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So... :D

 

I did the same thing for high school bio that I did for chem. Remember, though, that I'm not a high school specialist in Bio so my judgments on whether something is reg or honours could be off - please feel free to correct me if you disagree with something I've posted! :) I didn't include a category for "Math background needed" for most of the bio curricula (except for AP). I don't find that a certain level of math is required for most high school biology courses beyond just basic alg skills (working with simple equations, fractions, decimals, possibly scientific notation, etc.). A student may run across the concept of pH but is usually not required to calculate it. If a course is VERY rigorous, a student may have to do calculations regarding buffer systems but even that only requires knowledge of quadratic equations and the quadratic formula (and probably only shows up in AP Bio, if I remember correctly). They could also just memorize the Henderson-Hasselbach equation and just use that. :) Before taking honours bio, a first course in chem would probably be useful to the student

 

Again, also, I know I've missed a ton of resources. Please chime in with anything that I've missed or post your reviews or thoughts on any of the curricula. I'll take up the first five posts of this thread - post #2 should be for Reg Bio, post #3 should be for Honours Bio, post #4 should be for AP Bio, and post #5 for other resources.

 

(You may notice these lists look veeeeerrrrrrrrry similar to my chem lists. :) Most of the companies selling homeschool high school chem courses also sell bio courses. I used my chem lists to create the bio lists and then just tweaked, added, or removed info as necessary. Because chemists are lazy. Uh huh. :D)

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Regular Biology

Name: Biology Power Basics
Publisher: Walch Publishing
Where to buy:
http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2737
Level: Basic Reg Bio (almost Junior High level)
Type: Worktext
Additional Materials: Student workbook and tests
Teacher Resources: Teacher's Guide, Answer key for text, answer keys for tests
Lesson Plans: No
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Very basic ones
Lab kit available: No
Comments: From Rainbow Resource description: "Targeting a student audience that is typically daunted by the length and complexity of traditional textbooks, this series provides the essentials of a junior or senior high curriculum (on-level content) with below-level readability (4th grade)."

Name: Fascinating Biology
Publisher: Fascinating Education
Where to buy:
http://fascinatinged...bership_signup/
Take a peek:
http://fascinatinged...nating-biology/
Level: Basic Reg Bio
Type: Online provider
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: No
Lab kit available: No
 

Name: WTM Academy Introduction to Biology (with optional lab)
Publisher: Well Trained Mind Academy using Holt Biology 2006 ed by Johnson & Raven
Where to buy:
http://www.wtmacademy.com/courses/classes/biology/
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Online course
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes - see lab syllabus below

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8m8fGTAxz8SX29XVlNsZUdlanc/view?usp=sharing

Link to recommended lab materials document:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8m8fGTAxz8SZDFjVkdtVllNS1NHc3dBX3BiT1VLQkdxR1JF/view?usp=sharing

Comments: Link to course syllabus:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8m8fGTAxz8STFhTTk1IS3c2cDA/view?usp=sharing

 

Name: Biology Matters
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Education (Singapore)
Where to buy: No longer in print - might be able to find it used
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: Workbook (includes tests), Practical (Lab) Book
Teacher Resources: Teacher's Edition for Workbook
Lesson Plans: No
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: No

Name: Exploring Creation with Biology
Publisher: Apologia
Where to buy:
http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2705
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: CD-ROM with extras (animations, etc.), tests, instructional DVD
Teacher Resources: Answer key to text, answer key to tests
Lesson Plans: Included
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.hometrain...it/p/AM-KTMICR/
http://www.hometrain...it/p/AM-KTDISS/
http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2705
http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2705
http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2705

Name: LIFEPAC Grade 10 Biology
Publisher: Alpha Omega
Where to buy:
https://www.aophomes...de/biology.html
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Worktext
Additional Materials: Tests and labs included
Teacher Resources: Teacher's Guide
Lesson Plans: Included
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.hometrain...t/p/AO-KIT1000/

Name: Switched On Schoolhouse Biology (Grade 10)
Publisher: Alpha Omega
Where to buy:
https://www.aophomes...12sos1000s-3949
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Computer based CD-ROM
Additional Materials: Tests and labs included
Teacher Resources: Student-directed
Lesson Plans: Student-directed
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.hometrain...t/p/AO-KITSS10/

Name: Monarch Biology (Grade 10)
Publisher: Alpha Omega
Where to buy:
https://www.aophomes...t/mon1000s-5378
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Online
Additional Materials: Tests and labs included
Teacher Resources: Student-directed
Lesson Plans: Student-directed
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.hometrain...t/p/AO-KITSS10/

Name: Biology: God's Living Creation
Publisher: A Beka Book
Where to buy:
http://www.abeka.com....aspx?sbn=92878
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: Lab and field manual, quizzes, tests, lab demonstration DVD
Teacher Resources: Teacher's guide, answer keys for quizzes and tests, teacher's edition for lab manual
Lesson Plans: Included
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.hometrain...kit/p/AB-KIT10/

