What is the absolute youngest grade you would use Apologia Biology? Just curious.

[Hoggirl]

I'm thinking ahead, but just wondered how "young" this could be used especially if you have a child that memorizes easily.

[Pamela H in Texas]

My ds doesn't memorize easily but he "gets" things easily (so it comes pretty easily because of conceptual learning). He was 10-11 when he participated with the highschooler co-op class. We had two levels of the class and he was about smack dab between them, so not quite to the level of the few kids really thriving but not as low as the lower level high schoolers either.

 

Anyway, so I think a bright 5th grader could handle it, at least with some accomodation. BTW, ds will do biology again in high school though.

[Nissi]

Ds. has recently completed Apologia Biology. He is 12. He understood all the concepts, got A's in all the tests, and enjoyed the course. It truly depends on the child. Apologia recommends attempting Biology if the child is ready for Algebra. Ds. also completed Algebra 1. Some exposure to Chemistry helps to understand Cellular Respiration and other topics.

HTH!

Nissi

[Hoggirl]

My ds is finishing up Algebra I on Thursday or Friday of this week. He has not had much chemistry exposure though. hmmm. I was planning on doing Bob Jones Life Science, but I am wondering if this might be a better option since it is less teacher intensive, and I am a science moron anyway??? I wonder how the two compare. I am NOT trying to stir up the hive, but I do know that "some" consider Apologia to be less rigorous than some other programs. I would have him do biology later again, too. At least I am glad to know that some have used it this young. It would probably be too much. I just don't know! I don't even know why this idea popped into my head. I already HAVE the BJU Life Science. My ds really prefers independence in the science area, however. What to do? What to do?

[Michelle in MO]

Apologia Biology early----it does require lots of memorization, though! Have you thought about switching the order and having him do BJU Life Science? That's a very good course---my middle daughter used it in 7th grade and really enjoyed it. Or, you could have him do Apologia Biology now, but I would repeat Biology later for high school credit, perhaps with BJU's Biology. I think it's fine to do some h.s. courses a year or two, perhaps before high school, but if you did a h.s. course like Apologia Biology that early, your student might forget quite a bit and it might be stretching the h.s. years a bit too much.

 

HTH!

[Nissi]

Is your ds. an avid reader? I know that some kids find the very wordy descriptive style of writing in Apologia annoying and prefer BJU. You could borrow a text and let him go through it and have him make the decision.

HTH!

Nissi

[Mommyfaithe]

ds completed this easily at 13, in 8th grade. DD's and older ds all used Apologia Bio in 9th at age 14 with no problem.

[proudmamma]

9th grade!!

[Hoggirl]

I'm still not sure which way to go. The Apologia seems so much more teacher-friendly than BJU...even the BJU Life Science. I will see if I can get an Apoligia biology and compare them for content. I know BJU Life Science has a few chapters on the human body which Apologia does not. I don't want to push too hard...I just want to find the best match for both of us.