Chez J Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Hi all, My daughter will be 4th grade next year. We've started and stopped Apologia elementary several times over the last couple of years but have never finished a book. I think I tried to cram too much into to few days. Next year I will start over and do only one subject a year. I am trying to think how to schedule the courses long-term. I have read on the WTM boards over the years that Prentice Hall science is really the best for upper high school science, but many say Apologia is good too. I don't mind if science doesn't specifically teach creationism so long as it doesn't undermine the bible by teaching old-earth evolution. KWIM? So...how could I start Apologia elementary next year and "graduate" into the upper-level apologia and finally to Prentice Hall by HS graduation? Meaning, which courses either would be duplicates and/or better to use at the elementary or high school level? TIA, Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterfly113 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veronica in VA Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Apologia elementary science wasn't around when my kids were younger, unfortunately. However, I did look at the Prentice Hall Biology and Chemistry for high school since my dd's umbrella school uses it. My dd really likes how Apologia reads and asked to stay with that, however, I don't know why you couldn't switch over to PH at any time. DD did use the Apologia general science in 7th and did PH Earth Science for 8th or 9th grade. She just likes Apologia better (and I could go with either one). I know some don't think Apologia is rigorous enough, but it works for us. Veronica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellogirl Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I am not familiar with PH books, but I am convinced there is nothing better than Apologia. Instead of watering concepts down, these books are more rigorous and yet more easily done than all the other science texts I have seen. I would suggest starting with Apologia and then sticking to it unless you have a good reason to switch. Realistically, you can start General Science in 7th grade without former science knowledge, but there's no reason not to introduce it. Choose one of their elementary books and work through it with your daughter. You'll probably be fine as long as she is well-grounded in Math and English. Aim to start Pre-Algebra in 7th grade and follow Apologia's sequence from there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Realistically, you can start General Science in 7th grade without former science knowledge, but there's no reason not to introduce it. Choose one of their elementary books and work through it with your daughter. You'll probably be fine as long as she is well-grounded in Math and English. Aim to start Pre-Algebra in 7th grade and follow Apologia's sequence from there... :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I am trying to think how to schedule the courses long-term. I have read on the WTM boards over the years that Prentice Hall science is really the best for upper high school science, but many say Apologia is good too. I don't mind if science doesn't specifically teach creationism so long as it doesn't undermine the bible by teaching old-earth evolution. KWIM? Well, *best* is relative. *Best* for me depends on our goals for that child, the way I'd like science taught, what is available any given year and what is manageable at home or in the child's schedule. We've used Apologia and like it. My dc have also taken online science courses using secular texts and done fine. Others swear by BJU or PH or Campbells or Hewitt. There are many solid choices. So...how could I start Apologia elementary next year and "graduate" into the upper-level apologia and finally to Prentice Hall by HS graduation? Meaning, which courses either would be duplicates and/or better to use at the elementary or high school level? Well, your dd is in 3rd grade. :001_smile: I've no doubt there will be even more choices when she reaches high school level. Given that, I wouldn't plan too tightly. But to answer your question, *any* of the Apologia elementary courses could be used. In fact, a student could start Apologia biology in 9th grade without having done any formal text-based science and do well *if* the study skills/reading skills are in place And you need to ensure math skills are at level to tackle upper chemistry and physics. Since that's the case, I've found the best use of our science time in the lower grades is to allow my child to explore and fall in love with science. Whether you use Apologia elementary books or science fair projects or delight-directed units to get there doesn't matter. Then, starting in middle school, I begin ramping up my child's study skills and notetaking habits so that the child is ready for biology in either 8th or 9th grade. It may also help you to see the sequence that some have used. I can tell you that my oldest ds' science sequence is not what I would have planned. Life happens, we couldn't find a suitable physics course, he opted for an AP course, we still couldn't find a suitable physics course, he opted for an online course . . . you get the picture. Reality intervenes in the best of plans. :tongue_smilie: But sometimes that reality is even better than what was planned! Ds1: 6th grade -- delight-directed project raising quail w/ a biologist 7th grade -- we moved; about half of Apologia General and a great science fair project 8th grade -- Apologia biology w/ outside lab 9th grade -- Apologia chemistry w/ outside lab 10th grade -- AP biology 11th grade -- Physics, honors, online 12th grade -- ??? He hopes to do AP Chem My others have been a bit more traditional: DD1: 6th grade -- Apologia Flying Creatures and Botany books 7th grade -- Apologia General Science (and sat in on Apologia Elem Oceans for fun :001_smile:) 8th grade -- Apologia Physical Science 9th grade -- Apologia Biology w/ outside lab 10th grade -- we'll put together an outside chem class HTH! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam L in Mid Tenn Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 While it is good to plan long term, I don't think it is realistic to make curriculum decisions years in advance. Things change. Life changes. Children develop thier own learning styles, interests. Problems may arise or go away. New curriculum comes on the market. I think it is best to plan out subject matter and possible curriculum choices. Apologia General Science can be done in 7th, 8th, 9th grades without having done any of thier elementary level books. If you find you are not finishing the books, ask yourself why.... Are you not reading the full book? Are you trying to do every question? Are you trying to do every project and experiment? Do not discount the importance of reading through the material. A whole lot of information can be retained by JUST reading. Go ahead and make some general plans for the full 12 years, but be prepared for that to radically change. My 11th graders transcript will look very different from what I had envisioned when she was in the 4th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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