The Governess Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 I am looking ahead to next year's science for dd11, currently a 6th grader. In the past, science has been a bit hit-or-miss around here. She has participated in very informal science classes at a classical school and a co-op. She has read a bit on various science topics. At home, we've done nature study and simple experiments here and there. She did take an online semester-long geology class at the end of 4th grade - this is the extent of any formal science education she has had, really. I'm mostly fine with that, but I feel that she is now at an age where I'd like her to be building her skills and knowledge more systematically. This year, she is taking a life science class which is textbook based; it's going well so far. I'm trying to figure out what I should follow this up with next year. I know that science is largely dependent on math skills. She is taking Algebra I this year (online class using the Foerster text) and doing well so far; she used AoPS for pre-algebra last year and has been breezing through this year's work, although it's all review for her at this point and I know that it's going to ramp up pretty soon here. But assuming she does well with Algebra this year, I am thinking that she may be ready for high school level science next year. I'm wondering if I should have her take a physical science class next year (which covers a bit of physics, chemistry, and earth science?), or if she could jump to an algebra-based physics class instead. Or.. another option would be to cover astronomy/earth science next year (since middle school seems to be a good time to cover this) and then skip to physics in 8th grade when she could take it concurrently with Algebra II. So, which option would you choose? And do you have any stellar classes to recommend? A) 7th - physical science, 8th - algebra-based physics B) 7th - earth science, 8th - algebra-based physics C) 7th - algebra-based physics, 8th - ? D) other? Background info: this dd does much better in a classroom setting (online or otherwise) where she has outside accountability/peers to compete with. So I definitely want to put her in a class. I vastly prefer secular materials for science, and don't want to use Apologia, which really cuts down the online options. Thanks!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 An algebra based physics course usually requires some (limited) amount of trigonometry. It is little enough that a student can learn it in one afternoon, but that works only if the student has some knowledge of triangle geometry. I would not recommend algebra based physics for a student who has just finished a regular algebra course. Quadratics should have been taught thoroughly, and for some topics in the second semester on electricity and magnetism, logarithms are needed. Both my kids are accelerated and took algebra based physics in 9th grade. Astronomy seems a better choice to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 An algebra based physics course usually requires some (limited) amount of trigonometry. It is little enough that a student can learn it in one afternoon, but that works only if the student has some knowledge of triangle geometry. I would not recommend algebra based physics for a student who has just finished a regular algebra course. Quadratics should have been taught thoroughly, and for some topics in the second semester on electricity and magnetism, logarithms are needed. Both my kids are accelerated and took algebra based physics in 9th grade. Astronomy seems a better choice to me. Thanks so much, this is very helpful. I frequently see the term "algebra-based" when describing science classes, but didn't know how advanced the algebra needed to be. Did your kids take it after algebra II, or after geometry and concurrently with algebra II? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 My 6th grader is doing algebra based physics over 6th and 7th grade. He is doing Clover Creek Physics (online) taught by a WTMer, local physics homeschool lab class using materials adapted from Six ideas that shape physics book N. He is also reading Giancoli's Principles with applications (algebra based) and Feynman's lectures on physics for fun. ETA: Kid is reading Feynman at his own pace and purely for leisure. He is definitely asynchronous. My hubby is a Feynman fan :lol: In case anyone else is a Feynman fan, we found this book at Barnes & Nobles and Link+/ILL has it. Exercises for the Feynman Lectures on Physics​ http://www.amazon.com/Exercises-Feynman-Lectures-Physics-Richard/dp/0465060714 This website too http://www.feynmanlectures.info/exercises.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 My 6th grader is doing algebra based physics over 6th and 7th grade. He is doing Clover Creek Physics (online) taught by a WTMer, local physics homeschool lab class using materials adapted from Six ideas that shape physics book N. He is also reading Giancoli's Principles with applications (algebra based) and Feynman's lectures on physics for fun. Thank you! I'm bookmarking the class, it looks like a great option for us. I have heard many good recommendations for the text they are using. And the other resources you linked look great too. May I ask what your son's math background is? Is the class working well for him as a younger student? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks so much, this is very helpful. I frequently see the term "algebra-based" when describing science classes, but didn't know how advanced the algebra needed to be. Did your kids take it after algebra II, or after geometry and concurrently with algebra II? My kids took it after covering the entire AoPS Intro to Algebra text (which is way more than a traditional algebra 1 class; it goes much deeper and covers topics usually not covered until algebra 2). They took it after having gotten a one semester head start on geometry (AoPS Intro to Geometry.). I taught them the necessary trigonometry in a single session. