lovemywhirlygirls Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I'm trying to decide about a direction for science for my 3 girls (10, 7 and 5) and have been looking at the Apologia Elementary series...likely beginning with Botany. I've physically gone to buy it twice now and haven't.....because the idea of doing Botany for a whole year throws all kinds of flags up for me. I imagine extreme boredom, gnashing of teeth, the whole bit. The girls show interest in plants and plant life, but I just can't imagine it for a whole year. What about doing Botany and Astronomy at the same time.....one week one, one week the other.....to mix it up a bit? Those of you who have done the Apologia studies....please advise me. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 When we did the astronomy, a semester on it was more than enough. You can comfortably do a chapter a week, no problem. I wouldn't alternate books but rather finish one and then move on to the next. BTW, H.A. Ray, Curious George author, has some cute books on constellations you can use with the astronomy. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I had the same questions as you. We are soon starting Flying Creatures b/c my dc are interested in Birds in particular. Great study for spring/summer. I also can't imagine a whole 20 + wks on birds, insects, etc. My dc have other science interests, too! Dd just informed me she wants to learn about dolphins and other sea/ocean creature as well as Rocks and Minerals! Ugh! So, my plan is to get through the bird section in Flying Creatures and play it by ear from there. Perhaps we'll move to Swimming Creatures and do a unit or so in there. Dd is using Apol. GEn. next year and I *think* it includes rocks/minerals. I *think*. If not...we have CKE Earth and Space! I think you could easily just do one unit or so in Botany (depending on how it's broken up!), do a unit or 2 in Astronomy and then come back to Botany and so on w/out problems. Just take a look at how Botany is broken down to see if there is a good "stopping point", kwim? HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemywhirlygirls Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Wishing Jeannie Fulbright had an elementary general science book.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivetails Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 dd11 has been using the astronomy one this year and loves it :D it's our 'official' science program, but we do other things that would fall under the 'science' heading as well - we've had some science kits kicking around that we played with, we have a book out right now loaded with experiments that can be done around the home, she's investigated magnets, tore various electronic gadgets apart to see 'what's inside', had fun with some 'kitchen chemistry', watched programs that I'd file under 'animal science', etc etc etc.... We have the zoology1 Flying creatures for next year unless she changes her mind - so far, she's keen on it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Central TX Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Each Elem Apologia book has about 13-14 lessons, so I do 2 books in one year. However, I do start these books later in our elementary years (grades 4, 5, or 6). We do Astronomy in the fall and botany in the spring. This works out very well with the seasons of the year. I'm not sure about switching the programs each week though. I think it would get confusing, and you wouldn't see the flow of either program very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 You can very easily complete one book per semester. Don't feel married to a year-long schedule! That would drive me nuts as well. I'm ready for a refreshing change about January anyway. HTH! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Wishing Jeannie Fulbright had an elementary general science book.... There is. It's called BJU science. ;) (Not that it's written by Fulbright obviously, but it's very enjoyable and well done. We like it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Ledge Academy Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I would agree, you can do 2 books in one year, but I would do one whole one and then another. Try for botany in the spring...much more convenient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pammy Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 but we did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarleneW Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I really like her programs and agree with what others have said on here. You can definatly do it in a semester. I also agree it would get way too confusing to alternate though. We are planning on Zoology I for next year. I personally can't wait to use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadiegirl Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 We are currently doing the Astronomy and we are only started about a month ago and I hope to have it completed by May 24th(that is our last day of school and this also includes a week off for tests) We haven't tried Apologia before this but we were searching for a science text to use and both of the boys have enjoyed it. We started with Astonomy as it was something that none of us were excited about(we are plant and animal lovers). We decided if we liked the Astronomy that it was a good sign we would like the others. So far, we are loving it and all of us are learning more than we thought we would! I am looking forward to the Flying Creatures book that I ordered at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemywhirlygirls Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Thanks to all of you for your responses. I very much appreciate the input. I think we'll go for it the rest of this spring and summer and into the fall and see how we do. Good timing when we can fully experience what we're studying. I'll plan to check out BJU as well....have done no research in that direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.