rose Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Let's talk middle school science. I've noticed several threads lately (and started one myself) about this topic and each time one pops up I learn about another curriculum that is available. Let's put it all together and discuss the merits of every middle school (~gr5 - gr9) curriculum you have any experience with. Just list them out with pros and cons. Feel free to repeat others if you have your own opinions. I'll start. Answers in Genesis (AIG) - Pros: It's easy to use, doesn't take much prep, short lessons, activities are simple, easy to use with multiple ages simultaneously, cheap. Cons: too much YE apologetics, too young for middle school, too much trivia, not good at presenting the big picture, no written questions for the children to answer. I'm giving it a 3/5 star rating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I have zero opinion as we aren't there yet but you might have more responses if you post in the logic stage board. I'd love to watch the thread because I don't know what I'll use in a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobos12 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Workbooks from Complete Classroom Press: Grades 5-9 Pros: So, so, so easy to use for this non-science person! For the aussies, it's covering the Year 7/8 curriculum outcomes. Well-timed lessons, and additional activities available online. Available as ebooks. Very little prep, except having the equipment for the activity/experiment, which is generally regular household items, or things that would be included in a homeschool science stash. Cons: Not very engaging. Not a lot of explanation for the significance of the experiment/activity, so it needs a little knowledge of scientific principles to explain the relevance of the activity to the reading & questions. Mixed success with experiments. Overall, I'd give it a 3/5. I personally don't love it, but it does get 'er done :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 BJU Science with the vidoes for 6th grade is GREAT. Mrs. Vick teaches science far better than I ever could, and I have a career in the science field. The course is rigorous. A good deal of the curriculum covers material that I wasn't introduced to until high school or in some cases until college. I have not used the other grades yet, but I am planning on continuing BJU Science for 7th and 8th. I feel so relaxed with science since I don't have to struggle with it any longer, and the kids are getting a great foundation for high school. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Answers in Genesis (AIG) - Pros: It's easy to use, doesn't take much prep, short lessons, activities are simple, easy to use with multiple ages simultaneously, cheap. Cons: too much YE apologetics, too young for middle school, too much trivia, not good at presenting the big picture, no written questions for the children to answer. I'm giving it a 3/5 star rating. My two oldest do the AiG science independently--they write out the "Words to Know" section (with a definition) in their notebooks; they also recopy the "What Did We Learn" questions (with answers), and the "Taking it Further" questions (with answers) in their notebooks. There also is the CD with worksheets/quizzes/tests. They enjoy the format, and have a decent base in science knowledge. They do AiG two days a week, work on a TOPS module one day week, and do something from AO's science selections (topical book or scientist bio) on Fridays. The variety works well for all of us. They also watch large amounts of NOVA for fun. My two oldest have greatly enjoyed doing TOPS modules. I like the simplicity of the set up and price point, and I also like how each module builds observing, thinking, reasoning, and recording of lab results. I highly recommend TOPS. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Exploration Education. Pros: Each module and lesson has a hands-on activity. FUN activities like making a steam engine boat, model airplane, motor, circuit, racer, rocket, guitar and more. Step by step instructions are super easy to follow. Everything needed for the hands-on activities is in one box. Very well organized! Lab book for student to complete and lessons are downloadable or can be accessed online. Cons: Material would be solid enough for a 6th grader, but would need additional depth (IMO) for a 7th or 8th grader. Could easily complement another physical science text. Apologia General Science: vacuum dust dry. Apologia Biology Pros: Easily done in 8th grade. Good first high school level biology course. Lots of good microscope work as well as dissections. The labs are my favorite part of this course. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waa510 Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 My DD isn't technically in middle but she's definitely there in the science realm...just like her Daddy was as a kid. ;) Anyway, we've loved Ellen J. McHenry products and Holt Science and Technology textbooks ( we're working through the life science and it is going so so well!) I also love the supplemental workbooks that go with the text....it is the most open and go yet rigorous science ever. I love it. We've also enjoyed Exploration Education for physics last year although definitely get the advanced version as even the advanced was more upper elementary than middle IMO. Every other science we've tried besides these have been misses..with me having to scrape together my own thing...which I hate!!! I plan on sticking with Holt for the rest of the year, and then use it also for Earth and