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 My 6th grader is doing algebra based physics over 6th and 7th grade. He is doing Clover Creek Physics (online) taught by a WTMer, local physics homeschool lab class using materials adapted from Six ideas that shape physics book N. He is also reading Giancoli's Principles with applications (algebra based) and Feynman's lectures on physics for fun. In all fairness, you should maybe point out that your DS is extremely advanced and that the Feynman Lectures are calculus based and definitely not "fun reading" for the average middle or even high schooler (or adult for that matter) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 In all fairness, you should maybe point out that your DS is extremely advanced and that the Feynman Lectures are calculus based and definitely not "fun reading" for the average middle or even high schooler (or adult for that matter) The OP was asking for her AL. He is reading Feynman at his own pace. I'll put an ETA to my original post just in case. (added ETA) May I ask what your son's math background is? Is the class working well for him as a younger student? My boy that is doing the clover creek physics class is finishing AoPS intro to geometry book and intermediate algebra books. He is doing the AoPS books concurrent over 5th and 6th grade. He did the definition and use of sine, cosine and tangent in K12 VA and revise with MEP Math trigonometry chapter. He had been attending classes as a younger student since he was in an online public charter four years ago so the age range has never bothered him. Academics wise I just expect best effort from him. He is also independent by nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 The OP was asking for her AL. He is reading Feynman at his own pace. I'll put an ETA to my original post just in case. (added ETA) My boy that is doing the clover creek physics class is finishing AoPS intro to geometry book and intermediate algebra books. He is doing the AoPS books concurrent over 5th and 6th grade. He did the definition and use of sine, cosine and tangent in K12 VA and revise with MEP Math trigonometry chapter. He had been attending classes as a younger student since he was in an online public charter four years ago so the age range has never bothered him. Academics wise I just expect best effort from him. He is also independent by nature. Thank you. It sounds like this class will be a great option for us in 8th grade, after we have gone through geometry and are starting Algebra II. The class info says that all you need is to have finished Algebra I, but I think it makes more sense to wait. Now I am looking into online earth science/astronomy classes for 7th. Unfortunately, there is less to choose from as compared to physical science/physics. :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Now I am looking into online earth science/astronomy classes for 7th. Unfortunately, there is less to choose from as compared to physical science/physics. :sad: For astronomy, the local astronomy clubs as well as the free classes at the state and national parks help a lot. Save us from having to buy our own high end telescopes. For earth science my kids just read and read and read the library dry as well as watch documentaries on PBS and BBC Earth (youtube and DVDs) I'll use the money budgeted for online earth science/astronomy classes on a hands-on class for chemistry and biology instead just because my kids enjoyed their dissections and chemistry experiments in their homeschool lab classes and they learn to work well with lab partners. Just my opinion. ETA: We do biology, chemistry and physics every year just because my kids want everything that lets them make a mess. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Making a list of astronomy/earth science classes I've found for my future reference (and for anyone else following this.....) CLRC - Astronomy class Kolbe - Earth Science class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 T is currently doing Chemistry at Landry Academy. She did the Pre-Chem class (which is the chem part of physical science) as an intensive class in May. I'm planning to enroll her in Pre-Physics this May and then do Conceptual Physics (using that book) next school year at Landry. Landry does have an opening prayer, but my experience is that if the textbook is secular, the class is basically secular too because they follow the textbook. Chemistry uses Spectrum Chemistry and there's been no religious content beyond the prayer. If you buy generic semesters in advance, you can get a year of tuition including the lab kit for about $150-$200. The textbook for Pre-Physics is the Tiner book published by Memoria Press so it's not secular but not as extreme as Apologia. Conceptual Physics is a public school text that's similar to the college survey text. T is currently doing AOPS Algebra 1 at WTM Academy, but we did an easy overview last year using Keys To and the EdX Intro to Algebra class so she has had algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 DD#1 is doing Derek Owen's Physics which is algebra-based. (It doesn't have a live class, so it wouldn't be one of your options.) She is doing geometry concurrently to his physics class. She is a middle-of-the-road kid who likes math & languages but hates science (as of right now). He introduces the trig they need as part of the class although she did some trig & some work with the quadratic formula in her algebra class last year. I'm tentatively planning on her taking the Landry Academy Chemistry class next year if it fits our schedule. 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.