Science...let me ask from a different angle

[ProudGrandma]

I have been pouring over middle school science programs.

 

My son (going into 7th grade) has finished using the Apologia Elementary series.  He loved them.  The middle school books aren't as appealing to us, so I am looking at other options. 

 

We are Christian, so I would prefer a Christian series, but if not, at least one that doesn't teach evolution.

 

My son did much of the Apologia science on his own (I helped when he needed me to), and he likes that alot. So, I am looking for a program that mom is sort of "hands off" unless needed.

 

He has studied Chemistry and Physics (for his level) so something more like life science would be good....or astronomy.

 

He doesn't mind worksheets, puzzles etc. as long as there is not a TON of writing.   Some is ok...and even good.

 

I am considering "Behold and See Life Science", Real Science 4 Kids (although it looks a bit young for my son), Science Shepherd...but would totally be open to other options.

 

thanks.

[tmstranger]

I have been pouring over middle school science programs.

 

My son (going into 7th grade) has finished using the Apologia Elementary series.  He loved them.  The middle school books aren't as appealing to us, so I am looking at other options. 

 

We are Christian, so I would prefer a Christian series, but if not, at least one that doesn't teach evolution.

 

My son did much of the Apologia science on his own (I helped when he needed me to), and he likes that alot. So, I am looking for a program that mom is sort of "hands off" unless needed.

 

He has studied Chemistry and Physics (for his level) so something more like life science would be good....or astronomy.

 

He doesn't mind worksheets, puzzles etc. as long as there is not a TON of writing.   Some is ok...and even good.

 

I am considering "Behold and See Life Science", Real Science 4 Kids (although it looks a bit young for my son), Science Shepherd...but would totally be open to other options.

 

thanks.

 

I don't have much advice as I am also searching for a great 7th grade option.  However, I emailed Real Science 4 Kids and they told me that they are publishing a 7th grade Building Blocks set (I think it goes up to 6th now).  The 7th grade set should be out by the fall...I can't remember exactly when, though.

 

 

[ProudGrandma]

What is the Building Blocks set?  Tell me how that is different than what they already have for that age group?

 

Edited March 12, 2016 by NEprairiemom

[tmstranger]

What is the Building Blocks set?  Tell me how that is different than what they already have for that age group?

 

You can look at their younger grades to see the differences.  I haven't actually used RS4K, but they have Building Blocks or Focus On series.  Focus On concentrates on one topic in the book (Astronomy, Geology, Biology, etc.).  Building Block has units in each area and should last the full school year. 

[ProudGrandma]

Maybe you can answer another question for me...I went to Rainbow to compare pricing.  I noticed that on the RS4K website, the grade for the geography and the astronomy were very different (higher grades) than on Rainbow's site.  Why would that be?

[tmstranger]

Maybe you can answer another question for me...I went to Rainbow to compare pricing.  I noticed that on the RS4K website, the grade for the geography and the astronomy were very different (higher grades) than on Rainbow's site.  Why would that be?

 

I don't know, sorry. 

[cbollin]

Maybe you can answer another question for me...I went to Rainbow to compare pricing.  I noticed that on the RS4K website, the grade for the geography and the astronomy were very different (higher grades) than on Rainbow's site.  Why would that be?

 

If I recall correctly and am looking at the same items on RR, it's a matter of "which edition".  The ones on RR that says grades 4-6 and are in "limited availability" is the edition before it was called "focus on middle".  when rs4k went to version 2, they expanded a little bit on grade levels. I don't recall the details of first edition vs current.  But some changes happened in the middle school stuff.  It's just been a few years and I don't remember details and it's not on their site easy to find.

 

 Another product line to consider could be some of the science sets from Master Books.

http://www.masterbooks.com/homeschool-curriculum/subject-sets/science

 

They have some astronomy and other categories that are designed for 7th-9th.  You'll want to look at the samples of the PLP (parent lesson planner) to see the worksheets and such.  In my opinion it could be done independently by a student who is used to that.  Most of the courses (in that age group) are done over the whole year at 3 days a week.  They list it as half credit for those in high school 9th grade.

[TX Pilgrim]

You might want to look into Novare science for middle and high school students. The author is still writing the books but he taught at a Classical school for 15 years and couldn't find a text he liked so he started writing his own. Christian, but not young earth. He explains many of his science and Christian beliefs in his newsletters - if that is important to you. http://novarescienceandmath.com

 

I have also seen people use Joy Hakim's series for this age group. This book doesn't include labs and is more evolution based. http://www.joyhakim.com/events.htm

 

My kids aren't old enough yet but I was so excited to see Novare as an option for middle and high school science.

 

Missy

[Janeway]

I don't know, sorry. 

RS4Kids carries 3 levels. They offer the same books, for 3 different levels. 

[Holly]

We are using Christian Kids Explore.  There are coloring pages, experiments, memory work, and fairly short lessons.  You can add in some recommended books from the library for additional readings.  I did come across some old Earth comments in one of the recommended Magic Tree House books, which caught me off guard.

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

Rs4k recently updated their versions. RR is showing the previous versions.

 

For Life Science, it is good to have a working knowledge of cell structure before high school. We are doing RS4K next year in chemistry, and I like what I see. I thought it looked too easy, at first, maybe because of the font, but the definitions and explanations are good. I like having a text that breaks down complicated things in an easy way that isn't so textbooky.

 

But I already have Elemental Science Biology, so we will do that the following year in sixth grade. The Logic Stage biology in Elemental Science looks very meaty. There are resources for doing dissections, etc. When we have done it in the past, I skip the narration in ES as that is more of a WTM focus. We just do the definitions, lab write-ups and quizzes for writing. Elemental Science is neutral in matters of YE and evolution, but they encourage you to learn about these things on your own. The readings are mostly based out of encyclopedias.

 

A friend of mine really likes NOEO, and you might look into that. They have three levels of difficulty in three science subjects, one being biology. They share some similarities with ES, and I know they do scientific notebooks, etc. but perhaps with the three levels, it may better be at the difficulty level you are seeking.

[MerryAtHope]

My dd enjoyed the Tiner books in junior high.