Physical..after that, I'm not sure. I was so convinced that a PS textbook was not at all the answer for DD but I was dead wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Apologia General Science, Physical Science pros: easy to find texts from a variety of sellers, pre-assembled lab kits are easily purchased, solutions & test manuals are available, great for kids who like notebooking cons: so.very.boring, not great for kids who are allergic to writing, Young Earth in approach, Apologia as it is now owned has a very much you-are-my-kind-of-Christian-or-you-are-going-to-hell mindset--which can make some families not want to support the company Prentice Hall Science Explorer Series: Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science pros: books are easy to find used inexpensively on amazon, teacher support cd has teacher manuals for all three years, typical sequential line-up in jr high in prep for high school science, fair amount of labs included in materials, secular, inexpensive (<$10) workbook available online for kids who need it, audio cds are also available---and because it's a public school text, it's on bookshare (free audio for LD kids) cons: public school textbook, quick overview of materials---can be boring to those kids who need to go deep (although I would argue that it's an excellent springboard to deeper research on your own), workbook focuses mostly on vocabulary development/terminology rather than deeper thinking processes, have to assemble lab supplies yourself--some are impractical for homeschool use Ellen McHenry's materials: pros: digital versions save $$!, inexpensive, great approach to "real" science, covers topics at a depth not typically seen in jr high materials, audio version available, cons: some find the handdrawn pics & b&w text visually unappealing, not the typical jr. high sequence in prep for high school science Real Science 4 Kids (gravitas): pros: sells items as bundles from website, has the typical jr high lineup with the bonus of being able to do astronomy if you do it gr 5-8, very clear teaching in chemistry using accurate vocabulary, lab workbook helps build "real" science skills, optional quizzes/tests (learning to study for a test is a big deal in jr high, IME), optional cross-curricular approach (Kogs), online classes/club services available cons: curricula seems to constantly be changing (a re-name of levels happened in 2012)--figuring out what you need to buy can be challenging, pre-assembled kits are hard/impossible to find--a few items need to be ordered from a scientific/homeschool store (ie not found at Wal-Mart), one of my kids didn't like the lab workbook approach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted October 24, 2014 Author Share Posted October 24, 2014 This is so helpful. Thank you all. Does anyone else have experience with any others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Concepts and Challenges 1, 2, and 3- available by reprint from Mother of Divine Grace. Instead of covering one type of science for an entire year the texts are split up to cover biology, chemistry, etc.... Basic overview that I find age appropriate. (We are using 1 for 5th grade). Has helped my son learn how to answer questions in complete sentences in his own words. Good for my son that can learn independently from text books and isn't very into science. Probably would want something different for my hands-on science loving DS2 when he gets there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I'm just finishing up my second round of middle school with younger dd. My favorites: CPO Life Science Mr. Q Advanced Chemistry CPO Physics: A First Course (concurrent with or after Algebra 1 - I've used it twice now for 8th grade). I also really like Exploration Education and Ellen McHenry's stuff, but I used them more in late elementary. I've also used Prentice Hall Science Explorer (snore) and RealScience4Kids - for that I loved the first level of Chem (for early elementary), but the other subjects and later levels were blah imho. Also used CPO Earth Science, but it was too easy when we got to it in 7th (written for 6th; should have used it in 5th). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolamum Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Christian Kids Explore -- Christian {Chemistry & Physics seem to not have a stand for Ye or Oe} Pros: Quick open & go. Not horrifyingly expensive, & there's a cd with the extras on it meaning one book per family makes it very very affordable. Cons: The lessons are super short unless you add in the Kingfisher Encyclopedia. I've felt the need to really beef it up with other sources which was simplistic enough to do, but would have been better if we could have had it all ready done, kwim? Note: I only have experience with Chemistry & Physics thus far; I did hear their Creation Science does have some mention of YE in it. Apologia {Christian.. YE all though Astronomy & Anatomy seem okay in regards to YE OE} Pros: open & go, for the most part. Easy to obtain. Can be used as an audio as well making the lectures even easier to use. Cons: Many books are too YE if you're not into that. Some are equally boring. Lots of hands on experiments if you're not wanting that. Noeo Science {Christian Company, Secular Curriculum.. which is explained in their samples on their website} Pros: Uses a variety of books that are prescheduled mixed with experiments. Pretty open & go & suppose to be directed directly to the student. Cons: If your child isn't on grade level for reading, & even if they are, some of the books are full & dry while others are