ereks mom Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 (edited) For those who don't 'know' me... I have 5 teen & preteen girls (ages, 11-17), all working at about 7th grade level. None of these girls is my own child; they are children of friends and friends-of-friends. Most came to me because they are struggling learners who could not keep up in PS. Only the youngest is likely to go to college, although the others will likely attend vocational-technical school. I want to do middle school level integrated chemistry and physics. Here are our absolutely must-have requirements for a science program: a lab component with a lab supply kit available for purchase at Home Science Tools or a similar company (I do NOT have time to put a kit together myself.) chapter or unit tests accompanying notebooking & lapbooking resources NOT computer-based, although some videos to view during class time would be good affordable preferably Christian, but will consider secular Here are some of the programs I've looked at: Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry & Physics -- This is the current front-runner. I am somewhat concerned that although it will be perfect as far as difficulty, it will seem a little too juvenile for my oldest students. Also, there are not really tests, but there are What Do You Remember? pages. ACS Middle School Chemistry -- It's chemistry only (no physics :(), and I didn't see any quizzes or tests. Also, I would have to search out suppliers in order to put together a lab kit. Focus on Middle School Chemistry, Physics -- PRICEY, and I read less-than-glowing reviews about missing topics (states of matter, electron shells, etc). Ellen McHenry's Elements -- No tests & no physics :( Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (PAC) Integrated Physics and Chemistry -- No labs :( (And it looks a little dry--and maybe even too 'lite' to me. :ohmy:) Rainbow Science -- I tried to use it several years ago with my own child & abandoned it after a couple of chapters. I decided to consider it again for my current students, but I'm not excited about the prospect. :p CPO Physical Science -- Lab kit is WAY, WAY too pricey, but the alternative is to put a kit together myself. Exploration Education Physical Science -- computer (CD) based Conceptual Physical Science: Explorations -- far too difficult for my students God's Design for Science -- I used it a few years ago and was NOT impressed. Also, I would have to put together a lab kit. I'm listening! :bigear: Thanks. Edited June 18, 2016 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loesje22000 Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Would these work? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Chemistry-Cambridge-IGCSE%C2%AE-CD-ROM/dp/0199138788/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466232067&sr=8-2&keywords=IGCSE+Complete+chemistry https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Physics-Cambridge-IGCSE%C2%AE-CD-ROM/dp/019913877X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1466232125&sr=8-3&keywords=IGCSE+Complete+Physics The CD in the teacherbook has tests + answers + worksheets + practicums (labs), you can print them as often as need, no lab manual or workbook costs. The teacherbook has also the answers on the questions in the studentbook. We do not the extended questions, but you might consider that for the one who want to college if she would choose a science field. IGCSE is aimed for older then grade 7, but the information might be accessible. IGCSE books have several editions and I don't like them all equally. Some have the text in one column, others in 2. I let dd pick the edition to what made sense to here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 (edited) How about Abeka's 9th grade physical science, Matter and Energy. Physical science is very frequently done in 8th grade (and then Biology in 9th), so this might be a great fit for your wide age spread. Abeka includes: textbook and kit options, plus optional other materials of: teacher book, answer key, digital teaching aids, test book and test key, quiz book and quiz key, lab manual, teacher lab manual, and a science project guide. Homeschool Classifieds has several up for sale now. The supply kit to go with Abeka is VERY pricey. You might be able to cut back by substituting for the Abeka labs with several TOPS units and accompanying supply kits -- read through the Abeka lab manual table of contents to see what kinds of labs they cover and roughly match that. If you go with the TOPS units, you might be able to skip purchasing the Abeka lab manual, teacher lab manual, and science project guide... - Chemistry: Analysis, Solutions, and possibly Cohesion and Adhesion; Oxidation - Physics: (Motion, Heat, Electricity, and possibly Pendulums, Floating and Sinking, Magnetism NOTE: AVOID Light, Sound, Pressure, and Kinetic Model -- these had a