AP Bio in 9th?

[Jamee]

After our meeting with the school counselor yesterday, I got to wondering just what the difference was between regular bio and AP (counselor couldn't tell us :cursing: ). She said the AP could be taken after regular bio, but then I wondered just how different it'd be and why not just take the AP.  In my experience, you don't take chem before AP Chemistry, or Physics before AP.  Is the AP class something a 9th grader with strong science sense could handle? 

[chiguirre]

The usual pre-req is one year of bio and one year of chem.

 

http://aphomeschoolers.com/cgi-bin/choose.pl?class=biology

[AFwife Claire]

I taught it last year (AP bio, I mean), and one boy was a 9th grader.  He is very bright, and I had also taught him his junior high science classes, so I knew what his preparation was.  He did fine on the exam, getting a 4 (only 5% got a 5 last year).  It was very challenging, and it took an inordinate amount of time (not just for him, but for everyone), but it certainly wasn't undoable.  

 

His preparation was BJU life science and physical science, and those did provide enough preparation for the class.

[Jamee]

Thanks.  

[Erica in OR]

In my experience, you don't take chem before AP Chemistry, or Physics before AP.

 

When I taught AP Chemistry, taking a year of chemistry was highly encouraged by myself and the counselor. There were a couple of students who attempted it, but as a first exposure to chemistry, it was too much information, too fast, to cover the curriculum needed to properly prepare for the test. It's designed to at least somewhat mimic a college-level course.

 

Erica in OR

[EndOfOrdinary]

The major difference between standard bio and AP is the level of biochemistry that is included in the AP class. That is the reason for the chem and bio pre requisites. If you have already had the basics covered, then connecting the two is less of a mind melt.

[TechWife]

Well, AP exams are supposed to be college level. So, do you think your ninth grader is capable of performing well in a college course? 

[stephinsocal]

I corresponded with the teacher at PA Homeschoolers about AP Bio, and she said students younger than 11th grade were having a tough time with the course requirements.  Of course, you know your kid best....

[Jamee]

Thanks for all the support with this.  I think we'll do regular bio for now and come back to the AP issue later.