Campbell's Biology?

[PinkTulip]

I have 4 boys who are all very science-minded and would eventually like to end up in some type of science-related field (medicine, dentistry, etc.) I've done a lot of research on past threads of these boards and decided that Campbell's Biology is the route we'll take.

 

Here's my question: at what age could you start Campbell's Exploring Life? Is this generally considered a Jr. High age text, or early high school? I'm pretty sure that we'll eventually try Campbell's Biology, and am trying to move backward from there.

 

Thanks! Let me just say, too, how much I appreciate all of the wisdom and insight I have learned from frequenting these boards. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with those of us who aren't quite as far along on the homeschool path as you are!

[Michelle in AL]

My dd will be using Biology Concepts & Connections for 9th grade. I believe Exploring Life is meant for high school and Concepts & Connections for non science college majors.

 

I'm reading through some of the more difficult chapters now in Concepts & Connections (cell chemistry & evolution) and they're very doable for a well prepared high school student.

 

One of my girls used Glencoe's Life Science in middle school and one used BJU's Life Science (this wouldn't prepare one so well for evolution though~we supplemented).

 

Real Science for Kids Chemistry Level 2 was an excellent prep for cellular chemistry. I'm so glad we did this as I believe it gives a really good base for chemistry & biology.

[PinkTulip]

We are working through Real Science 4 Kids Level I now, and will move to Level II Chemistry. I'm just looking ahead to figure out what to do from there. Thanks for your reply!

[CoffeeBean]

Concepts and Connections is what our public school uses for 9-10 grade accelerated Bology. Biology is the book for AP bio. CC is definetely doable in 9th grade. I love these books.

 

CoffeeBean

[Beth in SW WA]

DS 13 will use EL next year for 8th as a Bio intro (no labs, just reading, workbook and tests). It will not count for hs credit, so we're doing it casually. I'll add either the Thinkwell Bio or TC Bio dvd's when we hit high school.

 

Have you seen EL? Its a colorful text w/ a cd-rom supplement...(which I am still tracking down)

 

I sure hope I don't kick myself for not doing Physical in 8th, but that is a different subject :)

[Bula Mama]

Have just googled this but am finding some confusing information. What is the best place to purchase Exploring Life and what is needed to make this a high school course?

 

Thanks for any info.!

[April in CA]

Hello Heather,

Like Beth, I am planning to use Biology: Exploring Life this fall with my 9th grade son. This is already a high school course, so you don't need to add anything to it. I spoke with the product specialist at Pearson/Prentice Hall who said that doing the labs at home would be challenging unless you have specialized equipment, thus, she did not reccomend getting the lab manual. However, I have a nice microscope and have collected som lab equipment, so I think I will probable get the lab manual and see what we can do at home. I may substitute some labs from Castle Heights biology lab manual, and I may sub some labs from Apologia, since I have that already. The product specialist also said that homeschoolers often use the chapter assessments as tests rather than springing for the test bank. One of my goals is to get my son ready to take the SAT II bio test next June. I think we can do it. I don't actually have the books in my hands yet, so perhaps Beth can answer any particular questions you have about the layout or contents of the book. Hope this helps!

Blessings,

April

[Bev in B'ville]

My dd was in the 9th grade using this textbook with very little prior biology experience. We used Rainbow Science the previous year and that was the only biology she was exposed to.

 

She took the AP Biology exam and made a 4 (yippee) and the SAT-Biology(E) exam and made a 750.

 

Can I just say I love this book!

 

HTH.

Bev