below. We found that Level 1 & 2 seemed too young where as Level 3 was all most too much. I presented level 2 to my husband, very sciency, & he ranked the book as a 9th grade book that we were attempting to use with someone as young as 5th. If you live overseas shipping is pretty full on & for their Chemistry unit, for instance, you'll need to source the chem kit. Note: I don't own a Level I, my observation was obviously from the samples. I do have some Level 2, but for 6-9 it seems a little young. Winter Promise Science {Christian, YE, all though their Biology is not YE} Pros: Pretty open & go. One price covers all your students within your own home. Incorporates living books, notebooking, experiments, all tied into a main spine generally. Can cover many grades. Cons: Some spines are a bit much if you don't go with the higher end of their grade level which makes covering all the grades stated a bit difficult. Some of their science themes are heavy YE which can be a turn-off if you're not into that kinda thing. In the end, I've found that picking & choosing what is okay with one or another & mixing it together makes for something that works perfectly for us. I just wish something open & go was very perfect for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 CPO Physical Science has some uncorrected errata--there are some threads one should hunt down here when considering the curriculum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 CPO Physical Science has some uncorrected errata--there are some threads one should hunt down here when considering the curriculum. I have never used CPO Physical Science, only Physics: A First Course. I found a couple of errors in the answer key, but very, very few - no more than I've found in almost any curriculum I've used. It is also now in its second edition (though I've only used the 1st). I liked the look of Physics: A First Course much better than Physical Science, which is why I chose it instead. CPO also offers a couple of other Physical Science texts, all with different scopes and sequences, that are for grades 8-10 (so, still appropriate for middle school but not their "middle school" book). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I don't have anything to contribute, but is it possible to indicate if the program is secular? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I have a question for you about this, as I am considering it for my DD next year. I see on their website that the advanced version is rated for 7th-10th grade. Are you referring to this advanced version as not being rigorous for an 8th grader? If so, I may have to keep looking. Exploration Education. Pros: Each module and lesson has a hands-on activity. FUN activities like making a steam engine boat, model airplane, motor, circuit, racer, rocket, guitar and more. Step by step instructions are super easy to follow. Everything needed for the hands-on activities is in one box. Very well organized! Lab book for student to complete and lessons are downloadable or can be accessed online. Cons: Material would be solid enough for a 6th grader, but would need additional depth (IMO) for a 7th or 8th grader. Could easily complement another physical science text. Apologia General Science: vacuum dust dry. Apologia Biology Pros: Easily done in 8th grade. Good first high school level biology course. Lots of good microscope work as well as dissections. The labs are my favorite part of this course. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waa510 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I have a question for you about this, as I am considering it for my DD next year. I see on their website that the advanced version is rated for 7th-10th grade. Are you referring to this advanced version as not being rigorous for an 8th grader? If so, I may have to keep looking. You didn't ask me ;) but I've used it so I'll throw in my 2 cents. I wouldn't personally consider it rigorous enough for an 8th grader...it's fun but fairly shallow. It's not what I'd want out of a middle school course in Physics. It was at times easy for my 3rd grader....last year!!! We used the advanced version. It is, however, very very easy to implement and "get done." It's a great choice for a first exposure to Physics but the depth just isn't there for older kids, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Bumping...good info here. I keep running back into this thread when I do searches. And hopefully others can add in more info like on the great threads for High School? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Next year (7th) we'll be using Oxford University Press Chemistry. I think we'll use their Biology and Physics as well, and split the year up into quarters. Each book has a section for grade 7, 8,and 9 so by integrating the three sciences we'll be able to use them for 2-3 years and not burn out on any one subject. We got impatient so I've already ordered the Chemistry and he's just starting it this week. Browsing through the workbook, it looks like it starts off basic but gets meaty quickly. We haven't had a science program work for us yet (that's been enough for him), so we're hopeful! It's secular. