What would I need to add to call Apologia Biology Honors ?

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I know that honors courses generally:

 

Require more critical thinking

Usually more depth of content

More independent research

More overal independent reading and discussion

 

But they aren't AP courses either, and I don't want to overburden my son unnecessarily. However I'd like to enhance his Biology so It can rightfully show as Honors on his transcript.

 

I was thinking of adding the Khan Academy Biology course and one research paper per semester.

 

Would that do it? Is it overkill?

[katilac]

How far is he into the book? It would be a lot easier to just switch him to a different text that is honors level, or that has an honors track. 

[Pistachio mom]

I would recommend looking up the definition of "honors" on your state department of ed website; as well as do some web searches for some syllabus examples for a high school that teaches honors biology. Here are a couple:

 

http://www.duplinschools.net/Page/1491

https://www.georgiastandards.org/standards/Georgia%20Performance%20Standards/Biology-Curriculum-revised-06.pdf   (the last 2 pages are good)

 

Here are a few ideas for adding honors content:

 

Adding a research project in which your student can apply the scientific method.

Participate in a science fair.

Read Current events in science related news and write summaries.

Research paper

Read biographies of anyone related to biology that strikes his interest.

 

I would start with your student's interests combined with the course material, and then build your additional projects from there.

[mschickie]

I know our co-op's science teacher is looking to do an honors Bio next year.  She is thinking of adding in some extra books one being Darwin's Black Box https://www.amazon.com/Darwins-Black-Box-Biochemical-Challenge/dp/0743290313  Her son had to read it in one of his college classes and is having her read it now.  She said it is fascinating.

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Ok, I looked into all the links and I feel confident that I have made a good plan for him to legitimately take this course to Honors level. He has been assigned extra reading and a 5 page response and critique including citing the work.....also a Reasearch Science Project meaning he will do a Science Fair project but must also present a 5 page research, cited, background research paper on the project with graphs, charts, etc.  

 

Lastly, he will go through the Khan Biology course topics, study the entire Barron's SAT Biology study guide and hopefully pass the SAT 2 Subject test for Biology.  :o)

 

So the course has

- plenty of extra content

- extra reading, and writing and critical thinking and analysis

- in depth research, data analysis and hands on component

- requires more independence

- requires long term planning and goal keeping

[Arcadia]

From UC webpage

 

"General requirements

 

School-created honors courses must satisfy the following general requirements:

 

Honors-level courses are specialized, advanced courses designed for 10th-, 11th- or 12th-graders who have already completed foundation work in the subject area. High school courses offered at the grade 9 level that schools might locally designate as “honors†are not eligible for the UC honors designation." http://ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/honors/index.html

 

"Honors-level courses in the laboratory sciences require at least one year of prior laboratory science. All honors-level laboratory science courses must be demonstrably more challenging than the college-preparatory science and mathematics courses required as prerequisites. Topics covered and laboratory exercises must be in depth and involve advanced analysis and research. Each honors-level course must have a comprehensive written final examination, including laboratory concepts and skills. Senior projects and other long-term student inquiries may constitute part of this comprehensive examination. A clear and robust rationale for why this course should be considered honors-level must be included."

http://ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/d-lab-science/honors/index.html

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Thank you Arcadia!

 

I feel that the course meets that criteria (except the prior course part) and I know UCs won't count it but we aren't just applying to UCs :)

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(Also APOLOGIA Acsdemy requires two college level formal lab reports in addition to over 20 regular lab reports so even on the lab level I would count it)

 

But next year I'll just use TPS or something so I don't have to add to a basic course

[Arcadia]

I feel that the course meets that criteria (except the prior course part) and I know UCs won't count it but we aren't just applying to UCs :)

I figured if the course description is enough for UC, it can't be far off for others :lol:

My kids are going to be doing credit by SAT exam. Both rank biology last in their science interest. Oldest ran away from bio labs.

 

Good luck on his SAT bio and AP exams.

 

Remember to keep his lab reports just in case. I forgot if it was Margaret in CO or FaithManor that said they had to dig out their kids high school lab books.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Arcadia

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THank you!! 

[Pistachio mom]

Does Apologia have additional articles on their website for Biology like they have for Physical science?

My student is in this book too, but we are not doing honors. One of the projects that one of my friends who did use this as her honors bio for her boys added in a project related to the growth of puppies (they breed and sell Labradors). 

 

I think this might be the link:

http://new.apologia.com/index.asp?proc=st&pg=bookextras

 

Honestly, from your posts above, it sounds like you have a very solid plan. I hope your student enjoys his year!