7th grader in 9th grade science?

[Janeway]

I hope we are allowed to cross post, but here goes.....

 

 

Older child is going in to 9th grade. He has little to no interest in science. He is advanced in math. He plans to major in computer science. I have biology planned for him for 9th grade. I have not picked the program yet, but am leaning toward ck12.org. Younger child really loves science and is always reading science oriented books and telling me about it. He is above average in math, but I would not say really advanced. He will be in algebra in 8th grade. 

 

Would it be bad to do 9th grade science with both of them together?

 

[OneStepAtATime]

Would it upset the older child if the younger really took off with the subject and the older really didn't (because of lack of interest)?  Would it upset the younger child if they had to repeat Biology in a couple of years (you could use a different program, though)?  Do they get along?

[SilverMoon]

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Edited May 23, 2023 by SilverMoon

[Dmmetler]

Why not? You can always do an advanced bio course later as "high school" biology. There's a LOT of biology once you pass the basics, and a lot of it is more fun than general biology :).

[Punks in Ontario]

Being ready for the actual science and being ready for the workload of a high school course are two different things. I'd think long and hard about the latter. Or decide how you can tailor the course to lighten the workload for the younger one.

 

:iagree:   High school level courses not only have a greater level of material, but the material comes faster and is expected to be learned in more detail.  I've had one child do a course 2 years in advance and the workload was more difficult to deal with than the material.  We slowed it down for this guy.

 

Currently I have ds13 in a grade 9 BJU science (he's a young grade 8 and would be grade 7 in many states).  It's been challenging and I have to work with him some to keep him from becoming frustrated.  He does love science which is the only reason I would allow this.

 

I can't help you as far as putting the two in the same course. 

 

Best of luck.

[Staceyshoe]

We've done unusual placements with both of our kids when it was the best fit for that particular child.  Actually, they have been some of the best educational decisions we've made.  The beauty of homeschooling is being able to customize for the uniqueness of your children.  If your younger child is very motivated, then it seems like it might be ideal.  And it sounds like you might get the added bonus of a simplifying life a bit since they can be combined.  Go for it!  Very worst case scenario?  You realize early on that it was a mistake and choose another course.  (Because, if it is a big mis-match for the child, that will be painfully obvious very early---leaving you plenty of time to do something different.)