Apologia Physical Science Middle School Curriculum

Prepare your child for high school science by using Apologia’s Physical Science middle school curriculum designed for 8th graders!

Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Physical Science is a junior high / middle school science curriculum designed for use with 8th graders. It is perfect for preparing students for the transition from elementary level science into the more independent learning approaches and techniques required in high school level science.

I received this product free of charge for review purposes and was compensated for my time. All opinions expressed in this post are my own and I was not required to post a positive review of the product.

Three of my five children have used Apologia’s Physical Science curriculum and we have nothing but great things to say about it! And, yes, my two youngest who are currently using Apologia’s General Science curriculum will graduate to their Physical Science curriculum next year!

If you can’t tell, we are smitten with Apologia Science! In fact, my older twins are currently using their Chemistry curriculum and my daughter is taking their Advanced Biology course!

Apologia Physical Science: Perfect for Middle Schoolers!

Middle school / junior high is an interesting time for a kid. They are developing both physically and mentally. It is during this time in which they advance from concrete thoughts to ability to think and process more abstract concepts.

Many kids at this age vacillate between acting or thinking like a little kid yet desiring to do what the big kids are doing. It truly is a “transitional time” for most pre-teens and teens. I love that Apologia takes all of this into account with their science curriculum designed especially for this age group!

Exploring Creation with Physical Science guides the student and prepares them to become independent learners! Apologia knows that these young minds not only need the solid foundation that the curriculum provides, but they also need to be shown how to problem solve, how to hypothesize, how to think deeply and independently! That is why their middle school curriculum is the perfect springboard into high school science!

I saw one of my 7th graders flipping through the Physical Science textbook. He said, “Mom, who is this science book for?” I told him that he and his twin bro would use it next year after they completed their currently Apologia General Science course. His response was classic! “Good, ’cause it’s a lot bigger!”

Before you start to think that my son is so studious that he’s excited for a bigger science book next year, let me just stop you right there! He’s glad that he’s not using it this school year!

But, again, that just goes to show how thoughtful Apologia was in creating their middle school science courses. Yes, the Physical Science book is a little thicker than the General Science book, but that’s how it should be!

My son was relived that his first taste of middle school science is with a smaller textbook. But that smaller textbook will prepare him so that when I hand him the Physical Science book next year, he’ll be ready for it! I just love how Apologia helps you navigate this highly transitional time!

The Ultimate Homeschool Science Resource for Middle Schoolers

How, exactly, does Apologia prepare 8th graders for high school level science? I’ve got three words for you: The Student Notebook! Ya’ll, the Exploring Creation with Physical Science text is great, but the Student Notebook is everything!

According to Apologia, the purpose of the Student Notebook is to “guide your student toward becoming more structured, logical, factual, and most importantly, independent!”

That is exactly what the Student Notebook does! It instructs the student in successfully taking notes. It guides them in experimental processes quality lab reports. Through the Student Notebook, the student learns to analyze and create graphic materials. It leads them through the concept of processing the textbook materials and essentially shows them how to become independent learners!

Physical Science Purchasing Options

Apologia provides two main Physical Science sets of choose from: the Basic Set and the Advantage Set™, plus a few additional options.

Option 1: The Exploring Creation with Physical Science, 3rd Edition, Basic Set™ includes:

the softcover textbook
the solutions/tests manual
a set of test pages

My Suggestion: Do yourself a favor and do NOT go with Option 1, the Basic Set. Why? Because the Basic Set does NOT include the Student Notebook! In my opinion, the notebook is absolutely essential for this course! Yes, it becomes an amazing resource and study tool for the student as they complete all their labs, On Your Own questions, study guides, assignments, and more inside of it.

But, the Student Notebook is so much more! It is the essence and basis for which the student learns and prepares for high school level science. It is the Student Notebook which guides them into becoming “more structured, logical, factual, and most importantly, independent!”

If you don’t get the companion Student Notebook for your child, I believe you are under utilizing this Physical Science course and diminishing some of the promise it provides! Basically, your child really does need the Student Notebook!

Option 2: The Exploring Creation with Physical Science, 3rd Edition, Advantage Set™ includes:

everything from the Basic Set, PLUS
the Student Notebook

My Suggestion: Go with Option 2, the Advantage Set. Why? Because it includes the Student Notebook! Need I say more?

Additional Options: There are a few additional choices you have when it comes to the Exploring Creation with Physical Science, 3rd Edition textbook. You can select a physical, audio, or digital version. The MP3 audio CD of the text is great for auditory learners while the eBook of the text can be ideal for those who prefer the portability of an electronic version. Call me “old school,” but I prefer the physical version of the textbook.

However you decide to access the textbook (physical, audio, or digital) is completely up to you and what’s best for your child! But, I suggest that you make sure you get the Student Notebook to go along with the text! You will be so glad you did!

Win an Apologia Biology or Chemistry Set:

After you head over and purchase Apologia Physical Science for your middle schooler, be sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win the Apologia Biology or Chemistry set.

No, your middle schooler is probably not be ready for biology or chemistry…YET! But, they will be after completing the Apologia Physical Science curriculum! And, wouldn’t it be awesome if you already had it on hand for the following school year because you won it right here? Yep, so go ahead and enter to win!