fairly high "fail rate" for us. ALSO NOTE: while the TOPS supply kits provide the majority of items, you will still need to find/gather/purchase a handful of more common household items for each kit. An option for a supply kit/lab for simple machines (levers, pulleys, etc.), might be the K'NEX Intro to Levers and Pulleys. There is also a Gears kit and a Wheels/Axels/Inclined Planes kit. One other option might be Alpha Omega's grade 8 General Science 2 -- 10 units with 6 units covering physics topics: science and society; structure of matter (pt. 1 & 2); health & nutrition; energy (pt. 1 & 2); machines (pt. 1 & 2); balance in nature; science in technology. Downside is that it is not ALL physical science, as you requested. Choice of doing the AO LifePacs (10 workbooks, with optional tests, teacher guide and science experiments on DVD (note: this particular item has poor reviews), or the Switched on Schoolhouse version, with CD rom with video tutorial lessons and multi-media. There is a $120 supply kit to accompany the program -- you'll probably want to get 2 sets so the students can get more hands-on time, with sharing in a group of 2 or 3, rather than all 5 with one kit. One plus is that AO, either LifePac or SOS, is very geared towards independent working, so not a lot of intensive teacher time for you. Here's a thought: what about getting one set of the SOS for the video lessons/multi-media aspect, and then a set of workbook/texts for each student? That way you get the extra boost with the video lessons. OR, here's another thought: what about purchasing both grade 8 AND 9, and just have the students do the physical science units from each, and save the other units for another year... Edited June 18, 2016 by Lori D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaplank Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Elemental Science - Chemistry for the Logic stage meets all your requirements. There is even a lab kit to purchase,although you do need to purchase perishables for some of the experiments. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 (edited) . Edited May 23, 2023 by SilverMoon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 What about Apologia Physical Science? It seems to meet all your requirements, labs, tests, notebooking, etc. cbd.com has everything, I believe, including a lab kit: http://www.christianbook.com/apologia-exploring-creation-physical-vol-2nd/jay-wile/pd/336402?event=Homeschool|1002429 (My dd used this book in classical private school for 8th grade, if that gives you any information as far as difficulty.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 Would these work? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Chemistry-Cambridge-IGCSE%C2%AE-CD-ROM/dp/0199138788/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466232067&sr=8-2&keywords=IGCSE+Complete+chemistry https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Physics-Cambridge-IGCSE%C2%AE-CD-ROM/dp/019913877X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1466232125&sr=8-3&keywords=IGCSE+Complete+Physics The CD in the teacherbook has tests + answers + worksheets + practicums (labs), you can print them as often as need, no lab manual or workbook costs. The teacherbook has also the answers on the questions in the studentbook. We do not the extended questions, but you might consider that for the one who want to college if she would choose a science field. IGCSE is aimed for older then grade 7, but the information might be accessible. IGCSE books have several editions and I don't like them all equally. Some have the text in one column, others in 2. I let dd pick the edition to what made sense to here. Is there a lab kit, or would I have to buy everything separately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 How about Abeka's 9th grade physical science, Matter and Energy. Physical science is very frequently done in 8th grade (and then Biology in 9th), so this might be a great fit for your wide age spread. Abeka includes: textbook and kit options, plus optional other materials of: teacher book, answer key, digital teaching aids, test book and test key, quiz book and quiz key, lab manual, teacher lab manual, and a science project guide. Homeschool Classifieds has several up for sale now. The supply kit to go with Abeka is VERY pricey. You might be able to cut back by substituting for the Abeka labs with several TOPS units and accompanying supply kits -- read through the Abeka lab manual table of contents to see what kinds of labs they cover and roughly match that. If you go with the TOPS units, you might be able to skip purchasing the Abeka lab manual, teacher lab manual, and science project guide... - Chemistry: Analysis, Solutions, and possibly Cohesion and Adhesion; Oxidation - Physics: (Motion, Heat, Electricity, and possibly Pendulums, Floating and Sinking, Magnetism NOTE: AVOID