mazakaal Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I'm considering this for my non-sciency 14yo for 9th grade. He will be about half-way through algebra when he starts it. So, those of you have used it with your kids, what did you think of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 bumping Has anyone used this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in CO Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I bought the program with the intention of using it next year with my soon to be 8th grader. But he decided to do Earth Science at a coop with his friends next year instead. So we will be waiting on it until he is in 9th. We choose it because after reading the 3 books I had on my shelves, the CK12 biology book, Shepherd's, and one other one that is escaping me right now, my non-biology loving son looked up and smiled, and said this is the one. I have no experience using it, but my son enjoys the writing style of the book, it was understandable to him. Sorry I can't be of more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Thanks for your input. Anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApprentice Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I too was considering it for my non-science ds for 8th grade and will probably use DIVE CD's along with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I am also going to use this. We were going to use it this year, but Chem was taught at co-op and we couldn't pass that up. I like the looks of it...enough pictures to make it more interesting. But, I am not sure it is an 'easier' or whatever option. This is the one science subject that I can do and I took a lot of these type of pre nursing classes - it looks complete and very do-able, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 I too was considering it for my non-science ds for 8th grade and will probably use DIVE CD's along with it. I saw someone mention in another thread wanting to use DIVE cd's with Shepherd Science. I went on the DIVE website, but it looked like they are designed for use with Apologia. Do they have a set to line up with Shepherd Science or will you just try to line up the Apologia set? Do the topics line up pretty easily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 I am also going to use this. We were going to use it this year, but Chem was taught at co-op and we couldn't pass that up. I like the looks of it...enough pictures to make it more interesting. But, I am not sure it is an 'easier' or whatever option. This is the one science subject that I can do and I took a lot of these type of pre nursing classes - it looks complete and very do-able, though! I'm not looking for an easier option as much as one that will give me some hand-holding. I really like that it has all labs on dvd and a question and answer dvd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 My "sciencey" loving friend thinks it's more thorough than say... Apologia's. That would make sense, as the author of Apologia's is a Chemist.... and so I would assume that Biology wouldn't be his "first love" ;) I think that often people, including homeschoolers, get set in a .... "this is our Science line-up"... (Apologia) without that meaning that it's the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom'sGirl Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I just bought it so obviously we have not used it yet. I like that the author has written a schedule to follow. I think you can see a sample of it at CBD if you look at the parent companion sample. I also considered adding DIVE but I think we will just use the program as written. I don't think this program holds the student's hand as much as Apologia, but it looks easy enough to form a routine and have the student follow it. I think I am going to have ds write definitions on cards as he reads so that he can practice them. Memorizing is hard for him and there is a ton of memorization in Biology no matter what program you use. They are woking on another full DVD companion to the program, but it is not available yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I saw someone mention in another thread wanting to use DIVE cd's with Shepherd Science. I went on the DIVE website, but it looked like they are designed for use with Apologia. Do they have a set to line up with Shepherd Science or will you just try to line up the Apologia set? Do the topics line up pretty easily? There is a syllabus for Shepherd Science here. The Author recommends BJU textbook but has a syllabus for many different books (most out there I believe) Is this not as rigorous? I see alot of people will be using this with non-sciency (ummm, its a word because I used it ;)) I was debating on using this with my dd in 10th who wants to become a Vet along with DIVE. Would this not be as rigorous as, say, BJU or another program? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 There is a syllabus for Shepherd Science here. The Author recommends BJU textbook but has a syllabus for many different books (most out there I believe) Is this not as rigorous? I see alot of people will be using this with non-sciency (ummm, its a word because I used it ;)) I was debating on using this with my dd in 10th who wants to become a Vet along with DIVE. Would this not be as rigorous as, say, BJU or another program? One person I talked to said she would place Shepherd Science between BJU (harder side) and Apologia (easier side). Dd#1 is using DIVE Biology this year but isn't liking it as much as the DIVE Physical Science. So we will be trying Shepherd Science Biology on its own for dd#2 next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 There is a syllabus for Shepherd Science here. The Author recommends BJU textbook but has a syllabus for many different books (most out there I believe) Is this not as rigorous? I see alot of people will be using this with non-sciency (ummm, its a word because I used it ;)) I was debating on using this with my dd in 10th who wants to become a Vet along with DIVE. Would this not be as rigorous as, say, BJU or another program? Thanks for the link. I don't really know if it's as rigorous or not. Ds is struggling with Apologia Physical Science right now, so I just want to change things up a bit for him next year. I may return to Apologia in later grades. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Is this not as rigorous? I see alot of people will be using this with non-sciency (ummm, its a word because I used it ;)) I was debating on using this with my dd in 10th who wants to become a Vet along with DIVE. Would this not be as rigorous as, say, BJU or another program? I guess that is what I was trying to say - that it doesn't look like a non-rigorous choice. My oldest is VERY sciency and did BJU Life Science in 7th (yet he would have been in 6th then) and Physical in 8th (7th). This looks pretty rigorous to me. I like that it is more colorful than Apologia, but maybe not quite as rigorous as BJU. I liked that it has some helps - the lab DVD, etc. and I like the author's take on things. It is hefty! I also like that it has the anatomy in it and it's not a separate course. I was the one considering using DIVE just to have the lecture part and all, but I don't think it is necessary and will use it by itself - although, very glad to hear they are working on a teaching DVD also. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I'm considering this for my non-sciency 14yo for 9th grade. He will be about half-way through algebra when he starts it. So, those of you have used it with your kids, what did you think of it? A friend started off using it this yr w/her 9th grader and told me that it was too difficult for her and she had to drop it and switch to Apologia. FWIW, I am planning on using it next yr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hmmm--Would you use this instead of the Life Science course if your kiddo was science-y? I was thinking of the LS instead of the Bio as the catty says Bio is high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 A friend started off using it this yr w/her 9th grader and told me that it was too difficult for her and she had to drop it and switch to Apologia. FWIW, I am planning on using it next yr. Do you know what her dc found difficult? Did Apologia work better? Did she have all the components (dvd's)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Hmmm--Would you use this instead of the Life Science course if your kiddo was science-y? I was thinking of the LS instead of the Bio as the catty says Bio is high school. I was under the impression that LS was middle school. I didn't think I could give high school credit for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tani Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 We loved it. We started out with Apologia but quickly switched to SS. It is tougher than Apologia but much more logically laid out, IMHO. I used all the helps and our year went great. The way this author writes and explains was much more clear to dd and myself. HTH Tani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tani Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 We loved it. We started out with Apologia but quickly switched to SS. It is tougher than Apologia but much more logically laid out, IMHO. I used all the helps and our year went great. The way this author writes and explains was much more clear to dd and myself. HTH Tani I am going to use it next year with ds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 We loved it. We started out with Apologia but quickly switched to SS. It is tougher than Apologia but much more logically laid out, IMHO. I used all the helps and our year went great. The way this author writes and explains was much more clear to dd and myself. HTH Tani I am going to use it next year with ds. Thanks so much. This is good to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 One person I talked to said she would place Shepherd Science between BJU (harder side) and Apologia (easier side). Dd#1 is using DIVE Biology this year but isn't liking it as much as the DIVE Physical Science. So we will be trying Shepherd Science Biology on its own for dd#2 next year. What did you not like about the DIVE Biology?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 We started our year with it. It is very advanced and moves quickly. We ended up having to change about five weeks in. FWIW, my son is science oriented, although he leans to the physical sciences. He is taking Algebra I this year as as 9th grader. Math doesn't impact biology, but it does impact chemistry and physics. Let me know if you need more information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 What did you not like about the DIVE Biology?? I need to ask her as I cannot remember. I will post back after I do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 What did you not like about the DIVE Biology?? Dd16 says the labs don't seem as clear as with the Physical Science. The other thing that bothers her is that during the lecture he uses two different formats - one lecture he uses a chalkboard and another lecture he will use a tablet. She said it is probably just a personal preference that the switching back and forth bothers her. She doesn't really care for biology overall except to read about it so that plays a part too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 What did you switch to? And how is it working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 What did you switch to? And how is it working? She is sticking it out with DIVE. We will be using Shepherd Science with dd#2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mindyzak Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 We used Sheperd's Life Science this year and it was wonderful - succinct and clear. We supplemented with our own labs. I will certainly use Shepherd's Biology when it comes time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violinmom Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 My dd did this last year. She enjoyed the 2nd half more than the first. It has proven to be much more thorough and in-depth than the local cc Biology class. She was well prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 What did you switch to? And how is it working? We are doing some science unit studies for a General Science w/Lab credit. Next year we will do Abekka Biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaTotaler Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I had dh accompany me to the Cincy convention last year to specifically look at Shepherd Science - he's the scientist in the family :001_smile: We talked to the author and looked at the materials and decided that we would use it for ds. I did not purchase it because we didn't need it right away and it was still fairly new. I wanted to read reviews/feedback from others before plunking down the $$. It is still on my list but we decided to go with Physics for next year in 9th. We will revisit it as an option when ds does Bio. I'm considering this for my non-sciency 14yo for 9th grade. He will be about half-way through algebra when he starts it. So, those of you have used it with your kids, what did you think of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbin Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 We are using Shepherd's biology this year and we absolutely love it! Wyle's book would be easier if you want easy. Your student should enjoy reading as the prose style is very entertaining but not for everyone. The additional anatomy at the end makes it easily an Honors course. There are 20 labs. 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.