Name: Christian Light Education Biology (Grade 10)
Publisher: Christian Light Publications
Where to buy:
http://www.clp.org/store/by_course/68
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Worktext/Units
Additional Materials: None
Teacher Resources: Answer keys
Lesson Plans: Included
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.hometrain...kit/p/CL-KIT10/

Name: Biology PACEs
Publisher: ACE Ministries / School of Tomorrow
Where to buy: http://www.christian...RN&view=details
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Worktext
Additional Materials: DVDs and Lab DVDs
Teacher Resources: Answer keys
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes but only video labs
Lab kit available: N/A
Comments: See Cathy Duffy's site for a longer review:
http://cathyduffyrev...biology-sot.htm

Name: The Potter's School Biology (enrollment only)
Publisher: The Potter's School course using Apologia's Exploring Creation with Biology
Where to buy:
http://www.potterssc...ster-and-enroll
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Online provider
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: No but website states that most experiments can be done with household items - four dissection specimens are required for the optional dissections (more information probably available once the student is signed up for the course)

Name: CK-12 Flexbook
Publisher: CK-12
Where to buy: FREE!!!!
Main Bio page with all Bio options:
http://www.ck12.org/biology/
Bio flexbook:
http://www.ck12.org/book/Biology/
Level: Depends on which flexbook you choose
Type: Online textbook/flexbook
Additional Materials: Student workbook
http://www.ck12.org/...ology-Workbook/
Teacher Resources: Teacher's edition
http://www.ck12.org/...'s-Edition/
Lesson Plans: No
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes by correlating the text with the kit from The Home Scientist
http://www.thehomesc...correlation.pdf (links to a PDF)
Lab kit available: Yes (from The Home Scientist)
http://www.thehomesc...ml#Biology_Kits

Name: High School Biology in Your Home by Bridget Ardoin
Publisher: Science for High School
Where to buy:
http://www.sciencefo...-total-package/
Level: Reg Bio (possibly Honours Bio - there isn't enough of a sample for me to tell)
Type: Worktext-type where students must use other resources (texts, encyclopedia, online) to find answers to questions given in the manual - guided learning type of method
Additional Materials: Quizzes, end-of-semester exams
Teacher Resources: Parent manual with all answer keys
Lesson Plans: Included
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes
http://www.sciencefo...-tools-package/
http://www.sciencefo...ene-blue-stain/

Name: Kolbe Biology (uses Miller/Levine "Dragonfly" Biology text)
Publisher: Kolbe Academy
Where to buy:
http://books.kolbe.o...76-Biology.html
Level: Reg or Honours Bio (same course guide has schedules for both)
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: Workbook, virtual labs, tests, online resources
http://www.phschool....=9999&area=view or
http://millerandlevine.com/intro.html
Teacher Resources: Course plans, text key, workbook key, answer keys for tests
Lesson Plans: Yes
Secular/Christian: Christian (Catholic)
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: No

Name: Oak Meadow Environmental Science Course (uses Holt text)
Publisher: Holt with Oak Meadow course plan
Where to buy:
http://www.oakmeadow...kage-p2021.html
Level: Reg Biology option
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: No
Teacher Resources: Teacher manuals, syllabus
Lesson Plans: Yes
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: No
Lab kit available: No


Public School Texts For Reg Bio:

Name: Holt Biology
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Where to buy:
http://www.rainbowre...1d84776f73a8034
Level: Reg Bio
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: Virtual Lab CD-ROM
Teacher Resources: CD-ROM with chapter resources (worksheets, labs, tests)
Lesson Plans: Yes
http://saxonhomescho...igh_sch_sci.htm
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: No

Name: Holt Environmental Science
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Where to buy:
http://www.rainbowre...1&category=9277
Level: Reg Biology option
Type: Textbook
Additional Materials: Virtual Lab CD-ROM
Teacher Resources: CD-ROM with chapter resources (worksheets, labs, tests)
Lesson Plans: Yes
http://saxonhomescho...igh_sch_sci.htm
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: No

Biology by Miller & Levine (don't attempt entire book if using for Reg Bio)
Where to buy:
Dragonfly edition
Macaw edition
Website(s):
http://millerandlevine.com/
Lab kit correlation for The Home Scientist kit (*OPENS A PDF!)
Post from older thread where Handmaiden explains how to access the teacher materials online for free
Review(s):
From AP Central (Dragonfly edition)

Biology: Concepts and Connections by Campbell & Reece (don't attempt entire book if using for Reg Bio)
Where to buy:
6th edition from Amazon
7th edition from Amazon
Website(s):
6th edition companion site
7th edition companion site
Review(s):
From AP Central (4th ed)

Essential Biology by Campbell (don't attempt entire book if using for Reg Bio)
Where to buy:
5th edition Essential Biology from Amazon
4th edition Essential Biology with Physiology from Amazon
4th edition Essential Biology from Amazon
3rd edition Essential Biology with Physiology from Amazon
Website(s):
5th edition E.B. or 4th edition E.B. with Physiology companion site
4th edition E.B. or 3rd edition E.B. with Physiology companion site