Light, Sound, Pressure, and Kinetic Model -- these had a fairly high "fail rate" for us. ALSO NOTE: while the TOPS supply kits provide the majority of items, you will still need to find/gather/purchase a handful of more common household items for each kit. An option for a supply kit/lab for simple machines (levers, pulleys, etc.), might be the K'NEX Intro to Levers and Pulleys. There is also a Gears kit and a Wheels/Axels/Inclined Planes kit. One other option might be Alpha Omega's grade 8 General Science 2 -- 10 units with 6 units covering physics topics: science and society; structure of matter (pt. 1 & 2); health & nutrition; energy (pt. 1 & 2); machines (pt. 1 & 2); balance in nature; science in technology. Downside is that it is not ALL physical science, as you requested. Choice of doing the AO LifePacs (10 workbooks, with optional tests, teacher guide and science experiments on DVD (note: this particular item has poor reviews), or the Switched on Schoolhouse version, with CD rom with video tutorial lessons and multi-media. There is a $120 supply kit to accompany the program -- you'll probably want to get 2 sets so the students can get more hands-on time, with sharing in a group of 2 or 3, rather than all 5 with one kit. One plus is that AO, either LifePac or SOS, is very geared towards independent working, so not a lot of intensive teacher time for you. Here's a thought: what about getting one set of the SOS for the video lessons/multi-media aspect, and then a set of workbook/texts for each student? That way you get the extra boost with the video lessons. OR, here's another thought: what about purchasing both grade 8 AND 9, and just have the students do the physical science units from each, and save the other units for another year... I've never been a fan of ABeka, and I think the 9th grade text will be WAY too much for these girls. One is an 11 year old, technically a 6th grader, but can probably manage 7th grade level with my help. The others are older but also working at about 7th grade level. I will look at the AOP materials you suggested. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 Elemental Science - Chemistry for the Logic stage meets all your requirements. There is even a lab kit to purchase,although you do need to purchase perishables for some of the experiments. I looked at it, and unfortunately, the chemistry and the physics are separate programs. The grammar stage chemistry looks more on their level than the logic stage chemistry, but they're actually probably somewhere in between. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 RSO Chemistry from Pandia Press has a lab kit at HST. Secular. No experience using it. Christian Kids Explore Chemistry fills every requirement but the lab kit, but it uses household items. It was a little light for my strong STEM student in 7th, but it was just the spine we rolled around and he also worked through gobs of living books, the McHenry books, Chem 101, and such. Friendly Chemistry is one I almost purchased for that 7th grader. Same problem with the lab kit. It says high school but it's considered pretty light. There are games and paper activities built into it. I'll look at these. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 What about Apologia Physical Science? It seems to meet all your requirements, labs, tests, notebooking, etc. cbd.com has everything, I believe, including a lab kit: http://www.christianbook.com/apologia-exploring-creation-physical-vol-2nd/jay-wile/pd/336402?event=Homeschool|1002429 (My dd used this book in classical private school for 8th grade, if that gives you any information as far as difficulty.) I've used it before and actually still have it on my shelf. I'm thinking it will be too difficult for most of my girls, but I'll keep it on my short list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loesje22000 Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Is there a lab kit, or would I have to buy everything separately? I have honestly no idea. Lab kits are too expensive to ship, if it is allowed according custom laws. So I never use them. I just own a Kosmos Chemistry box, and what dd can't do with that, we watch at youtube. We have no transcripts here, and no lab exams. So we do some labs as we like them, but it is not a requirement. IGCSE Physics is on its way so I have no experience with the labs yet. The mail(wo)men strikes here... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 We've just finished Grammar Stage Chem from Elemental Science and we loved it! I really appreciate that she gives you the option to buy the experiment supply kit. And she has 2 day and 5 day schedules available in the manual which is helpful. The first and last chapters experiments is making ice cream in a plastic bag- how can ya beat that?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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