7th Grade Science-Apologia's Land Animals?

[LadyLep]

Hi- I was thinking about doing this book this year with my (now) DS11 *6th, DS9 *3rd and DS6 *1st but since DS11 took a science class I did SL Sci 1 with the younger two and DS11 did physics. My tentative plan was Apologia's Astronomy with the younger 2 and finding a 7th grade science for DS11. But DS11 would really like to study Land Animals. Do you think it would be too easy or a mistake to have him do Land Animals alone or all together? Maybe someone has other Land Animal suggestions? The website states that it's best with 3rd-6th grades.

 

DS11 has done these for science:

1st - SL Sci 1 and Apologia's Astronomy (DS9 joined in where he could but he was only 3)

2nd-McWiz science (complete failure, DS9 was 4)

3rd-Zoology 1-flying creatures (DS9 was K, DS6 was 3)

4th-Botany (DS9 was 1st, DS6 was 4)

5th-Zoology 2- swimming creatures (DS9 was 2nd and DS6 was K, so they all enjoyed last year, but DS11 ended up doing the reading on his own half way through the year and we just did the experiments together

 

So this year I was planning

DS9&7 Astronomy, DS11 ?

 

Here is the long range order of science for 6th and under. But if I changed and did Land Animals for all the 3 older boys, would it be too easy for DS11 (soon to be DS12) and too hard for DS6 (who will be 7 in July)?

2014-2015- DS10&8 Land Animals

2015-2016- DS11&9 Human Anatomy

2016-2017- DS10&DS5 Flying Creatures, DS12 ?

2017-2018- DS11&DS6 Botany

 

Thanks in advance!

Allison

[AK_Mom4]

I looked at it because DD was interested. I think it's really too easy for a seventh grader - I think it is targeted for Upper Elementary.

 

The biggest problem for us was that it really isn't enough material for a full year course. We would be stretching it to make it last a semester.

 

Have you looked at the General Science? DD had quite a lot of fun with that one this year.

[fourcatmom]

I did it as a supplement (not our regular science program) for my 6th grader (12 yo) and she really enjoyed it. We really just worked through it slowly and at her pace. She has learned a lot and wants to continue with Zoology in some way. We did not do the notebook, she really wasn't interested in that so we saved it for my other dd. She did map out each animal and took the test and did a lot of reading.

[LadyLep]

Michele- What did you use as your spine for science?

 

Akmom4- I have not heard good things about Gen. Science., do you think that Land Animals would be good for 3rd and 5th? (that is if I wait a year and do it with the middle two boys.

[LisaKinVA]

I use Apologia (2 per year) for grades 3 (Astronomy & Botany), 4(Zoology 1 & 2), and 5(Zoology 3 and Human Anatomy), 6th grade we are doing Physical Science (Abeka as a spine, with experiment DVD and some other supplementation for space/astronomy), then we use Abeka's Biology (we use it as a Life Science) in 7th, and next I have Real Science 4 Kids Middle School Chemistry (haven't done it yet, but I expect there will be supplements from Khan Academy and/or Bozeman Science). We start high school with Physics (planning BJU Physics with DVDs).

 

An alternate scenario for me would be doing a history of science course (using Hakim's Story of Science), and then following that with Physical Science, Biology, and starting Physics in 9th then Chemistry than Advanced Biology with Human Anatomy. It really depends upon the child. As an FYI, while Abeka's science courses are "high school level," I find the reading content to be "above average" for a middle school course, and the lab activities (DVD), questions, testing, etc. to be more at a middle-school/transition level.

 

The reason I'm not doing a "general science" course is because it really just hits the highlights of too many subjects. I prefer to start digging in a bit more...and Physical Science (following all of the Life Sciences that Apologia offers), seems to be the right "fit."

[fourcatmom]

Michele- What did you use as your spine for science?

 

Akmom4- I have not heard good things about Gen. Science., do you think that Land Animals would be good for 3rd and 5th? (that is if I wait a year and do it with the middle two boys.

 

 

Sorry it took so long to post back...I have actually used several spines this year. Both my kids are working through RSO Chemistry and Apologia's Anatomy. Then individually they are working on Zoology (Sea 5th - Land 6th). We only found these books last year otherwise I would have started them earlier. I think they have been good fits for my kids but they do it independently as well. They didn't start at book 1, again would have if they were younger but picked the book that interested them the most.

 

Next year I am going to do some kind of mammal anatomy for my 7th grader and Equine Science for my 6th grader. I really have LOVED the zoology books and wish I had been able to work more of them in earlier. I have really enjoyed the anatomy book and my plan was to spread it over 2 years with Health. I picked now since I though they were at the ages, as girls when they would most benefit from a Health and Anatomy study. So, we will continue with this book next year and add in some Sonlight Health books. Chemistry we should finish this summer.