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Honours Biology

 

Name: BJU Biology

Publisher: Bob Jones University

Where to buy:

http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2649

Level: Honours Bio

Type: Worktext

Additional Materials: Lab manual, tests

Teacher Resources: Teacher's edition text, answer keys for tests

Lesson Plans: Included

Secular/Christian: Christian

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: Yes

http://www.hometrain...kit/p/BJ-KIT10/

 

Name: DIVE Biology

Publisher: Digital Interactive Video Education

Where to buy:

http://www.diveintom...ogy-10th-grade/

Level: Honours Bio or AP Bio

Type: Instructional CD-ROM to be used along with a text (DIVE text, BJU, Apologia, A Beka, or others)

Additional Materials: Student Workbook

Teacher Resources: Video solutions on CD-ROM

Lesson Plans: Included

Secular/Christian: Christian

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: Yes

http://www.hometrain...t/p/KT-DIVBIOL/

 

Name: Kolbe Biology (uses Miller/Levine "Dragonfly" Biology text)

Publisher: Kolbe Academy

Where to buy:

http://books.kolbe.o...76-Biology.html

Level: Reg or Honours Bio (same course guide has schedules for both)

Type: Textbook

Additional Materials: Workbook, virtual labs, tests, online resources

http://www.phschool....=9999&area=view or

http://millerandlevine.com/intro.html

Teacher Resources: Course plans, text key, workbook key, answer keys for tests

Lesson Plans: Yes

Secular/Christian: Christian (Catholic)

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: No

 

Name: Oak Meadow Biology Course (uses Holt text)

Publisher: Holt with Oak Meadow course plan

Where to buy:

http://www.oakmeadow...kage-p1984.html

Level: Honours Bio

Type: Textbook

Additional Materials: Teacher resources

http://go.hrw.com/hr...lts?HX6 TEACHER

Student resources

http://go.hrw.com/hr...lts?HX6 STUDENT

http://www.classzone...htm?state=INTER (for the 2008 edition instead of the 2004 edition used by Oak Meadow but should still be useful)

Teacher Resources: Teacher manuals, syllabus

Lesson Plans: Yes

Secular/Christian: Secular

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: Yes

http://www.oakmeadow...-Kit-p1987.html

 

Name: The Potter's School Pre-AP Biology (enrollment only)

Publisher: The Potter's School course using Science Shepherd Biology

Where to buy:

http://www.potterssc...ster-and-enroll

Level: Honours Bio

Type: Online provider

Additional Materials: N/A

Teacher Resources: N/A

Lesson Plans: N/A

Secular/Christian: Christian

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: No but website states that most experiments can be done with household items

The following items would have to be purchased separately:

*Might Need to Purchase:

10 mL graduated cylinder

100 mL graduated cylinder

6 test tubes

Test tube rack

4 Ă¢â‚¬â€œ 1 mL disposable pipettes

Filter Paper (10 pack)

250 mL Beaker

Stethoscope (Home Science Tools - # BE-STETH)

*Optional Dissection Materials:

Preserved Frog (Extra Large if possible)

#22 scalpel

Dissecting scissors

Forceps

Pins

Dissecting Tray

 

Name: Exploring Creation with Marine Biology

Publisher: Apologia

Where to buy:

http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2711

Level: Advanced Biology option

Type: Textbook

Additional Materials: Tests

Teacher Resources: Answer key to text, answer key to tests

Lesson Plans: Included

Secular/Christian: Christian

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: Yes

http://www.hometrain...t/p/AM-KTMBDIS/

Prerequisite: First high school biology course

 

Name: The Human Body: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Publisher: Apologia

Where to buy:

http://www.rainbowre...1&category=2708

Level: Advanced Biology option

Type: Textbook

Additional Materials: Tests

Teacher Resources: Answer key to text, answer key to tests

Lesson Plans: Included

Secular/Christian: Christian

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: Yes

http://www.hometrain...t/p/AM-KTADMIC/

http://www.hometrain...t/p/AM-KTADDIS/

Prerequisite: First high school biology course

 

Name: Science Shepherd Biology

Publisher: Ohana Life Press

Where to buy: http://www.scienceshepherd.com/biology

Level: Honours Bio (possibly AP Bio if additional test prep materials were added)

Type: Textbook

Additional Materials: Yes - test booklet, lab manual, lab DVD, enhanced study question & answer DVD

Teacher Resources: Yes - answer key & parent companion

Lesson Plans: Included

Secular/Christian: Christian

Program includes labs: Yes

Lab kit available: Yes

http://www.rainbowre...003235b99e95860

http://www.rainbowre...003235b99e95860

http://www.rainbowre...a3be7f2c5e83c9e OR

http://www.rainbowre...a3be7f2c5e83c9e

 

Name: Thinkwell Biology

Publisher: Thinkwell

Where to buy:

http://www.thinkwell...roducts/biology

Level: Honours Bio+ (more than Honours Bio but not specifically geared towards the AP Bio Exam)

