High School Science Confusion

[Tiffini]

I'm hoping someone can help me make sense out of my muddled thoughts right now!

My 15 yo dd is doing Rev to Rev for her freshman year currently. She is doing the Advanced Science for HS credit. But now I'm confused about the future path. Right now, if we follow along with HOD's plans - which I REALLY want to do, it would look like this:

9th - Rev to Rev Physical Science (which has to be listed as an elective in Indiana rather than a core science class for HS credit)
10th - MtMM Science beefed up - Chemistry I (can I call it that or do I have to call it Intro to Chemistry???)
11th - Geography Guide Science - Integrated Physics and Chemistry (is it okay to do this AFTER doing Chemistry I in 10th?)
12th - Next HOD Guide - Biology I - I see that Health will be included in this year. Do you think it's okay to hold off on her semester of Health and do it in 12th since it will just be scheduled in here? Or does that typically need to come earlier in a HS course?

Does this look okay for HS science? The order of things is not as you would typically see on a transcript. This would mean only 3 credit worthy sciences for her high school which is okay in my state if you are not on a science career path.

OR, should I make my own science plan to follow through the remaining 3 years of high school that is a more typical course of study? I really hate to miss any of the science that Carrie plans because it appeals to us so much more than just doing a typical science textbook, but I also don't want to mess up her transcript. I'd LOVE help from anyone who knows what I'm talking about!!

[8arrows]

I am not answering your question. I am only adding my name to the list. We are in the exact same boat, and I am also looking forward to Carrie's answer. Melissa

[Carrie]

Tiffini,

Each state is different, but most states will only award science credit for either physical science or integrated physics and chemistry but not both. However, if your state does not recognize physical science as a core science credit and requires you to list it as an elective, then it is possible that you could do integrated physics and chemistry for a core science credit even though your child has already done EE physical science.

For sure you will want to have credit in biology and chemistry as your core science credits for high school. Does your state require a physical science or an integrated physics and chemistry course as part of the core science credit? What are your state's requirements for science for high school? If I knew that I could answer your better.

Typically students do biology before chemistry simply because it does not have the math requirements that chem. does. However, often the sequence of sciences is not important, unless the student is headed toward a science-related career and needs to show a progression through more advanced science topics or through sciences that are increasingly math-based.

You could just do your transcript by subject rather than by grade level and then just list the sciences under the subject heading (if the order of sciences seems unique). Even in public high schools, it isn't uncommon for some courses to be in odd sequences simply due to availability of the class.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Tiffini]

Thanks for your reply, Carrie. My state requires 2 credits in Biology I, 2 Credits in Chemistry I OR Physics I OR Integrated Chemistry-Physics and, finally 2 credits in any other Core Science course (which does not include Physical Science). So my main concern is: Can I count the Chemistry beefed up as you suggested in MtMM as Chemistry I? If so, then I would have Chemistry I covered. Then, IPC would be counted in the Geography guide, and then Biology would be covered in the next guide. Does that sound right? I am worried about shortchanging her because of trying to fit her into the younger guides and not having a true high school fully integrated course for her 9th and 10th grade years. So far, with Rev to Rev, I feel that she is getting a solid freshman year with the extensions and beef ups we have added. But I'm concerned that it won't feel like enough when she is doing the Geography guide for her junior year. The science area is of special concern to me because that's not my strong suit and I want to make sure it's going to work for the transcript. Thanks again for your help!

[luv2homeschool]

Thanks for your reply, Carrie. My state requires 2 credits in Biology I, 2 Credits in Chemistry I OR Physics I OR Integrated Chemistry-Physics and, finally 2 credits in any other Core Science course (which does not include Physical Science). So my main concern is: Can I count the Chemistry beefed up as you suggested in MtMM as Chemistry I? If so, then I would have Chemistry I covered. Then, IPC would be counted in the Geography guide, and then Biology would be covered in the next guide. Does that sound right? I am worried about shortchanging her because of trying to fit her into the younger guides and not having a true high school fully integrated course for her 9th and 10th grade years. So far, with Rev to Rev, I feel that she is getting a solid freshman year with the extensions and beef ups we have added. But I'm concerned that it won't feel like enough when she is doing the Geography guide for her junior year. The science area is of special concern to me because that's not my strong suit and I want to make sure it's going to work for the transcript. Thanks again for your help!

Do you mind me asking how do you know what your state requires for these high school credits?

[Tiffini]

Each state should have their requirements online on the Dept. of Education website. For instance, my link is www.doe.in.gov for Indiana graduation and diploma requirements. Hope this helps!

[Carrie]

Tiffini,

I'm going to link the other thread where I believe you and I are also discussing this topic so that other families can read our responses there as well. Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12998

Hopefully, this will be of help to others as they ponder science for high school.

Blessings,
Carrie