ILiveInFlipFlops Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Can anyone recommend secular middle school science (ideally, life science) materials for a not-terribly-academic student? This is for my kid whose strengths do not lie in this area, who is overwhelmed with a lot of reading, and who does very well with workbook-y type stuff. She wants more hands-on science, but maybe not every single week? We've looked at RSO Bio 2, but I think it's going to be too much for her (and maybe me!). We currently have Elemental Science's Bio for the Logic Stage, but we're not loving it--we both find the instructions confusing, we don't love picking around at the reading, and she wants more experiments (which I know is harder to do in Bio). A PS-type textbook approach might be good, but I don't know what's recommended there, so I'm hoping some of you might have some guidance for me, or some suggestions I haven't come across yet. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Have you looked at Ellen McHenry’s The Cell and Botany programs? Lots of hands on and much of it visual/artistic http://ellenjmchenry.com/curricula-for-sale/ What about CK-12 Life Science? https://www.ck12.org/c/life-science/#/?_k=j4jq4q It isn’t Hands-on but lots of multi-media, and it’s free. You could add in lab activities. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 For a straight-up textbook: Prentice Hall Science Explorer: Life Science is for gr. 6-8 and is secular. (Also for gr. 6-8 are Earth Science and Physical Science.) Looks like there is a lab manual to go with the Life Science -- can't see inside, so I'm guessing you would need to pull together all the supplies and equipment. For even lighter reading, what about either the 2 Reader's Digest "How.... Works" (Body and Nature), OR, the 3 Usborne Internet-Linked books (Animal World, World of Plants, Human Body), and just add in some additional books, videos, and hands-on as you find them? For a few experiments/hands-on you could add in from time to time things like: Kym Wright's Botany Adventure; Ellen McHenry's Botany in 8 Lessons; Tops Science: Radishes, Corn & Beans, Animal Survival. What about Nancy Larson: Science 4 (ages 9-12)? It is more hands-on, but it is integrated science rather than a single topic -- Science 4 has 3 units of Life Science: Cells, Plants, Animals, Ecosystems; + 2 units of Physics: Energy, Electricity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 2 minutes ago, Targhee said: What about CK-12 Life Science? https://www.ck12.org/c/life-science/#/?_k=j4jq4q It isn’t Hands-on but lots of multi-media, and it’s free. You could add in lab activities. CK-12 also has free workbook pages to go with the text Targhee linked. Mark Twain Media has a Life Science workbook for gr. 6-9, while Carson-Dellosa's 100+ Series: Life Science workbook is for gr. 5-8, and On The Mark's Life Science workbook is for gr. 6. You could use 1 or 2 of those as "spines" and add additional videos, books, and hands-on as desired. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 For straightforward non-reading heavy middle school science, I would look into Plato. https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/plato-middle-science/ The program does not take much time and would leave plenty of time to supplement with whatever extra materials/books etc you wanted to do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 Thank you, everyone. I'm working my way through your great suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrierocha Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Guest Hollow has a Biology curriculum that is based on the free CK12 book, but includes links to experiements, You Tube videos, etc. Guest Hollow is a Christian blog so that is her frame of reference, but I know she has said that you can just use the secular CK12 book. It might be worth looking at: http://guesthollow.com/biology/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewIma Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 This thread finally inspired me to look at Ellen McHenry's curriculum! Wow!!! I think I may need to switch my plans for next year. Dd would love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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