Type: Online provider

Additional Materials: N/A

Teacher Resources: N/A

Lesson Plans: N/A

Secular/Christian: Secular

Program includes labs: Yes BUT they seem to be video demonstrations and not hands-on labs

Lab kit available: No

Math background needed: Doesn't say but I would think Algebra 1 (and a first chem or bio course wouldn't hurt)

Name: Honors Biology
Provider: Blue Tent Online
Where to buy: www.bluetentonline.com/honors-biology
Level: Honors
Type: Online provider; asynchronous format using Moodle LMS
Additional Materials: course resources
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: yes: hands-on and virtual
Lab kit available: Yes

 

Public School Texts For Honours Bio:

 

Biology by Miller & Levine

Where to buy:

Dragonfly edition

Macaw edition

Website(s):

http://millerandlevine.com/

Lab kit correlation for The Home Scientist kit (*OPENS A PDF!)

Post from older thread where Handmaiden explains how to access the teacher materials online for free

Review(s):

From AP Central (Dragonfly edition)

 

Biology: Concepts and Connections by Campbell & Reece

Where to buy:

6th edition from Amazon

7th edition from Amazon

Website(s):

6th edition companion site

7th edition companion site

Review(s):

From AP Central (4th ed)

 

Essential Biology by Campbell

Where to buy:

5th edition Essential Biology from Amazon

4th edition Essential Biology with Physiology from Amazon

4th edition Essential Biology from Amazon

3rd edition Essential Biology with Physiology from Amazon

Website(s):

5th edition E.B. or 4th edition E.B. with Physiology companion site

4th edition E.B. or 3rd edition E.B. with Physiology companion site

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AP Biology

 

NOTE: You CANNOT label your student's biology course as Ă¢â‚¬Å“AP BiologyĂ¢â‚¬ on his/her transcript unless he/she is taking it from a provider with a College Board approved syllabus or you have had your own personal homeschool course approved by the College Board. The College Board website has more information on this process.

AP Biology:  http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2117.html

ALSO NOTE: I can't guarantee that the providers listed below will have kept their courses up to date. Please check with whichever provider you are considering to ensure that your student is receiving proper instruction.

 

Name: Oak Meadow AP Biology (enrollment only)
Publisher: Uses Thinkwell AP Biology software
Where to buy:
http://www.oakmeadow...ool-science.php (scroll down to see description)
http://www.oakmeadow...ces/catalog.php (catalogs and price sheets)
Level: AP Bio
Type: Online provider
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: Yes - uses the Aventa Bio lab kit (made available to purchase after enrollment)
Background needed: Qualifying math score, completion of Algebra I and high school biology

Name: PA Homeschoolers Online AP Biology (enrollment only)
Publisher: Uses Biology by Campbell and Reece with Mastering Biology (Eighth or Ninth Edition)
Where to buy:
http://www.aphomesch...l?class=biology
Level: AP Bio
Type: Online provider
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes
Lab kit available: No but the course description mentions lab materials to purchase (the student is probably told what to purchase once he/she is signed up for the course)
Background needed: First chem course and Algebra 1 (a first bio course is also strongly recommended)

Name: The Potter's School AP Biology (enrollment only) *Starting in 2015-2016
Publisher: Not yet available
Where to buy:
http://www.potterssc...ster-and-enroll
Level: AP Bio
Type: Online provider
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Christian
Program includes labs: Not yet available
Lab kit available: Not yet available
Math background needed: First chem course, first bio course, and Algebra 1

Name: Thinkwell AP Biology
Publisher: Thinkwell
Where to buy:
http://www.thinkwell...ucts/ap-biology
Level: AP Bio
Type: Online provider
Additional Materials: N/A
Teacher Resources: N/A
Lesson Plans: N/A
Secular/Christian: Secular
Program includes labs: Yes BUT they seem to be video demonstrations and not hands-on labs
Lab kit available: No
Math background needed: Doesn't say but I would think Algebra 1 (and a first chem or bio course wouldn't hurt)


Texts used for AP Biology:
*Note: The AP Biology exam changed this year (2013). If you choose to buy older editions of these texts, be aware that they may not correspond well to the new Essential Knowledge statements for AP Bio. Here is a link to a PDF from the College Board that helps to correlate older editions of texts to the new course:
Textbook Correlations to the AP Biology Curriculum Framework
* Here is a link with some suggested AP Biology texts:
http://www.collegeboard.com/html/apcourseaudit/courses/biology_textbook_list.html

Campbell Biology by Reece et al
Where to buy:
9th edition from Amazon
Website(s):
9th edition companion site

Life: The Science of Biology by Sadava et al
Where to buy:
10th edition from Amazon

Principles of Life by Hillis & Sadava
Where to buy:
1st edition from Amazon
Sample chapters and description here:
http://www.whfreeman.com/catalog/static/whf/hillispreview/

Biology by Raven et al
Where to buy:
10th edition from Amazon

Biology: The Dynamic Science by Russell et al
Where to buy:
3rd edition from Amazon

Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life by Starr et al
Where to buy:
13th edition from Amazon

Biology by Mader & Windelspecht
Where to buy:
11th edition from Amazon

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Other resources

 

*K12 offers Core, Comprehensive, Honours, and AP Bio courses

http://www.k12.com/c...e-list/#science

 

*The Home Scientist sells a Honours Bio Lab kit with lab manual that can be correlated to many different bio programs (the lab manual is free to download even if you don't purchase the kit - see the link at the top of the following webpage):

http://www.thehomesc.../bk01-main.html

He also sells a simplified and less expensive version of the kit meant for Standard (or Regular) Biology.