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlymom Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I don't have anything to contribute, but is it possible to indicate if the program is secular? I'm not sure if any of the programs listed so far are secular, but I know the following are: RSO Biology 2 Elemental Science Logic Stage (has separate programs for biology, physics, earth science and chemistry, I think) We haven't used these in the logic stage yet, but we are almost there with my oldest, but we will probably use one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I'm not sure if any of the programs listed so far are secular, but I know the following are: RSO Biology 2 Elemental Science Logic Stage (has separate programs for biology, physics, earth science and chemistry, I think) We haven't used these in the logic stage yet, but we are almost there with my oldest, but we will probably use one of these. CPO is secular Mr Q is secular I bet that Oxford University Press is secular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Next year (7th) we'll be using Oxford University Press Chemistry. I think we'll use their Biology and Physics as well, and split the year up into quarters. Each book has a section for grade 7, 8,and 9 so by integrating the three sciences we'll be able to use them for 2-3 years and not burn out on any one subject. We got impatient so I've already ordered the Chemistry and he's just starting it this week. Browsing through the workbook, it looks like it starts off basic but gets meaty quickly. We haven't had a science program work for us yet (that's been enough for him), so we're hopeful! It's secular. :) May I please have a link for the oxford press book? Or books? I really like their history books aimed at the middle school crowd. If the science books are similar then I would be very interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Wizards Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Derek Owens Physical Science - we've been very happy with it this year (8th). I feel it is an excellent program to transition to high school science courses. Con - not enough experiments for my child. Exploration Education Physics - completed in 5th grade I believe? Too light for us, child disliked Holt Science & Technology Earth - good year with experiments completed every week (outsourced to someone else) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 May I please have a link for the oxford press book? Or books? I really like their history books aimed at the middle school crowd. If the science books are similar then I would be very interested.Here ya go! :) https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/complete-science-cambridge-secondary-1/?region=international We haven't used them yet; I just got the workbook yesterday. I'm thinking I might try to do all 3 in 2 years, working through the Level 7 and 8 a bit quicker than Level 9. Then again, planning science in advance typically doesn't work for us. ;) I'm surprised more people don't use this series. I'd love to see how others implement and supplement it. Eta: I bought them on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Here ya go! :) https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/complete-science-cambridge-secondary-1/?region=international We haven't used them yet; I just got the workbook yesterday. I'm thinking I might try to do all 3 in 2 years, working through the Level 7 and 8 a bit quicker than Level 9. Then again, planning science in advance typically doesn't work for us. ;) I'm surprised more people don't use this series. I'd love to see how others implement and supplement it. Eta: I bought them on Amazon. Thank you! I love learning about logic stage science resources. I am fairly set on CPO for earth and life science, and I liked Derek Owens Physical Science for 8th grade, but that leaves lots of space for other things I am especially interested in Chemistry. Last time through the logic stage, chemistry was a total bust. It is difficult to find that sweet spot in middle grade science, with information that is accessible to middle grade kids without being too easy or needing math that is beyond their level. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thank you! I love learning about logic stage science resources. I am fairly set on CPO for earth and life science, and I liked Derek Owens Physical Science for 8th grade, but that leaves lots of space for other things I am especially interested in Chemistry. Last time through the logic stage, chemistry was a total bust. It is difficult to find that sweet spot in middle grade science, with information that is accessible to middle grade kids without being too easy or needing math that is beyond their level. Yes, exactly! So far DS loves the look of it, so I'm hopeful. There aren't required labs but it does look like there are some you could come up with to correlate with lessons if you wanted to. It does do a fair bit of lab analysis, however, describing experiments that other students set up and requiring you to show what they did wrong/ what step shoud come next/ what possible outcomes might be and so forth. So you get a solid understanding of how to set them up (and why) without actually needing to purchase a bunch of lab equipment. We aren't big on hands on stuff, but I'll have to mull over whether recreating some ourselves might have value. I'd love to hear from others who might have done that but my searches aren't pulling anything up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I am especially interested in Chemistry. Last time through the logic stage, chemistry was a total bust. It is difficult to find that sweet spot in middle grade science, with information that is accessible to middle grade kids without being too easy or needing math that is beyond their level. We had a really good year in 7th with Mr. Q Advanced Chemistry. Caveat: we did not do the Mr. Q labs, so I can't speak to those. We did an outside chemistry lab class instead. But