when we study Texas history.)

As for lectures, this is a heading I use for things like Advanced Communication (IEW) DVD viewings, Lyceum speakers at the community college, Great Courses, etc. I haven’t purchased GCs. There are quite a few at the library. Any other resources that we use like documentaries, etc. come from the library, too. It all helps! ;0). I’ve rarely had funds to add these to our own stash.

I also utilize inter library loan when we have no $ to spare for books/curriculum. Especially when I haven’t seen something in person, I will request it through ILL in order to decide if I should purchase it, or mark it off the wishlist. 🙂

You are certainly qualified to teach your daughter and help manage her education! I am, I can, I ought, I will!

You are a child of God! You can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you! You ought to pursue this adventure with your children together as a family! You will be successful and thankful!

A site that’s encouraging for those who didn’t start Homeschooling early is http://www.youarethemom.com. “You are the mom! You don’t need to know calculus!”

Blessings,

Becca<><

Oh, no! I just typed it in off the top of my head. I’m so sorry about that.

http://www.urthemom.com is the correct link.

Becca<><

PS. I’m truly blessed by this forum, too!