Here are links to PDF correlation charts to correlate the kit to some of the more popular homeschool biology textbooks:

http://www.thehomesc...om/faq.html#Q03

 

*Quality Science Labs also sells a Biology lab kit that can be correlated to different science curricula.

Lab kit:

http://www.qualitysc...m/biology-labs/

Curricula Co-ordination:

http://www.qualitysc...la-coordination (scroll down for biology)

 

*HippoCampus has videos for Biology from Khan Academy and from the NROC Collection as well as simulations from the PhET Collection:

http://www.hippocamp...oCampus/Biology

 

*Labpaq (Hands On Learning) offers biology lab kits for sale:

https://www.holscien...ection/products (click on "Biology" on the left-hand side of the page)

You can fill out the form at the following link for more information:

https://www.holscien...est-information

 

*The Great Courses has a multitude of biology related courses:

Biology: The Science of Life

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1500

Understanding the Human Body: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

http://www.thegreatc...il.aspx?cid=160

Understanding the Brain

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1580

Neuroscience of Everyday Life

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1540

Major Transitions in Evolution

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1518

Biology and Human Behavior: The Neurological Origins of Individuality, 2nd Edition

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1597

Science of Self

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1592

Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1533

Origins of Life

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1515

Shape of Nature

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1460

Theory of Evolution: A History of Controversy

http://www.thegreatc...il.aspx?cid=174

Earth at the Crossroads: Understanding the Ecology of a Changing Planet

http://www.thegreatc...l.aspx?cid=1720

There are many more - this is just a start. :)

 

*A homeschool mom (on this forum!) has done high school honours bio at home using Campbell's Biology: Concepts and Connections and made a website sharing her entire course. Here's the site:

https://sites.google...macleodbiology/

Here are the resources she used:

https://sites.google...ome/resources-3

Here are the weekly assignments:

https://sites.google...ved-assignments

Here are her tests:

https://sites.google...odbiology/files

Pretty awesome!

 

*Biology simulations from PhET:

http://phet.colorado...ategory/biology

 

*From Kareni:

I have no first hand experience with it, but this plan of study looks appealing to me:

High School Biology with Living Books by Jamie McMillin. The resources used are listed here.

 

*From Julie in MN:

Experiences in Biology is a solid lab program for Biology. There are a variety of labs to choose from, more than most families will need. There's a student lab manual plus the expectation of learning to "draw what you see" under the microscope etc.

I'm not sure the status of their company but I think you can still find it on CBD, and an ebook on the company website: http://www.homeschoo...biology-ebook-2

You used to be able to purchase a lab kit from Home Training Tools, but I think they've discontinued the order sheet, although they still have the supplies I'm sure and could possibly pull up the old order sheet they used to have on their website?

 

*From me from further down thread :):

From what I could find with a quick Google search, it looks to me like the Holt Modern Biology text is at a more advanced level than the Holt Biology text. The Mod Bio text seems to be entirely organized around evolutionary principles (which would make sense given its title) and covers biochemical processes in greater chemical detail (i.e. Calvin's Cycle which, in a reg bio course, would just be discussed as a general concept but in the Mod Bio book is looked at down to the chemistry that's taking place). I could be wrong, though - maybe someone who has first-hand experience with both books can chime in. :)

I did find these two resources for the Modern Biology text if anyone is interested:

Additional online resources for the text from the Holt website:

http://go.hrw.com/hr...eyword=HM2 HOME

The Study Guide for the text (hosted by a school, by the looks of it):

*WARNING! THIS LINK OPENS A PDF!*

http://schools.bvsd....Study Guide.pdf

 

*From JanetC:

A couple of resources for the "miscellaneous" section of your list:

lewelma suggested this site to me:

biologycorner.com --

The Worksheets by Topic section includes labs. The textbook reading guide is for Miller/Levine Dragonfly.

Lots to explore here for both regular Biology and AP level (She includes a link to her syllabus submitted to the College Board for AP approval, if anybody wants to jump through that hoop).

and from the Biology Corner site, I found a link to:

http://biodidac.bio.uottawa.ca/ -- an amazing database of black and white biology images for things like labeling exercises

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Dicentra, thank you for compiling this information. Do you know anything about Holt's Modern Biology? What is the difference between Holt's Biology and the Modern Biology text?