the text, the worksheets and the tests were just right for dd. She was taking Algebra at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 We had a really good year in 7th with Mr. Q Advanced Chemistry. Caveat: we did not do the Mr. Q labs, so I can't speak to those. We did an outside chemistry lab class instead. But the text, the worksheets and the tests were just right for dd. She was taking Algebra at the same time. That is good to know. My older boy was not impressed with Mr Q life science..the elementary level. It was 'too jokey'. He's not a serious kid, but he isn't fond of too much humor or lightheartedness in school books. He wants his school work to feel like work and his fun things to be fun, I guess. He didn't like LOF either. Weirdness, I tell you. I found Mr Q life science to be either too light for the upper elementary years (fourth or fifth) but too much writing and reading for the younger set (1-3), but that was just my own experience. I know lots of people find that it is a fantastic fit. And Mr Q has solid science, I don't quibble with that at all! And I would want to do the labs b/c we don't really have access to a chemistry lab class, so solid lab work is a plus. eta: I think Mr Q came out with the advanced chemistry either right before my son was going to study it, or right after. I can't remember, but there was a reason I didn't look into it for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 That is good to know. My older boy was not impressed with Mr Q life science..the elementary level. It was 'too jokey'. He's not a serious kid, but he isn't fond of too much humor or lightheartedness in school books. He wants his school work to feel like work and his fun things to be fun, I guess. He didn't like LOF either. Weirdness, I tell you. I found Mr Q life science to be either too light for the upper elementary years (fourth or fifth) but too much writing and reading for the younger set (1-3), but that was just my own experience. I know lots of people find that it is a fantastic fit. And Mr Q has solid science, I don't quibble with that at all! And I would want to do the labs b/c we don't really have access to a chemistry lab class, so solid lab work is a plus. eta: I think Mr Q came out with the advanced chemistry either right before my son was going to study it, or right after. I can't remember, but there was a reason I didn't look into it for him. We did the Mr. Q Life as well, with the same kid. She was in 2nd or 3rd, can't remember, and yeah, that was about the right level. The Advanced Chem is at a much higher level - in Dicentra's High School Chem thread she said it looked a non-honors high school level, so good and solid for middle school. Lots of math. The labs in the book are all kitchen labs, so no special equipment. This could be good or bad depending on your point of view, I guess. I really enjoyed outsourcing the labs! :) I'm bad about getting to messy project-y things. Maybe someone who actually did the labs could weigh in... And a note to your son... it's still a bit jokey and silly, not sure how much compared to the younger texts, but it still has a bit of that. You might want to print out a sample chapter for him to read. Dd wasn't a big LOF fan either, but she liked Mr. Q (don't know if she would have liked the lower-level Bio if she'd been older, it really is a lower/mid elementary text, but that's when we used it, so it was good.) He lays out a good schedule, too, which can be done in 3 days a week. There are worksheets for every chapter, also unit quizzes and quarterly tests. There's a whole week built into the schedule to study for the quarterly tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homemama2 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 BJU 6th grade: YE in approach Bright and colorful. Lots of great labs. We did NOT use the videos, so it needed to be taught by me. Took a lot of "mom" time, so if you are not a science person or do not have the time, you would need to choose something else or use the videos. Pricey!! Real Science for Kids by Gravitas Press Focus on Middle School Geology We ONLY used the Geology so keep that in mind. ;) I used this in addition to BJU 6th grade bc of my son's interest in Geology. I thought it was very light. Some of the "labs" seemed more appropriate for 2-3rd grade. I would not recommend it for 7th/8th. It was ok for us bc it made a nice easy introduction to the info in BJU, but all in all we were disappointed. BJU 7th grade YE in approach This was a big step up from 6th grade. I did not use the videos so it is very time intensive for the parent. I consider this an honors program compared to other middle school science I've looked at. Some of the things covered in this course I remember learning in Bio 1. Labs are great but use real lab equipment so it is expensive. We ended up setting this aside for my oldest bc it was too much for him. He moved into Apologia General Science which was considerably easier. Apologia General Science YE in approach, conversational in tone. The texbooks are not as colorful as BJU and are therefore much cheaper. ;) This is similar in level to BJU's 6th grade. The notebook is nice in preparing the student for more writing (lab reports, study questions etc.) Can be done independently by the student (we chose not to do it this way bc it was kind of boring for him). Honestly, a lot of the labs so far are things we've already done in other curriculums so I'm hoping this improves as they move into high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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