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Love the discussion. just reading.....

I love the elementary apologia sciences.... but no experience with older grades.

have a question.

the next four guides what ages/grades will they be. I am sure you have been asked this LOTS of times.

Teena,

We are looking at the age break-down to most likely be as follows:

Ancients: Ages 9-11 with extensions for ages 12-13
Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation: Ages 10-12 with extensions for ages 13-14
Reformation to 1800's or so: Ages 11-13 with extensions for ages 14-15
1800's to Present: Ages 12-14 with extensions for age 15 (we most likely will not extend this for age 16, as sophomores require a more rigorous history schedule, while freshman are still doing geography as their core and can easily add on the history that would be in our guides).

Extensions will likely be only history-wise, as science gets trickier to extend content-wise as kiddos get older. It varies so much whether the child (or the family) has a science-bent as to what is considrered "enough" science for that particular kiddo. We will "cover" the sciences according to the state standards but many homeschool families begin to hit science hard in grade 7-8 for very science-minded kiddos (using Rainbow Science or Apologia's upper level programs). This most likely will not be the focus we'll take, as families with that mindset can easily add Apologia's upper level programs or Rainbow science in place of or in addition to our living books science.

Blessings,
Carrie

1. First of all, what do you think about this type of a science structure?          I like the year-by-year, subject-by-subject approach. That would ease my mind about my children's science education. I think by that age children should be ready for a more rigorous study of science.

2. Secondly, what do you desire to see in a science program (assignment/experiment/reading-wise)?
I would like to see regular, daily science readings and assignments that build on each other. As for experiments, hopefully they would be easy to implement and would cummulate in a report that links with the readings and assignments in a particular subject area. Field trip and extra reading suggestions for those who desire them would also be a great idea.

3. Thirdly, how have you covered science in your experiences prior to HOD and what have your feelings been on the success of your science study?
This is our first year of homeschooling but so far I have supplemented the science with living books, encylopedia entries, a lapbook on a completely different science subject and field trips. Quite frankly, the science as covered in LHFHG just hasn't been enough for my daughter, she wants more and I would have liked to seen more structure, but it has been easy to supplement.

Don't feel like you need to have all the answers, just share away with what your experiences have taught you or what your thoughts are!  Blessings,Carrie[/quote]

I love the Apologia books--elementary and Jr. High (by different authors). It would be very beneficial to have the new Apologia book that you are looking at designed into your plans. The elementary Apologia science books have been the most successful science that we have completed at our house. We have also used Abeka (very OK to average) and MFW (we did well with the Apologia books they schedule, not so well with the others). I have liked the CDs from Live and Learn that coordinate with the Apologia elementary books as they have helped my older ones retain the scientific terms. Plus, they add pictures and make a nice reference notebook. This is one area I would change with the elementary Apologia books. I would really like a little more direction in the notebooking and some colored pictures that I do not have to search and run off the internet for their notebooks and for checking retention of the material. For example, we are currently using Zoo 2 (with 3 of mine). I would have loved to have a colored picture of a whale spouting with directions to write "Marine Animal" underneath and blanks to fill in "Kingdom Anamalia, Order Cetacea" . Then I would have liked a picture of a baleen whale and a toothed whale for the child to label and perhaps a picture with a fluke and a blowhole to label. Perhaps then they could circle which one tends to be bigger--baleen or toothed. Then they could write one sentence or have a copywork sentence at the bottom. Can you tell I have thought about this? It never hurts to ask, right?! I cannot comment on HOD science because we are using Beyond (with 2 of mine) for the first time and are only on week 5. However, we are really enjoying it so far. That makes sense though, because there is a "textbook" type spine supplemented with "doable" experiments. I do take pictures and have them write a short summary even with Beyond. I don't tend to do well with Usborne books as a spine or too technical of spines. I will be looking forward to seeing the direction you take with science in the upper guides. I could certainly use help as this is not my favorite subject to teach.

Carrie wrote: We are looking at the age break-down to most likely be as follows:

Ancients: Ages 9-11 with extensions for ages 12-13
Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation: Ages 10-12 with extensions for ages 13-14
Reformation to 1800's or so: Ages 11-13 with extensions for ages 14-15
1800's to Present: Ages 12-14 with extensions for age 15 (we most likely will not extend this for age 16, as sophomores require a more rigorous history schedule, while freshman are still doing geography as their core and can easily add on the history that would be in our guides).

Yay! This follow up schedule to Preparing is absolutely wonderful. Now, I realize that God will lead as God will lead , but this schedule will give my littler ones (my older ds is too old to go all the way through and still get high school history in a cycle ) a perfect history cycle before we do the cycle again at the high school level. This is the first time in 7 years of homeschooling that I don't already have the "curriculum itch"--you know, that need to see what else is out there that we will use next year because this isn't quite working--nope, this is working beautifully. My boys have never been happier with school. Even the 15 year old has commented on how well it's going this year and how happy her oldest brother seems. Thanks, Carrie!!

I'm new, but I'm bumping this b/c I've enjoyed reading all of the posts.

Carrie wrote: I am coming to weigh in on what we're thinking more deeply on some of these things, but I want everyone to have a chance to give their 2 cents!

I can't wait to hear more about what you are thinking Carrie!!!

Carrie, this all looks so good....can we BEG you to write guides through highschool????

holyhart wrote:Carrie, this all looks so good....can we BEG you to write guides through highschool????

I'll second that begging.

I'm begging too!

I'm begging 4th too. Please? Please (stomps feet) LOL

Ladies,

You are TOO funny! I guess we should never say never, as I'd not anticipated writing guides through grade 8! So, we'll need to leave it in the Lord's hands, but I appreciate your votes of confidence. I am note-taking on the ideas throughout this thread and have been pondering them for awhile. We have some exciting thoughts on the science that we'll be sharing on this thread soon.

Blessings,
Carrie

Ha! I almost came on the board today to post a vote for HOD high school! At least for 9th and 10th grades... (after that I think we might do dual enrollment with community college...)

So- you have ANOTHER VOTE too!
I would love HOD high school...

You very definitely have my vote of confidence,
Rebecca

Hi Carrie,
I'm behind reading up on the board messages. I was just wondering if any updates to this thread have been posted recently. This note was the end of Oct.
I love hearing about the new Ancients guide and I'd love to see a thread where all the latest info on the new guide could be gathered to read in one spot <hint, hint!>
Charlene

Re: Give your opinion: Science in future guides
by Carrie on Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:32 pm

Ladies,

You are TOO funny! I guess we should never say never, as I'd not anticipated writing guides through grade 8! So, we'll need to leave it in the Lord's hands, but I appreciate your votes of confidence. I am note-taking on the ideas throughout this thread and have been pondering them for awhile. We have some exciting thoughts on the science that we'll be sharing on this thread soon.

Blessings,
Carrie

Charlene,

You are SO right! I need to update this thread, and I had intended to do it before now! Luckily, I have you wonderful ladies to keep me on track.

I am off to work on the new cover for our new book this evening, but I WILL get back to this thread soon.

I also need to get a folder up for the new guide, so we can start compiling these threads in ONE place.

Blessings,
Carrie