Apologia vs Rainbow?

[Hopewell]

Can anyone who has really used or seriously evaluated BOTH give me some ideas of why one or the other? Starting to buy for 7th grade and science is my downfall!

[Aunty Social]

I strongly prefer Apologia.

 

Rainbow (at least for us) wasn't explanatory enough. My dd loved the writing, I loved that it was mainly self teaching; but the knowledge that is tested is much more complex and in depth than the knowledge presented in the text. It seemed that the student was expected to take a basic presentation of knowledge and then follow that basic premise to a much more complex application and understanding without being taught the steps along the way. I was amazed at the answers she was supposed to get on the exams, based on the information presented in the book. They really were at different levels. I understand (and encourage) think and apply, but in this case there is not enough information there for them to do that.

 

Apologia is actually more rigorous than Rainbow, but is presented in such a way that it is much easier for the student to learn. The writing is solid, and it is also mainly self teaching. They start with a basic presentation, and follow from there. My dd went from failing science to acing it because the material was presented in a logical progression, without missing steps. And I actually believe that Apologia is a much harder (in terms of content) curriculum.

 

hth

[Sumiller]

I have used both with my dc. I began with my dd (now 20) when she was in 7th grade. I bought Rainbow after taking her with me to the local convention and she took one look and said, "Mom, I want to do this science." Considering at the time my dd hated science and was struggling in other areas (somewhat dyslexic), I decided to let her have her desire. What I really, really love about Rainbow is that you have nothing to do but follow along! Everything is done, all materials gathered and organized and the TM tells you what your child should have learned for each lesson and lab. Now, for my dd and eventually for my ds's, it developed in each of them a LOVE for science that I don't think they would necessarily have gotten if I had given them the Apologia books. After finishing Rainbow, my children (except for my youngest who is still in Rainbow) transitioned extremely well into Apologia. Rainbow gave them a good foundation, ignited the fire even if they didn't fully understand all the concepts at the time. They certainly enjoyed Dr. Dobbins humor. :)

 

Also, I didn't (and still don't) use tests for the Rainbow. We kept it very low key. At the end of each section there is a review lesson. My dc would work through the review lesson and we would discuss all that they had learned. I was always amazed at what they had remembered and still do!

 

I will add, that my two older dc also enjoy Dr. Wile and his way of teaching too. But for us, it is better suited to high school science.

 

Just my family's experience,

[LynnG in Arizona]

I have used both with my dc. I began with my dd (now 20) when she was in 7th grade. I bought Rainbow after taking her with me to the local convention and she took one look and said, "Mom, I want to do this science." Considering at the time my dd hated science and was struggling in other areas (somewhat dyslexic), I decided to let her have her desire. What I really, really love about Rainbow is that you have nothing to do but follow along! Everything is done, all materials gathered and organized and the TM tells you what your child should have learned for each lesson and lab. Now, for my dd and eventually for my ds's, it developed in each of them a LOVE for science that I don't think they would necessarily have gotten if I had given them the Apologia books. After finishing Rainbow, my children (except for my youngest who is still in Rainbow) transitioned extremely well into Apologia. Rainbow gave them a good foundation, ignited the fire even if they didn't fully understand all the concepts at the time. They certainly enjoyed Dr. Dobbins humor. :)

 

Also, I didn't (and still don't) use tests for the Rainbow. We kept it very low key. At the end of each section there is a review lesson. My dc would work through the review lesson and we would discuss all that they had learned. I was always amazed at what they had remembered and still do!

 

I will add, that my two older dc also enjoy Dr. Wile and his way of teaching too. But for us, it is better suited to high school science.

 

Just my family's experience,

 

:iagree: I don't have time to write much, but basically I could have written this post. This was pretty much our experience as well.

[Guest]

fascinating.. I was wondering the same thing recently. So what you ladies suggest is not using the tests then?

Are supply kits avl. for Apologia? How heavy-handed is the religious aspect? We are Chirstians but my boys do not like it in their school books. Thank you. Sorry for hyjacking...

[LynnG in Arizona]

fascinating.. I was wondering the same thing recently. So what you ladies suggest is not using the tests then?

Are supply kits avl. for Apologia? How heavy-handed is the religious aspect? We are Chirstians but my boys do not like it in their school books. Thank you. Sorry for hyjacking...

 

I am Christian too, but Apologia often comes across as heavy handed to me. Perhaps because I am not a young earth/literal creationist. It's been the single thing I've disliked most about Apologia, but it's not a deal breaker, and there are many aspects of Apologia that we love.

 

Rainbow is much lighter in its approach. It firmly believes that God created the earth, but doesn't go into details on how that happened. Most of the lessons don't mention God or religion at all. In fact, I think Rainbow could easily be used secularly for this reason.