Help your homeschool student transition into middle school science by using a curriculum that promotes independent, life-long learning!
Maybe it’s just me, but when I find something that WORKS, I like to stick with it! It’s no different when it comes to homeschool curriculum! We have been using Apologia for science for five years now, from middle school and on into high school. In fact, my daughter just finished up Chemistry and Health & Nutrition (read my review here)! My older boys just finished Physical Science and will be starting Biology in the fall.
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.
However, since I tend to be a girl who doesn’t like change, I was a bit hesitant to consider using the NEW Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition. You see, all three of my older kiddos used the 2nd edition. You know the one, with the boy and the “muscle” man on the front!
I started to ask myself:
Do I really need to switch to the 3rd edition for my younger boys?
Do I really need to purchase a whole new textbook for them to use?
The 2nd edition worked for my older kids, why shouldn’t I just continue and use it with my younger kiddos as well? You know, like I said, when it works, stick with it!
Ya’ll, the debate in my mind was REAL! That is, until…I got my hands on the 3rd edition! I L.O.V.E it!
Change *Can* be a Good Thing
…and sometimes it is EXACTLY what you need! While the content of the 3rd edition of the course is still rooted in the Bible and the firm belief that God created the heavens and the Earth, the course itself is so much better than the 2nd edition! I am loving all of the changes (says the girl who doesn’t like change!)
Let me explain… my older three kids are very academic minded and they had no trouble whatsoever with the transition from elementary level work to middle school level work. The shift to more independent studies just came natural to them and they easily excelled with the added workload.
However, I have not yet noticed these same traits in my younger boys. I can already tell they will need a little (maybe a lot) more guidance and instruction.
In fact, my older three children have come to me a number of time expressing concern about how well their younger brothers are going to be able to adapt and handle the work for 7th grade science.
In the back of my mind, I just figured that with a little help, I could get them up to speed. But, secretly, I knew that it would be much more of an uphill climb than I (or they) would like.
Y’all, the Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd edition is THE answer to our problem! No, my younger boys are not as ready to tackle middle school level science as my older kids were.
BUT, with the 3rd edition, Apologia has taken this into account! It’s almost as if they knew that I was having concerns and they decided to make a new textbook and student notebook just for us! {wink, thanks Apologia!}
Why the 3rd Edition is Better
This science course is explicitly designed to prepare students as they transition into middle school. It helps guide them onward from the elementary level science, while gently preparing them from high school science.
The folks at Apologia decided that in order to truly make this 3rd edition a more effective transitional science course for the crucial middle school age, they had to “rethink and rewrite how we instruct the student in note-taking success, the experimental processes, how to analyze and create graphic materials, how to think through and beyond the textbook materials, and essentially how to think logically and independently.”
Apologia goes on to say:
Middle school-aged students are going through physical and mental development. They transition from the ability to understand concrete thoughts to comprehending abstract ideas and processes. Apologia’s Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition is specifically designed to help your student make this transition from sixth grade into middle school and become a more independent, life-long learner.” ~Apologia
And, that is EXACTLY what they did! I am so thrilled with the changes because I truly believe that my younger boys will thrive and will ultimately become independent, life-long learners!
Instead of being expected to just know how to take notes and write lab reports, the student notebook interactively guides and teaches them proper note-taking techniques and step-by-step prepares them to write both formal and informal lab reports!
The 3rd Edition provides the needed guidance and instruction for them to be successful in making the transition from elementary science to middle school science and I am SO excited about it!
About Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition
Now that I’ve told you all about how Apologia has made this homeschool middle school science course so much more conducive for us, you may be wondering exactly what is included.
Well, the course is obviously designed for middle schoolers, most typically seventh graders. However, the course can be taken by students as young as sixth grade or as late as eighth grade.
This is truly a general science course, as it covers a wide array of science topics! Check out the table of contents:
1. The History of Science
2. Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific Method
3. Documenting and Interpreting Experimental Results
4. Scientific Analysis and History
5. Earth Science – Astronomy
6. Earth Science – Geology and Paleontology
7. Earth Science – Meteorology and Oceanography
8. General Chemistry
9. General Physics
10. Life Science
11. General Biology
12. The Oceans of the Earth
13. Environmental Science
14. Science and Creation
Included within the textbook and companion student notebook (which is required) are:
- 29 formal experiments, only one formal lab report is required per module
- 47 optional Explore More activities that are quick and easy, designed to help students truly comprehend the concepts they are learning
- Tests provided for each module, however, students are given many study helps via their student notes within the Student Notebook, and a practice Study Guide once they complete a module
- Complete step-by-step grading rubrics are provided to the parents, showing how to calculate a module grade from the student’s module test, lab work, and character displayed throughout the module
- A daily schedule to help your student plan their work and work more independently
Visit Apologia to read more about the 3rd edition!
Out with the Old, In with the New
I know I said that I’m the one who likes to stick with what’s working! But, when you find something that is going to not just work, but work WAY BETTER, making the change is a no-brainer! Bye-bye 2nd edition. Hello 3rd edition!
I am no longer worried about my younger boys tackling middle school science. Thanks to Apologia, I’m confident that they will be successful!
Connect with Apologia via social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram
Win Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition!
The folks at Apologia are generously giving away a Super Set of the Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition curriculum. Enter to win below! Giveaway prize will be shipped to USA addresses only.
Can’t wait?
Head over to Apologia and purchase Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition for your child! Creating independent learners is possible and Apologia helps to do just that with this new and improved transitional course for middle schoolers! Check it out here!
DIY Colored Sand Tutorial
Leave a Reply