 

 

I don't own either one so I can't give a detailed comparison - sorry! :) From what I could find with a quick Google search, it looks to me like the Modern Biology text is at a more advanced level than the Biology text. The Mod Bio text seems to be entirely organized around evolutionary principles (which would make sense given its title) and covers biochemical processes in greater chemical detail (i.e. Calvin's Cycle which, in a reg bio course, would just be discussed as a general concept but in the Mod Bio book is looked at down to the chemistry that's taking place). I could be wrong, though - maybe someone who has first-hand experience with both books can chime in. :)

 

I did find these two resources for the Modern Biology text if anyone is interested:

 

Additional online resources for the text from the Holt website:

http://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?keyword=HM2%20HOME

 

The Study Guide for the text (hosted by a school, by the looks of it):

*WARNING! THIS LINK OPENS A PDF!*

http://schools.bvsd.org/p12/centaurus/Teachers/haddad/Shared%20Documents/Study%20Guide.pdf

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I don't own either one so I can't give a detailed comparison - sorry! :) From what I could find with a quick Google search, it looks to me like the Modern Biology text is at a more advanced level than the Biology text. The Mod Bio text seems to be entirely organized around evolutionary principles (which would make sense given its title) and covers biochemical processes in greater chemical detail (i.e. Calvin's Cycle which, in a reg bio course, would just be discussed as a general concept but in the Mod Bio book is looked at down to the chemistry that's taking place). I could be wrong, though - maybe someone who has first-hand experience with both books can chime in. :)

 

I did find these two resources for the Modern Biology text if anyone is interested:

 

Additional online resources for the text from the Holt website:

http://go.hrw.com/hr...eyword=HM2 HOME

 

The Study Guide for the text (hosted by a school, by the looks of it):

*WARNING! THIS LINK OPENS A PDF!*

http://schools.bvsd....Study Guide.pdf

Thank you again for your help with this. The above information is very helpful for this mom who is not science minded at all. The Modern Bio text is the one used in my dd's co-op class next year. I appreciate the links.

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Experiences in Biology is a solid lab program for Biology. There are a variety of labs to choose from, more than most families will need. There's a student lab manual plus the expectation of learning to "draw what you see" under the microscope etc.

 

I'm not sure the status of their company but I think you can still find it on CBD, and an ebook on the company website: http://www.homeschoolsciencepress.com/shop/biology-ebook-2

 

You used to be able to purchase a lab kit from Home Training Tools, but I think they've discontinued the order sheet, although they still have the supplies I'm sure and could possibly pull up the old order sheet they used to have on their website?

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Anyone have information on Singapore Biology? Would it be considered honors? Thanks.

 

Ashley

 

 

Do you mean Biology Matters? I have it listed above under Reg Bio. I have it here and have looked through it but haven't used it for a full course. I don't think I would consider it to be honours level but someone else might disagree. :)

 

I was also disappointed with the very, very limited coverage of evolution and evolutionary theory. This may not be a problem for some but it was for us.

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Any idea if Kolbe could be done secularly? It looks like they take a non-religious book and then add in some additional books on topics of special interest.

 

I remember a big site for one of the Miller Levine editions with links and tutorials that had been put together by one of the authors.

 

You might want to mention the different Campbell books. And I think there is biology in Hippocampus.

Eta here is Biology on Hippocampus. http://www.hippocampus.org/HippoCampus/Biology;jsessionid=BD529439DC1CA1640BFA2F010C6B6D23 It doesn't look like a full course is outlined in the sense of reading assignments, quizzes or labs. But if you click Textbook Correlations it will match chapter content with Khan Academy videos.

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Any idea if Kolbe could be done secularly? It looks like they take a non-religious book and then add in some additional books on topics of special interest.

 

I remember a big site for one of the Miller Levine editions with links and tutorials that had been put together by one of the authors.

 

You might want to mention the different Campbell books. And I think there is biology in Hippocampus.

Eta here is Biology on Hippocampus. http://www.hippocamp...BFA2F010C6B6D23 It doesn't look like a full course is outlined in the sense of reading assignments, quizzes or labs. But if you click Textbook Correlations it will match chapter content with Khan Academy videos.

 

 

I'm looking at it right now and I don't see why it couldn't be secularized. The schedule for each week is broken down into categories and the only place religious material is dealt with is in the "Biological Issues & Church Teaching" category and one would have to use extra materials to do that category (Humani Generis, Chance or Purpose?, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church). If we use this guide, I'll just skip that category each week. It doesn't seem as though the exams have any religious material on them either. Even the essay questions are all pure bio. Oh wait... In Exam 3, there are 5 multiple choice questions out of 40, 1 essay question for core students, and 1 essay question for honours students that deal with church issues (polygenism specifically) and the students have choice on the essay portion so they could choose other questions instead. That's it as far as I can tell.

