michaeljenn Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I am trying to decide if my child is too young to really grasp Apologia Biology. How old was your child? My daughter is 14years and 1 month. I am thinking we need a growing year?? Opinions??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam L in Mid Tenn Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I think all of mine were 14 when they started Biology. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleab2 Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 My dd was 15 and it was just right for her. My ds tried to do it when he was 13 (to keep up with his sister :), but found it was way too hard. he could have done it, but it would have been so painful, that he wouldn't have learned much. He is doing it now, a year later. He is much more ready. He actually is excited about doing it and has said he was thankful he put it off a year. HTH Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emubird Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 We did biology with both my kids when they were 13, but we didn't use Apologia. We used a conglomeration of other materials. I don't think they really got the biochemistry, but they hadn't had chemistry yet. When my older daughter went back to review bio for a test she had to take, she picked up the biochem a lot more easily. She was older and had had chem, but I don't know which of those was responsible. From what I've heard of Apologia, though, it's a lot of memorizing, which isn't really what biology is all about. (But I'm speaking from hearsay.) If that's the case, I would think Apologia would be hard no matter what age you did it at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Mine have been 14, but don't judge yours based on mine. Kids develop differently. Mine are ALL really good at science. It comes naturally to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanna Tomlinson Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Two of mine were 14; both of them are going into science oriented majors (nursing and engineering). My eldest was 16. (She's now a history major in college. Science was never her thing.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyomarie Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I am trying to decide if my child is too young to really grasp Apologia Biology. How old was your child? My daughter is 14years and 1 month. I am thinking we need a growing year?? Opinions??? It really is variable as to the development of the child. The typical student will do well with biology at age 14, 9th grade. My oldest daughter did a much more challenging biology than Apologia at 14; she could have done Apologia easily at 12 or 13 had she been homeschooled at the time but she is also extremely bright. My next two children are bright with learning challenges that affect memory. Apologia was too difficult for my second child at 14yo; we tried and set it aside. However, she did well at 15yo. My son, who is dyslexic & has difficulty with memorizing but is otherwise a strong science student, is starting Apologia Biology this week. He will be 16 in a couple of months and is in 10th grade. I specifically delayed him doing Apologia because of the memory challenges & we did Earth Science last year from another publisher. Has your daughter done Apologia Physical Science? If she did and did well, I'd just move on to biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I am trying to decide if my child is too young to really grasp Apologia Biology. How old was your child? My daughter is 14years and 1 month. I am thinking we need a growing year?? Opinions??? Older dd was 15 (10th gr.)younger dd was 14 (9th gr.) Older ds was 14(9th grade), younger ds was 13 and 2 mos.( 8th grade) when we started. Faithe ETA: I think it depends on the child. You are her Mom. If you think she needs a year...then give her the year. It really is OK. ~~Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGK Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 ETA: I think it depends on the child. You are her Mom. If you think she needs a year...then give her the year. It really is OK. :iagree: My daughter (who really loathes science) is doing fine with Apologia Biology this year - she's 14. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 My girls are 12 and 13 and they are taking it this year. They are really good at science and enjoy it so it works for us. I think it depends on the child. Readiness is so variable. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcarolinamom Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 My kids were both 14 1/2 to 15 1/2 when they took it, and did / are doing fine. Ultimately, you know your child's maturity level best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 15-16. But he was in 9th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandtinagilbert Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 We're using it now at ages 13 (8th grade, strong student) and 14 (nearly 15). Both are using it easily and finding it MUCH better than the Gen. Sci. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolally Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 (edited) I don't think they really got the biochemistry, but they hadn't had chemistry yet. When my older daughter went back to review bio for a test she had to take, she picked up the biochem a lot more easily. She was older and had had chem, but I don't know which of those was responsible. :iagree: I have a younger student doing biology this year and he is doing great, with the exception of the biochemistry stuff. He's had no trouble with the rest of biology--but this was way, way over his head. I'm planning to try it again at the end of the year after we've finished the rest of the material. It really surprised me how 'stuck' he got with biochemistry--even the introductory stuff. I think we need another developmental leap for it to stick. Edited August 31, 2010 by homeschoolally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 My ds was 14/15 over the course of the year that he took it. He did fine. He really liked it too. I'm doing something different with dd, as Biology is "not her thing". This has DVD's and we're doing a lot of living books/reading, which she loves. So far so good! I agree--it depends on the child! