a friend recommended using the High School level books starting in 3rd grade and going at a slower pace rather than getting the elementary level books. I would appreciate thoughts from those who have used this curriculum. Thanks!
There's no way I would do that. I think the general science book is WAY to complicated for a child that young!!! I suppose that you could read it to yourself (rather than read it to your child) and then use the info as a FRAMEWORK, but you'd be really hustling to make it work. Also, you might consider it if you had a REALLY advanced child. I just can't see it, though.
The younger elementary are WONDERFUL! There is an elem. apologia yahoo group with the author as a member who replies daily to posts and the Files section has many extras above what even the Apologia site has for free download. We're using Zoo 2 now and love it (even my non-science loving daughter).
we are using general science this year for ds 12, and physical science for dd 13. dd really likes it. ds is struggling to adjust to the higher standards expected now that he is yr 7. I would definitely not recommend it for younger kids. I do wish, though, that I found out about the elementary ones when my kids were younger.
I don't know WHY you would want to do that when the elementary ones are awesome. We are doing Zoology 1 Flying Creatures and both my kids are loving it. It's very complete and I even heard my kids tell other kids some of the stuff they learned about birds when they were talking about our chickens!
I have kids in both right now. My 4th graders are in the Zoology 1, and my 6th grader is in General Science. There is NO WAY I'd use General Science for a 3rd grader. My very smart 6th grader struggled with the first chapter. The elementary science ones are great. All my kids have enjoyed them (even my oldest sits in on the lessons in addition to her own science!!
I wouldn't recommend it -my 12 yr old ds started General Science (and loves it btw - me too!) this year and, while he's not struggling with it, it is definitely thought provoking and probably not material a 3rd grader could handle.
I can understand why some would not like the Apologia for elementary grades. The submersion approach is not for everyone. However the Apologia books for the older grades are vigorous, and might not be suited for lower grades.
I'm doing Physical Science and Biology with my high schoolers. It's awesome curriculum, but I cannot imagine a 3rd grader grasping it. My 3rd grader loves science and is doing very well with the elementary Apologia books. If you want to view samples from the books, you can view them at cbd.com.
Although not the intent of the thread...I think I will be looking into Apologia for next term. I used....now I totally forget....it was by answers in genesis...geesh..well anyway I didn't like it at all.
Thanks for your input, one more question. So there are 5 books for the Elementary level. Do I go through the whole set in a year? One book a year? How does that work?
We are stretching ours out to one book this year. But you could easily do more than one I would think. I don't think all five would be easy to squeeze in though.