 

Sebastian, is this the site you were thinking of?

http://www.millerand....com/intro.html

 

I know... :) I was thinking just yesterday that I needed to come back and add in the public school texts that homeschoolers tend to use most. Maybe this weekend. :)

 

I think I already had Hippocampus listed under the "Other Resources" post but thanks for the reminder. Stuff does tend to get lost in long lists. :D

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've added the public school texts. :) I listed them at the end of the posts dealing with Reg, Honours, or AP Bio depending on which level they belonged to. I didn't go into as much detail as the other entries - sorry! I also didn't list very many for Reg or Honours Bio. I know there are probably many different ones in use in the public schools but I just stuck with the ones that seemed to come up on the forum quite often. Please feel free to add to the thread with more resources, texts, or websites! :)

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  • 3 weeks later...

I just updated the "Other resources" with a few entries contributed by other posters so that everything is easy to find. :)

 

I've also just compiled everything into a PDF with hyperlinks so if anyone would like a copy, PM me and let me know.

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I just updated the "Other resources" with a few entries contributed by other posters so that everything is easy to find. :)

 

I've also just compiled everything into a PDF with hyperlinks so if anyone would like a copy, PM me and let me know.

 

I have just decided to worship you as the Goddes of Homeschool Science. :D

 

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I have just decided to worship you as the Goddes of Homeschool Science. :D

 

Zounds! :D Considering I'm agnostic who is leaning further and further towards atheism, I'm not sure how I feel about that! :D

 

Who knew my anal-retentive, obsessive, nerdy organizational talents could end up being useful? ;)

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A couple of resources for the "miscellaneous" section of your list:

 

lewelma suggested this site to me:

 

biologycorner.com --

 

The Worksheets by Topic section includes labs. The textbook reading guide is for Miller/Levine Dragonfly.

 

Lots to explore here for both regular Biology and AP level (She includes a link to her syllabus submitted to the College Board for AP approval, if anybody wants to jump through that hoop).

 

and from the Biology Corner site, I found a link to:

 

http://biodidac.bio.uottawa.ca/ -- an amazing database of black and white biology images for things like labeling exercises

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

 

Biology Matters?

 

I was also disappointed with the very, very limited coverage of evolution and evolutionary theory. This may not be a problem for some but it was for us.

 

 

Want to add that evolution is on the SAT subject test so that is one reason that some will need a thorough coverage of the topic...

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Would love to hear your opinion on why to not do the whole book for Miller and Levine? It is an on level book. Are you saying that there are too many topics? We are half way through with bio using that (started as course in a co-op). Seems like this book will take forever to get through.

 

Thanks.

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Too many topics - yes. :) I think when considering a text, the number of topics covered and whether it's on level/above/below are sort of two different aspects to look at. One can have an on level text (meaning the difficulty of the text is on level) but it still covers too many topics to be easily worked through in a single year. One could also have a more rigorous text (higher difficulty level) that actually covers less topics than the on level text. KWIM? :) I think Miller & Levine is a good high school level text - not too difficult but still well written - but it does cover A LOT of topics. My plan is to use the Kolbe syllabus (minus the religious parts) for dd for her first go-round for bio in Grade 8 (she'll do AP Bio in a few years - probably with the Campbell text). The Kolbe syllabus uses Miller & Levine (the Dragonfly book) and has two different schedules that could be followed - either a Reg Bio schedule or an Hon Bio schedule. Here's a link to a sample of the syllabus:

http://www.kolbe.org/documents/science/Biology9thGradeSample.pdf

If the student follows the Reg Bio schedule, they will skip chapters 6, 25, 27, 28, & 33. If a student follows the Hon Bio schedule, they will skip chapters 6, 25, 29, & 33.

 

Hope that's as clear as mud. :D I'm not a bio teacher so if others have a better or different answer, hopefully they'll jump in and correct me!

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It's not me - it's this place! :D This community has so many amazing people who are willing to freely and generously provide their knowledge, experience, wisdom, and advice. It's truly been a godsend for me. I just want to try and give a little back in return for all I've gotten and gleaned from my time here. :)

 

Plus, the more people I can suck into the chemistry vortex, the better for my evil plan of having chemists take over the world!!!!!!!!

 

Bwah, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaaaa...

 

Wait - did I say that out loud? Ah crud...

 

:leaving:

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It's not me - it's this place! :D This community has so many amazing people who are willing to freely and generously provide their knowledge, experience, wisdom, and advice. It's truly been a godsend for me. I just want to try and give a little back in return for all I've gotten and gleaned from my time here. :)

 

Plus, the more people I can suck into the chemistry vortex, the better for my evil plan of having chemists take over the world!!!!!!!!

 

Bwah, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaaaa...

 

Wait - did I say that out loud? Ah crud...

 

:leaving:

 

A big cheer here especially for the part in bold.

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Is the Apologia Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, an Anatomy and Physiology course, or do you list it as Advanced Biology? I want a A+P course.

 

This is what the Apologia website says:

This is our advanced biology course. Combined with Exploring Creation With Biology, it gives the student the equivalent of a university biology course. In other words, these two courses together cover the entire "advanced placement" (AP) curriculum. In order to take this course, the student MUST have completed a first-year biology course AND a first-year chemistry course. It covers both the anatomy and the physiology of the human bodyĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s 11 organ systems in detail.