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn&charles Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 My oldest son was 12 and my daughter was 14 1/2. It was fine for both of them. I think Otter will probably be 14-15 before he gets around to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 My DD took biology (not Apologia; we used Campbell/Reece Concepts and connections) for 7th grade when she was 12. She needed some help explaining the biochemistry, but other than that, no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia On My Mind Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 My dgd was 14 when we started but 15 when we finished. She did fine and I even thought it wasn't as challenging as BJU Biology I had taught before. Biology is mainly memorization of terms and the structure of biological organisms, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosiermom Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 My dd was 13 and in 8th grade when we did Apologia Biology. She had no trouble w/ it. I would consider her a generally strong student. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani3boys Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I plan to start shortly after my ds turns 14. He is very good at science, and he wants to work hard at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lagirl Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 My dd is doing it this year - she is a 15 yr old sophomore. It is very time consuming + she has no interest in biology so it is a major chore. Regardless of how bright a person is THIS IS DIFFICULT MATERIAL. Look it over for yourself and see how long you think it would take you to go through one module - then decide. I'd say "go with your gut", if you think your DD would do better next year, then that's what I'd do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraQ Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 From what I've heard of Apologia, though, it's a lot of memorizing, which isn't really what biology is all about. (But I'm speaking from hearsay.) If that's the case, I would think Apologia would be hard no matter what age you did it at. I would say that memorization is a HUGE part of biology. At least, that was my experience in my Anatomy & Physiology and Micro classes and for dh in MANY of his various Bio courses (he has degrees in Marine Biology and Marine Fisheries). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraQ Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I am trying to decide if my child is too young to really grasp Apologia Biology. How old was your child? My daughter is 14years and 1 month. I am thinking we need a growing year?? Opinions??? Biology is math-light and age isn't that important IMO. I think 14 is probably fine for many/most children. However, you want to make sure your child is able to finish at least Algebra I at the same time so they have that under their belts before starting Chemistry as it requires quite a bit more math than Biology does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 So far from oldest to third son: 14, 13, 15. It really does depend on the readiness of the child. I'm planning right now for my dd, who will be 14 at the time, to use this text next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Mine will probably be 16 when she does biology. We're doing the science order backwards. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 Thank you all. I'm not the OP but your responses really assisted me. I've been putting off purchasing our science this year. I've wasted so much on science that has bombed. I've made the decision to go with Apologia for high school and I'm nervous. I've been uncertain what book to start my 9th grader on. Based on what you all have said, I would say it's safe to say I want him to go through physical science this year because I just don't think he's ready for the load biology will be. I really need this to be the right decision. Science is a big gap for us but it's not so bad that it can't be corrected in high school. I really need to pick and stick to a science curriculum and really need this to be the one. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 9th grade - I think that he would have been 14 when he started and 15 when he finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjbucks1 Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Our ds is 12 (he will be 13 the end of this month) and he has worked throguh the first 6 chapters over the summer. He LOVES science and can memorize anything very easily, so he has done well. Like others have said, I would go with your gut feeling. You know your child the best :). Blessings!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Thank you all. I'm not the OP but your responses really assisted me. I've been putting off purchasing our science this year. I've wasted so much on science that has bombed. I've made the decision to go with Apologia for high school and I'm nervous. I've been uncertain what book to start my 9th grader on. Based on what you all have said, I would say it's safe to say I want him to go through physical science this year because I just don't think he's ready for the load biology will be. I really need this to be the right decision. Science is a big gap for us but it's not so bad that it can't be corrected in high school. I really need to pick and stick to a science curriculum and really need this to be the one. :) Jessica our situation was similar. We had terrible science books before finding out about Apologia. So my dd went into their physical science text with very little science background and it was a great course. It was the first year she liked science! I'm betting your son will enjoy it as well. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Ana is 14.5. CJ is 11.5 and is doing it "with" her - meaning she's doing the reading, he's doing the listening. She's doing written work, he isn't. They're both memorizing vocabulary. So essentially he's sitting in on her class. (But, I'm lazy and he's science minded so that's the way it is.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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