After writing our 12th grade plans in THIS POST, I sort of expected someone to ask my why we are not using Apologia Chemistry this year for our chemistry course. Sure enough, I had an email asking about it so I am going to post my response here on the blog in case you are interested in knowing our thinking.
Here is the question:
I have used Teaching Company Chemistry as a supplement when teaching Apologia Chemistry, and I really like the explanations and demonstrations in the new version. I know you have used Apologia texts in the past; would you be willing to share why you chose not to use Apologia Chemistry?
Here is my response:
Honestly, my oldest son, now 23 years old, used Apologia Chemistry and I had a discussion with him that helped me to come to a decision about the text. I asked him what he remembered about chemistry and how he liked the course. He said that he honestly didn't remember much, he felt like he would need to take it again to say he understood chemistry, and he was not impressed either way about the text.
Sort of ho hum.....not the response I wanted. So, it made me rethink using Apologia and how to go about making chemistry a bit more meaningful.
Apologia Chemistry has been somewhat like my experience with the Classical Astronomy book. As much as I tried to just schedule it out and have the boys use it this year, the more I couldn't convince myself. My husband and I decided that our goal is to make chemistry something interesting and to keep it simple. Both of our boys are both having a school year where they are focusing on other subjects so chemistry is sort of taking a backseat. They will more than likely take a chemistry or related class at college so my aim is to give them some exposure, make it interesting, and have them understand the world around them a little better. Neither boy is much interested in chemistry so that is another factor.
One son would rather take astronomy and leave chemistry behind but we made a compromise with the lighter schedule for chemistry so he could study astronomy at the same time. He is only in eleventh grade so we are giving him a little more freedom this year to choose subjects and how to go about studying them.
I still love Apologia and would recommend it for families looking for solid courses in science. I like the format, the style, the voice of Dr. Wylie, the labs are fine, and I think we have had a great experience using Apologia products. It is just the topic of chemistry that has bogged me down.
Now you know.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Just as a note: We used Apologia Flying Creatures and Astronomy in the grammar years. In middle school we used Apologia General and Physical Science. In high school we have used Apologia Biology, Marine Biology, and Physics.
8 comments:
I have mixed it up some, too. I find Apologia Chemistry on its own is not inspiring enough as well, so I take a bit from here and a bit from there. It has taken my own sense of being comfortable with Chemistry (and the teaching of it) to be able to do that. I seem to feel less and less dependant on any one text for any subject.
How funny. I did wonder why you weren't using Apologia. Thanks for the explanation!
Can I just add, as a mom with a minor in Chemistry, that that particular course of all the Apologia ones we've used is the most dry and tedious one ever? And *I* didn't understand everything he was trying to teach. How on earth can I teach it to my kids?
We've used General and Physical Science, Bio and Advanced Bio, and Chemistry. I will say that I'm very grateful to Dr. Wyle for allowing thousands of homeschooled students to remain at home in high school, by providing these courses, but that one definitely needs some retooling.
Barb,
Thank you for this post. I was wondering the very same thing! My daughter will be taking Chemistry next year and I've been looking at Beginnings Publishing House Chemistry. It comes with a huge lab kit. I was wondering if anybody had any experience with that curriculum?
Samantha
That's exactly what we did with Chemistry... although we used Apologia for it. We just handed it over, had them read it, gain exposure, try a few things, and that's it. None are scientifically inclined thus far, but if I have a child who is, I'll have to rethink it.
New to your blog, but I'm liking it!
Chautona
We are studying chemistry this year, too! In fact, I'm teaching it at our co-op. I filled one class (9 students) so we've opened a 2nd class (6 students). We're using Real Science 4 Kids & "The Elements" by Ellen McHenry. And, chemistry is one of my favorite subjects (I'm a science teacher by degree!)and I'm excited about this class.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts & wisdom as always!
Phyllis,
I have been viewing your posts about chemistry and wishing you were here to teach my boys. :)
Thanks Lynn. It is nice to know that it is not just me that has an issue with Apologia Chemistry.
Dana,
I love all of Ellen McHenry's stuff. She is an awesome teacher.
Thanks to everyone for the comments.
Interesting. Honestly, I'm debating whether it was such a good idea to give away our copy of Christian Kids Explore Chemistry. It's simple and to the point--I may ask for it back when the family I gave it to is done in the spring. I honestly think with it and the material in Physical Science its perfectly adequate preparation for anything they want to go on to. Only drawbacks are the HUGE supply list and that it is written to a slightly younger audience.
Like the others I did notice your change and wondered--then when I saw the Joy book in your other post I thought you must have found something you liked better!
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