Thoughts on Thinkwell Chemistry and Biology? And....what about labs?

[frankincense]

Next year's science will be either Chemistry or Biology for DD's 10th grade lineup. I've been drawn to Thinkwell as I've searched for a science that:

- offers challenge to an academically-oriented kid that enjoys more rigorous material (yes I know, definition of "rigor" is very individual...)
- offers a video instruction component
- is asynchronous - not interested in live, online instruction at the moment

I saw from the pinned posts that BJU offers what would be considered honors chemistry and bio, however, I'm leaning toward secular science curriculum as I want to give DD coverage of evolution to prep her for college science. We're Christian, but I've found BJU to provide more sermonizing than I find palatable in a science course. We cover bible in its own course, and the arguments against other views get tedious for me and for DD ("get to the science" is what she's often stated during the video lectures). It's a shame as I was otherwise impressed by the quality of the material in their Life Science course.

Thinkwell's samples look entertaining and the TOC for each seems to be pretty comprehensive. I have a few concerns and would love feedback from those of you that have used these courses:

- Thinkwell doesn't appear to include a lab component with Bio or Chemistry. I don't want to close any doors for DD, who hasn't zeroed in on a particular focus for college yet, and omitting a lab component (particularly for chemistry) seems like a bad idea. Thoughts? As a non-science person, having a course that's fairly open and go and having to add labs and presumably figure out which lessons to associate them with sounds like a lot of work. Has anyone found a good way to address this?

- I was contemplating having DD take Bio in 10th grade and Chemistry in 11th grade (due to the difficulty of the material), but saw some commentary somewhere that Thinkwell's bio might require chemistry as a prerequisite. She's currently wrapping up Algebra II so I'm guessing she'll have enough math under her belt. Any thoughts on the order of the two courses? 

I'm open to alternative suggestions. Having a video component, labs, and coverage of evolution is making it hard for me to find a curriculum on my own. Appreciate any wisdom from those that have walked this path before me! Thank you!

 

[Arcadia]

Thinkwell chemistry was too passive learning for my DS15. We bought when there was a homeschool discount and it was affordable enough to try. He ended up taking chem in summer school and then took ap chem with PAH/ChemAdvantage. Thinkwell doesn’t have labs and my DS15 loves hands on labs for chem, physics and environmental science. 

[Plagefille]

My DS is doing Thinkwell Biology right now. He likes the format, but he has never been a hands on kind of kid. He is a workbook type loving kid. I have been watching the videos as well. The instructor is very entertaining, but very thorough. His explanations have made things click for me.

The course is basically many 9-13 min videos with short quizzes to take after each one. There are also chapter tests. The course is pretty intense (at least for us). The schedule, if followed, is for 5 days a week for 37 weeks. My DS is spending 40-45 min a day. This is considerably more time than he has spent in the past on science.

We just finished the BioChem chapter. I wouldn't say that chemistry is a prerequisite, but it would definitely help. The classes are college level, so previous basic knowledge definitely helps.

There are no labs. We are using a separate lab book, The Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments. We are not doing all of them. I think I picked 15-20ish. About one every other week.

[frankincense]

19 hours ago, Arcadia said:

Thinkwell chemistry was too passive learning for my DS15. We bought when there was a homeschool discount and it was affordable enough to try. He ended up taking chem in summer school and then took ap chem with PAH/ChemAdvantage. Thinkwell doesn’t have labs and my DS15 loves hands on labs for chem, physics and environmental science. 

This is helpful feedback - thank you. Not having labs in chemistry seems like a deal breaker to me. I'm going to keep looking. 

[frankincense]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I think we'll do chemistry next year, then give Thinkwell's Bio a try the subsequent year. I appreciate the pointer to the separate lab book -- that would solve the lab dilemma.

I didn't realize Clover Creek offered asynchronous components with the chemistry offerings -- I'd mistakenly thought only live online classes were offered. After viewing the sample videos at the site, I think we'll pursue Clover Creek rather than Thinkwell as our next science. I really like the enthusiasm of the instructor and the flexibility of regular vs. honors is also attractive. 

Thanks again for all the input!

[Arcadia]

1 hour ago, frankincense said:

I didn't realize Clover Creek offered asynchronous components with the chemistry offerings -- I'd mistakenly thought only live online classes were offered. After viewing the sample videos at the site, I think we'll pursue Clover Creek rather than Thinkwell as our next science. I really like the enthusiasm of the instructor and the flexibility of regular vs. honors is also attractive. 

I think you meant Clover Valley Chemistry. The instructor is @Dicentra

Some reviews here 🙂

 

 

[gstharr]

over the last 20 years, I know at least 75 graduates from our well regarded local high schools that have gone to various U.C.s  with goals of going to medical school. All had AP Chemisrty at the high school.  ALL switched majors after the first year of  chemisty.  I had no idea what could cause such dismal performance at college, until my now 11th grader took an on-line  instructor led AP chemistry class at CTY.  The CTY class used TW videos as primary material, but the instructor taught and stressed  college level lab reporting.  We thought the class would be an easy redo since he had already completed TW AP chemistry on his own ( we repeated because this was the first covid summer, and all residential programs were closed).  The class turned out to be extremely intense, because of the difficulty  of writing  proper lab reports.  By the end of the class he had mastered it.  Then, I asked some of the students who had difficulty  with UC chemistry to show me their lab reports.  I was surprised that the high schools' AP chemistry class had not taught them  to write a properly structured report. They were  all 2 pages, 7-8 paragraphs.  All of them said that the instructor did not teach writing, or tell them what they wre doing wrong--just simply graded harshly.  Obviously, the student who did well had learned the method somewhere.  The short of it, I would make sure that not only are there labs, but that  college lab report writing is taught.

[frankincense]

4 hours ago, Arcadia said:

I think you meant Clover Valley Chemistry. The instructor is @Dicentra

 

 

Yes, I meant Clover Valley Chemistry. Thanks for the catch! 

The reviews are certainly excellent. I feel good about having a path forward for chemistry now. Based on the feedback, the regular chemistry with Clover Valley sounds like the right fit. She'll have some tough courses in addition to this and I don't want to overload her. 

Thank you again for all the information and pointing me to the reviews!

[frankincense]

2 hours ago, gstharr said:

The short of it, I would make sure that not only are there labs, but that  college lab report writing is taught.

Thank you for this. I've reallocated the portion of my brain dedicated to my last chemistry course and would not have thought specifically of lab reports.