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8th Grade Science, something after Physical Science but before Biology


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My dd decided to to Physical Science this year for 7th and she is definitely being pushed to the max.  She hates Science, and I have to say, I find no other subject so boring, no matter how hard I try. 

 

My dd is very intelligent and smart but she plans to go for Teaching and does not plan to take Physics in High School.

 

So rather than push her ahead to Biology next year in 8th grade, I want to figure out something else between Apologia Physical Science, and Apologia Biology.

 

But, I don't want her to lose her momentum and study skills, so it does have to be a serious textbook based Science course that requires flashcards and note taking, etc.  

 

Experiments can be optional since we aren't talking about high school.

 

I thought about going back and starting her over in General Science but she is already almost done Module 3 (6 weeks of work) so she said she would rather push through for this year!

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My dd decided to to Physical Science this year for 7th and she is definitely being pushed to the max.  She hates Science, and I have to say, I find no other subject so boring, no matter how hard I try. 

My dd is very intelligent and smart but she plans to go for Teaching and does not plan to take Physics in High School.

So rather than push her ahead to Biology next year in 8th grade, I want to figure out something else between Apologia Physical Science, and Apologia Biology.

 

But, I don't want her to lose her momentum and study skills, so it does have to be a serious textbook based Science course that requires flashcards and note taking, etc.  

 

You mention that you find science so boring - could the bolded have anything to do with it?

A "serious textbook based" science course with flash cards (gag) would be a sure way to turn off many a kid from science.

Why don't you make it fun instead?

 

Suggestions what to take: 

Astronomy, geology, forensic science, atmospheric science (meterology), paleontology, cool areas of physics that are not what is taught in a traditional course...

But serious textbook+notes+flash cards is pretty much a recipe for boring.

Edited by regentrude
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My 8th grader is taking Earth Science (Pre-geology in the fall, and Intro to astronomy, air power and space in spring) with Landry Academy. It requires quite a bit of work including studying for tests, but I think it is also more fun because it is a weekly live online class with a teacher and other students.

 

Also they have to do labs and write up formal lab reports. That is turning out to be very useful.

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BJU Earth or Life science would be challenging courses. Life science might make Biology easier in high school. It did for my dd, and she often said she remembered learning concepts through the program. I used BJU Life with DVD in dd's 8th grade year and am doing the same this year with ds. 

 

 

 

 

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I planned subtopics in biology this year for my 8th grader.  Botany, ornithology, entomology.  She didn't give me any ideas, so I tried to come up with topics that she would like.

 

I should have known better.  She doesn't like science this year.  Maybe I should go back to an hour of exploration a day?  I will ask her today if she would rather do equine science (she is totally immersed in the horse world lately).

 

Calming Tea, I fell in love with science at the same time my older sons did - as we watched amazing documentaries about physics.  We just watched and watched which led to reading which led to math which led to two wanna-be physicists.

 

Maybe watch documentaries with your dd for a few weeks?  Find what she tends to like and follow her lead.  She will also feed off of your enthusiasm, if you respond with awe to the documentaries.  I am not suggesting you pretend!  Science is amazing - what can be more fun than solving the greatest mysteries in life using facts?  Good stuff!

 

There are some coursera, futurelearn, open2study, and edx courses that may be inspiring as well.

 

What about The Big History Project?  That might serve as a combination of all of your requirements.

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Why not call 7th grade Integrated Science and retry physical science in the 8th grade using something else besides Apologia?

 

For 7th grade, we used a basic Life Science text by Holt. I first taught DS to analyze and breakdown a text's organization using the textmapping.org website and then taught topical/full sentence outlines. We also learned to outline using mind mapping with the Inspiration app on the iPad. For science, we performed growth experiments, used the microscope, and watched documentaries. Enjoy logic stage science because high school science feels more confining. You can also teach text book study skills across other subjects. That process is an ongoing one that happens over many years.

Edited by Heathermomster
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