I bought most of the supplies for BJU Life Science for two reasons: 1) most can be reused for Biology 2) I'll be using it all again with a younger sibling

We used Omnibus 2. There is some discussion of predestination versus free will and I saw as a good opportunity to talk about it with my DD. Is David Quine's material Calvinist also? I haven't used it, but wondered because his Worldview courses rely a lot on Francis Schaeffer's books and he was a Calvinist (he was a Presbyterian minister). I'm not Calvinist but I have absolutely no problem with Omnibus or Schaeffer's books - they're very thought provoking. I don't expect to agree with 100% of any curriculum or author. And I think at the middle/high school level students can handle wrestling with differing ideas in a text book, especially if their parent is guiding them. BTW - I agree with Candid's reply also. :)

I have both the BJU and A Beka 9th grade texts for Physical/Integrated Physics & Chemistry. I've been skimming them to refresh my own education and IMO the BJU text is written more clearly. The A Beka text has lovely photographs and is nicely formatted, but I've been able to absorb the BJU text more easily. Plus, if you use something like DIVE to provide the lecture & labs, then I think BJU is easier to use since Dr. Shorman originally based DIVE on BJU texts - there's not so much jumping around in the book. I've heard many recommend the Red Wagon Tutorials if you decide to go with Apologia.

:iagree: That's really interesting - we've done the opposite. We used BJU 7th successfully (and loved it!) but skipped 8th because DD has no interest in Earth Science and very little interest in Astronomy. DD15 is currently using BJU 10th for Biology and we're very happy with the choice. Which leads to what I was wondering before getting to HollyDay's post... could it be your DS has little interest in Earth & Space Science? My DD12 is finishing up BJU 6th grade science which is a general science text and covers a variety of topics. She's done great on the chapters she enjoys... botany, chemistry, genetics, anatomy... She couldn't have cared less about the Earth science, astronomy & physics. :iagree: Or let him do the test orally. For DD12, she is academically a late bloomer. After she got a 75% on the first test I realized she wasn't ready to study for a test on her own. I give her the whole test orally and then have her take it on her own the next day. She usually misses 2-3 questions orally, we talk about them, and then she aces the test when she writes it. Finally, I STRONGLY recommend the Lab Investigations DVD to go along with BJU 7th and I'm sure it's just as outstanding for BJU 8th. Mrs. Vick demonstrates EVERY lab in the text and always correlates them back to the text. She asks thinking questions to get the student engaged in the whys. The DVD is a bit pricey, but you own it.

Ecce Romani! We started with Henle, made it through the first half (considered the first year) and then switched to Ecce Romani 2. I liked it so much I started using Ecce Romani 1 to supplement Latin for Children B in a co-op class. The kids really enjoy the translations and all lessons are clearly presented. The text includes Latin Grammar, Vocabulary, Word Roots and Roman Culture & History. The material seems to be well aligned with College Board's standardized tests for Latin (ie: SAT II). The TE for ER1 can be hard to find, but it's worth it. Used copies of ER2 TE are readily available. There are tons of support materials on the internet, like flash cards and games. Just google Ecce Romani. The publisher also provides extra practice on their website which I use as weekly quizzes. http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=jfk&wcsuffix=1000

Here's a link to it - yes you own it. The wonderful Mrs. Vick teaches every lab and relates them directly to the chapter. http://www.christianbook.com/life-science-investigations/pd/269159?product_redirect=1&Ntt=269159&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

We successfully completed Life Science along with the DVD Lab Investigations. I had DD complete 1 hands on lab each and watch the rest of them on the DVD. The books are very well organized with the Student Activity sheets right in the back of the text. I'll be using it again next year with my younger DD. DD15 is currently using BJU Biology along with DIVE. It's going great and she loves how in depth BJU goes into each topic. These DVDs may be a little pricey, but you buy them, own them and can use them again with siblings.

In the past, Landry Academy offered classes for about 50% off if you signed up (and paid) a year in advance. If they continue with this discount, they will probably post it in September 2012 for 2013/14 classes. I think I signed up in October 2011 for 2012/13 and received about 45% off. They also have a "generic" class code option so you can get the discounted rate but select the actual class at a later date.

Bob Jones Algebra 1 is "mastery." There's about 8-10 review questions at the end of each lesson and there's a review at the end of each chapter. As I'm sure you know, DVD's or online lectures are available. Text is clean and easy on the eyes - not too cluttered. You can see the TOC and a sample chapter here: http://www.bjupress.com/product/273706?path=1504

I've read through this whole workbook and found it very helpful for ME. I haven't used it yet with my DD but hope to fit it in during middle school. We've also used CLE and it's written to the student to use independently. It's very thorough. But Figuratively Speaking specifically targets literary devices in an interesting and engaging way.

We've done Challenge B & I, but not A, so I'm not really sure. The History of Science in Challenge B teaches the student how to outline, write note cards, write a narrative essay and builds up to writing an expository essay. This might be more practice of the same skills learned in Challenge A, but my impression is that it's a bit more in depth.

I guess I shouldn't say "supplemented." We completed ALL of BJU Life Science - every chapter, EVERY Student Activity sheet (there's about 3-4 per chapter), every test and every lab (1 hands on each week and the rest on DVD). BJU Life Science is an extremely rigorous middle school text. I've taught Apologia Biology at co-op for two years and the labs in BJU Life Science are often more in depth. Since you'd like to do Apologia Biology, I don't think it would be a problem. Apologia Chem has a lot of math so it might be tougher.