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Maybe I am having a DUH moment. But, I still do not know how to list it then. Advanced Biology? AP Biology? If it is strict human anatomy and Phys. shouldn't it be listed on transcript as A+P? Can this be taken in 11th grade? My daughter is NOT a mathy person, she has NO interest in physics whatsoever. So we were going to do Apologia Bio,(9th), Chem(10th), and Apologia's A+P course(Or whatever it is called). No idea if she is going to college or not. If she does, it would be a community college.

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I'm not from the States so maybe someone with experience writing transcripts in the States can chime in. :)

 

I do know, though, that you can't list it as AP Biology unless you write in to the College Board, submit a syllabus for their approval, and have your syllabus audited and approved. You may be able to list is as Advanced Biology but, again, someone with more experience and knowledge with writing transcripts in the States would have a better idea.

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Is the Apologia Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, an Anatomy and Physiology course, or do you list it as Advanced Biology? I want a A+P course.

 

This is what the Apologia website says:

This is our advanced biology course. Combined with Exploring Creation With Biology, it gives the student the equivalent of a university biology course. In other words, these two courses together cover the entire "advanced placement" (AP) curriculum. In order to take this course, the student MUST have completed a first-year biology course AND a first-year chemistry course. It covers both the anatomy and the physiology of the human bodyĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s 11 organ systems in detail.

 

I've no personal experience with any Apologia course but based on the sentence in red above, I would call the course Anatomy and Physiology on a transcript.

 

Regards,

Kareni

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  • 2 weeks later...

Would love to hear your opinion on why to not do the whole book for Miller and Levine? It is an on level book. Are you saying that there are too many topics? We are half way through with bio using that (started as course in a co-op). Seems like this book will take forever to get through.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Chiming in late -- It may not be just too many topics. There's a lot of added content per topic between Macaw and Dragonfly. It's probably easier to do the whole book if you are using the older edition. (This is anecdotal evidence, so take it with a grain of salt, but Dragonfly was chosen by the moms at my co-op this year. They didn't feel they could do Macaw in a once-a-week setting.)

 

I've been reading a lot of high school bio websites to steal schedules and ideas: Miller & Levine is used for honors as well as regular biology. It's not AP level, but it is considered pre-AP by a lot of schools.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Chiming in late -- It may not be just too many topics. There's a lot of added content per topic between Macaw and Dragonfly. It's probably easier to do the whole book if you are using the older edition. (This is anecdotal evidence, so take it with a grain of salt, but Dragonfly was chosen by the moms at my co-op this year. They didn't feel they could do Macaw in a once-a-week setting.)

 

I've been reading a lot of high school bio websites to steal schedules and ideas: Miller & Levine is used for honors as well as regular biology. It's not AP level, but it is considered pre-AP by a lot of schools.

 

In addition to the amount of content, there are many, many activities that correspond to each lesson, especially if using the interactive features. Just this evening I was looking over the very first lesson, Lesson 1.1. In addition to just reading the lesson content and any discussion utilizing the information in the teacher's guide, there are 3 videos you can watch, at least 6 different activities, 2 different projects, 4 study guide pages, 2 vocabulary activities including flashcards and a crossword, and 2 different assessments. I may have even missed a few things. Obviously you can't do everything...but you feel like you want to because so many of the activities tie directly into the lesson content. I can easily see spending 2 weeks on each chapter, which would make it impossible to cover the entire book.

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  • 4 months later...
  • 1 month later...

When you get the chance, do you mind posting that Chemistry link?

 

Much appreciated!

Ă°Å¸Ëœâ€°

 

The chem thread is actually pinned at the top of the High School forum page:

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/453617-homeschool-high-school-chemistry/

 

I suppose some day I should do threads for physics and earth/space science and maybe math...  Ah - if only there were more hours in a day. ;)

 

(I just discovered when I Google "homeschool high school chemistry", the pinned chem thread is the first link that comes up.  That's cool!  Hope I helped to guide more internet traffic to this website and to SWB in general. :))

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Thank you for bumping this.  I never paid much attention to it when it was posted the first time, but next year my teens are doing biology for science and this thread is wonderful.  My planning is complicated because they have to complete certain outcomes outlined by the alberta gov't to get credits for grade 11 and grade 12 bio and the scope and sequence of most of these texts do not quite match up, but having everything listed and linked is helping me figure out what I want to use for the various concepts.  And for and elective science (environmental)

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The chem thread is actually pinned at the top of the High School forum page:

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/453617-homeschool-high-school-chemistry/

 

I suppose some day I should do threads for physics and earth/space science and maybe math...  Ah - if only there were more hours in a day. ;)

 

(I just discovered when I Google "homeschool high school chemistry", the pinned chem thread is the first link that comes up.  That's cool!  Hope I helped to guide more internet traffic to this website and to SWB in general. :))

 

Well hey as long as the physics one is up and running for fall 2016 it's all good ;)  That's when my kids will do their physics study if all goes according to plan

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