Apologia Exploring Creation with Biology

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I used this with multiple children and we will always use this!
Grade levels used
10
Pros
My kids loved it because it was interesting and an easy read
Cons
Some if the experiments are a little involved but to be expected in HS sciences.
Do you recommend?
Yes!
AM
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The content is challenging, and that's fine, but where I really struggle is the tests seem to use a different language so to speak than the text, study guide questions, etc.
Grade levels used
9
Pros
Christian
Do you recommend?
maybe
G
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General Science in 7th did not work for my oldest at all, but he asked to go back to Wile for 9th. Okay. Highschool *is* an appropriate time for learning how to cope with a textbook and learn from it at the same time. We'll give it a shot. Maybe GS should have been my clue, but he grew two years since then, and the boy ASKED for it.

By January I waved the white flag, shelved the book, and handed him a Prentice Hall textbook. He was nowhere near the halfway point and thought biology was the worst subject ever.

Now, to be fair, this particular child doesn't particularly like science in general, but it would have taken us two years to finish that book with anything resembling decent scores. It was just too much of a slog. There has to be a less wordy way to get the facts across.

Jay Wile, on the other hand, we love! He personally answered questions we had about experiments via email, and his blog is great for extra articles. I do require my children to read his Reasonable Faith book in highschool. I really *want* to enjoy his textbooks, but it's just not happening for this family.
Grade levels used
9
Pros
one text, written for homeschoolers
Cons
verbose
Do you recommend?
not if I can help it
K
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I have used this text with 3 of my students so far. The first 2 excelled, the 3rd found the amount of vocabulary and the detailed information required on the tests somewhat overwhelming and easy to confuse.

The text is divided into 16 modules, each designed to be covered over a 2 week period. Each module contains On Your Own questions and problem sets sprinkled throughout along with the experiments for that module. These are designed to be completed as the are encountered in the chapter. Each experiment is thoroughly explained as to what should have happened and why it happened, so if you do not do the experiments you can still benefit from them.

At the end of each chapter you will find a study guide with an extensive vocabulary list and several questions on the material covered in that module. Successful completion and understanding of this material will adequately prepare the student for the test. Additional study help can be found in the back of the book in the form of a chapter summary. Chapter summaries contain matching and fill in the blank exercises. The tests are located in a separate booklet and contain a test for each module as well as quarterly tests. These are great for testing long term retention.

Overall I find this to be a very good college preparatory course. This text does not include the human body which is covered in the General Science text. I am looking forward to using this text again this fall with my 9th and 11th graders. This time it will be in a co-op setting which will give us better access to microscopes and lab equipment.

Additional help can be found in the form of study guides at Donna Young's website at http://www.donnayoung.org/apologia/biology1.htm Additionaly the author gives information in the text to contact him directly.
Grade levels used
  • 9
  • 10
Pros
Complete text, student focused, easy to use, college prep
Cons
can be challenging to do experiments at home
Do you recommend?
yes
PF
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Exciting photos and helpful website links.
Marilyn
Grade levels used
12
Pros
Beautiful Cover
Cons
No cons
Do you recommend?
Yes
MC
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I have enjoyed learning beside my daughter using Apologia Biology.
Grade levels used
9
Pros
Easy to follow text. Through study guides
Do you recommend?
Yes
JG
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We've long loved all Apologia science in our homeschool. After completing this biology book, my high school aged daughter decided that she loved science enough to pursue it as a career. This textbook, though having pretty involved reading, reads in a conversational manner, not dull and dry as some textbooks.

There is a clear Christian worldview, but belief statements are not just thrown out- God created the world because we said so. Instead there is much time taken to emphasize the scientific information and discoveries and knowledge and to show that there are clear scientific reasons why we can have a Christian worldview of science.
Grade levels used
9
Pros
Easy to use with questions at breaks throughout the reading and reviews and tests for every chapter
Cons
Heavy reading
Do you recommend?
yes
LC
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My son and I went through this with a group of friends. The content is clear but I wouldn't say it is easy. I would recommend a group experience in order to enjoy the material together, help one another clarify concepts and also to keep each other going at a steady pace. It is a lot of material to cover within a school year so keeping on track is important in order to absorb all of the info and retain it. Excellent coverage of the topic.
Grade levels used
10
Pros
Thorough lab science
Do you recommend?
yes
R
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My son used this in his biology co-op. He enjoyed reading it and able to understand concepts. I liked the list of vocabulary words each chapter , along with the review questions.
My son went on to college, majoring in biology. ☺
Grade levels used
9
Do you recommend?
yes
MA
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My son did 3 Apologia courses in High School and Biology was his favorite. So much so, that he asked me to hang onto the book after the course was finished.
Grade levels used
10
Pros
Engaging
Do you recommend?
Yes
SP
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We used the full course on CD-ROM. My son enjoys science and he really enjoyed this text. He learned a lot from this course. We will continue using Apologia for science.
Grade levels used
9
Do you recommend?
Yes
RC
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This is excellent material! I believe that it is even above high school level. A lot of information, but words it in a way that the average mom brain (that's me) can understand and explain.
Grade levels used
10
Pros
Very detailed
Cons
A lot of information
Do you recommend?
YES! 100% YES!
PS
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We decided to take a year and a half to cover this material and used Vocabulary Vines' Science Roots to help us learn the vocabulary. That made a huge difference. It is so much material, it was better to take our time covering it. My science-minded student was younger (last half of 7th and all of 8th grade) when doing it and was still able to master the material.
Grade levels used
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Pros
Very informative
Cons
Volume of vocabulary!
Do you recommend?
Yes
WJ
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My kids seem to enjoy it.
Grade levels used
  • 6
  • 9
Pros
Christian
Do you recommend?
Yes
S
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This Biology covers all the basics plus much more. I feel it is above a high school level course. It can be challenging to get through all the vocabulary but it is an excellent course.
Grade levels used
9
Do you recommend?
Yes
AJ
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Apology biology curriculum uses a conversational approach which engages the student in the reading. The experiments are appropriate for a homeschool setting and options are provided for families who did not have the use of a microscope. The supplemental cd is a great addition to the curriculum and includes short clips of video, vocabulary pronunciations and much more.
Grade levels used
9
Do you recommend?
Yes
MC
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really liked it
Grade levels used
5
Do you recommend?
yes
W
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I love all of the apologia we have used
Biology was a bit much for us
So we are taking a break
Grade levels used
9
Pros
great material well written
Cons
a bit much for my 9th grader
Do you recommend?
yes !!! best material
JW
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I love apologia science. My oldest son just finished biology and loved it. It was very thorough, but easy to understand. He loved using the microscope and loved the experiments.
Grade levels used
9
Pros
Thorough coverage of biology, but very easy for the student to understand.
Cons
No cons
Do you recommend?
Yes
L
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My son loves this curricula. Thank you for helping him to see the amazing world of science! Apologia is the best!
Grade levels used
9
Pros
Excellent and fun
Cons
No cons
Do you recommend?
Yes
SS
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