I wouldn't skip the scientist biographies. That's where a lot of the research skills are gained. Science looks something like this (which you can read about in the catalog): 1st half fall History of Science (scientist biography research) 2nd half fall Science Fair Project 1st half spring Defeating Darwin 2nd half spring chemistry unit study The spring science is minimal so it's very easy to supplement. We supplemented all year with BJU Life Science. We used Conceptual Physics this year and the text is great, but we also tried to do the accompanying "Problem Solving Workbook" and the math was a killer. DD is only in geometry and just started a little trig last week, so she was not prepared for the math. But you'll have no problem if you just want to read Conceptual Physics, do a few experiments and get the concepts. DD and I both really liked reading the text.

The research skills learned in Challenge B are outstanding. Though the material is a bit light on content, it's excellent in skills training. My DD really enjoyed it! I was impressed with the gentle, fluid process of learning learning how to research a topic, put it on paper and present it through the Current Events and History of Science in the fall. And the Short Story and Mock Trial in the spring is fun and seems to be the favorites with most students. I used MOH with my younger DD and we really enjoyed that too. It sounds like a good combo to use MOH with the High School recommendations alongside Challenge B. I hope it's a great year for your DD!

We supplemented Challenge B with Omnibus II & BJU Life Science (DD has 2 years of Intro Physics/Chem in 6th & 7th so she needed a Life Sci course).

Maybe Smarr would work for you? We'll be using it in the fall with Landry's Ancient Lit class. http://www.smarrpublishers.com/products.php?catid=33&category=5-day%20Courses%20(chronological)

Elegant Essay is excellent, but I'd do IEW SWI-B first (that's what DD15 used when she was in 7th grade). I've written on this board many times that buying SWI-B from IEW was the best $99 I ever spent. You can do IEW SWI-B in the fall and Elegant Essay in the spring.

He describes each living thing scientifically. I recently watched the lesson on plants. He states how to classify them, then talks about the parts of the plant and the Greek roots the names come from. Different types of plants, monocot vs. dicot, conifers, etc... If you look at the sample of the "Guide" provided on their website, it's an excellent snapshot of the lecture on plants. And that sample is a good representation of all the lectures. If you're OK with the material presented in this sample of the guide, then you should be ok with the rest of the course. If not, then it's probably not a good fit for your family. http://www.the101series.com/bio/sampleguidebook.pdf

Each video lesson begins by saying "on the _____ day, God created ______." Then Wes Olsen teaches about the science which pertains to that day of creation. Other than the introduction of each video lesson, the lessons do not keep repeating the age of the Earth. I think an Old Earth Creationist could still enjoy the lessons. We use Biology 101 as a supplement and I thoroughly enjoy watching it with the kids! You can see a sample and the list of contents here: http://www.the101series.com/bio/contents.html

As already posted - BJU is mastery (stays on one topic). We like it, but as also mentioned, the text doesn't include much instruction and it needs to be taught (before Algebra). BJU's Algebra text has good instructions to the student and each lesson includes a few review problems at the end. I like math so I don't mind teaching it, but I've read where a number of users have been more successful with the DVDs. We haven't used it, but Rod & Staff math is mastery. If you want to stick with AoPS but need more practice, how about "Key To..." workbooks? My older DD used CLE Math 800 and loved it! It's spiral, but not as incremental as Saxon. It includes several problems to practice the new lesson taught and the rest of the lesson is review of previous lessons. I thought it was a very nice balance of mastery & spiral.

Here's another vote for Much Ado About Nothing for either a girl or a boy. We also really enjoyed Taming of the Shrew and we liked the Elizabeth Taylor / Richard Burton movie version. But I suppose Hamlet might be better for a boy.

Since Jacobs isn't a fit, if you want a gentle but solid Algebra 1 for 7th, you might consider BJU. I call it Goldilocks math - not too easy and not too hard. I've been working through the Teacher Guide getting ready for next year and I'm pleased with it. I think it will be a nice exposure to Algebra 1 for my DD in the spring. If we love it, then she'll probably just finish it in 8th grade, but I'm anticipating DD will get bogged down around chapter 6 (functions & graphs). We'll be close to the end of the school year by then, so we'll get a chance to start fresh with Jacobs (or?) for 8th after some exposure in 7th. ETA: Sorry, not sure if you're looking specifically for secular - obviously ignore if you are. :)

:iagree: Everyone's given you some great suggestions and I especially agree with these quotes. My daughter could also be ready for Algebra 1 next year in 7th, but I'm more comfortable with Algebra 1 in 8th and don't see a need to rush. After much deliberation, I'm planning to complete LOF Pre-Algebra in the fall and start BJU Algebra 1 in the spring and go at the pace my DD sets. I'll probably follow up with Jacobs Algebra 1 in 8th grade because I think DD will like it (I like it and we're similarly wired :) ). Here's a sample of Jacobs if you need it.

7th Math: LOF Pre-Algebra & BJU Algebra 1 Grammar: The Giggly Guide to Grammar Writing: Jump In Science: Bob Jones Life Science (2nd time around & I can hardly wait!) Nature Study/Anatomy: CC Challenge A Geography: CC Challenge A Bible: Don't Check Your Brains at the Door (CC Ch A) Critical Thinking: It Couldn't Just Happen (CC Ch A) Literature: Missionaries, Heroes & CC Challenge A French: First Start French + private tutor Art: Atelier 6 Computer Applications, Sewing & PE @ co-op Piano & Gymnastics

These are excellent and super helpful! Thanks for posting!