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RE: Apologia - 12/12/2007 4:19:48 PM
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butterflynjesus
Posts: 17
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: San Diego
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J has been doing the PS book since 9th grade. He hasn't finished it yet. He's a junior this year. He hates science, well he dislikes school work in general  , but he doesn't like science and thinks it's useless information. I got the book having heard so many great things about it and I even emailed Dr. Wile before, but we had little help. I hope our girls do better when they start the book next year. Of course I think his lack of caring, enthusiam, and attitude have greatly affected his learning and is the reason why it's taking so long. He has to keep taking the modules over again because he's either not reading to learn, not taking effective notes, or he's just not understanding the information because he doesn't always pass the tests. He says it's too hard or confusing or that he shouldn't be expected to do such work without a teacher's help. So I read the module myself, take notes, and create study sheets which is a lot of work. I'm going to save them and type them up so the girls can use them as worksheets if they want next year. He has ADHD so that might be part of his problem. All of my kids like workbooks and he says the OYO isn't enough to help him. He wants workbooks or worksheets to go along with the reading. I tried telling him his own notes should do the trick, but that involves him having to figure out what should be in notes and actual writing which he's a allergic too. I got him the read along CD too and he complains he's too slow pased for him. We also have the CD companion for illustrations and he says it's cheesy.
He enjoyed the experiments for the most part though, but I still don't think he knows how to keep a good lab notebook or fill one out correctly. The experiments were fun though and we took pictures and put some up on our flickr acct.
I can't afford the GS book yet, but as soon as I can I'll get the girls going in that because they will be in 9th grade next year and I'd like to have them finish the GS book first. We have the abeka science book and so far it's not doing the trick so they are going back over their apologia Botany book. I got them a HS level coloring book for botany to supplement it because it's under their grade level.
I'd love to have advice from those who have kids who have done the GS book. Especially if your kids aren't into science and have a hard time with memorization. Have you found any additional resources to enhance the science text? How long did it take your child to finish the book?
I wonder if apologia isn't the best selection for kids with ADHD, who need extra help. My girls have a better attitude about learning, but their math is weak and that's where J struggled with the most I think. The first part involved math and since he did poorly he was discouraged. He also had a hard time with the memorization of terms etc. I think in general though, if he put more effort forward he'd do better, but he complains that the book is too hard and difficult to do on his own. Yet, I chose apologia for the committed to a biblical worldview, intregrity in science, and ease of learning. I read it and enjoy it when I have the time and take my own notes and do the OYO without checking for the answers and I've learned a lot. Then again, I have always loved science and learning, whereas he doesn't.
I had hoped J would have finished biology last year, but like I said, he's still plodding through PS.  I really do still hope he'll get this done already and that he can do biology. He needs at least two years of science anyways so I'm praying and holding my breath. I should say that I never tried a difference science curriculum with J as I had changed some of his other texts per his request and I couldn't afford to buy another science book after the investment I had made. Plus, if he wasn't finishing the other books, I wasn't going to expect he'd do so with a different science book. I just hope I didn't try to force J to do a text that truly was over his head.
_____________________________
Melissa
Wife to my HS sweetheart
Mom to J-17, S-15, M-14, & LiL' J-7
I'm like a butterfly;2 Cor 5:17
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RE: Apologia - 12/12/2007 5:24:35 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
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Dear Melissa,
I hear your heart and frustration in your note here. It is difficult with a student with ADHD to know which way to go. The fact that you have tried other things with your student and pretty much got the same responses says to me that it is not the Apologia text. It sounds more like your student has a general apathy toward learning because it is such a chore for J. The negativity expressed here tells the story: he does not see himself as successful or able to succeed with this curriculum. I would rather you junk the book than have him finish out his HS hating science.
Instead of making him "complete" the curriculum as written, why don't you try letting him select the items that interest him for an in-depth study? I am sure there is one thing in each module that peaks his curiosity. Let him pick the topics and study those out through web sites that grab his interest. (I have several sites for each Module to help him get started.) You could do the same with biology. Anything that helps J focus on a topic for a period of time is better than forced compliance to a standard curriculum.
As far as helps for Apologia, we have several people working on flash cards, consumable worksheets, and other study aids at this time. (You might consider formalizing your helps and submitting a sample to Dr. Jay. You never know he may just help you publish them.) You should see some of these helps hit the market in the next catalog or certainly by 2009.
As a side note, Apologia has been used by hundreds of ADHD students successfully. It is consistently praised as the easiest course to read and master for these students. I see switching to another curriculum at this time as setting J up for failure.
Hope that helps.
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/12/2007 8:19:14 PM
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acrowther
Posts: 52
Joined: 11/30/2007
From: NE KS
Status: offline
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Steve,
My daughter is currently in Apologia's Physical Science. She's a little behind the recommended pace because of her work load. She's taking three courses from an online school (I think you can guess which one), and we put priority on those. But now she has expressed a preference for math and science, which she is not taking online. My question is...do you think doing the course at home is adequate preparation for taking the next course in a class setting? I'm thinking of adding Biology to her online schedule next year, but am wondering if it's too writing intensive. I should add that my daughter is currently in 7th grade, but is doing Teaching Textbooks Algebra I and Apologia PS. Do you think she would do better if she does PS online next year, and then move on to Biology?
Your thoughts are much appreciated.
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RE: Apologia - 12/12/2007 8:58:37 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
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Dear acrowther,
The Apologia programs are designed to be done as independent home study. Your home-based efforts should be MORE than adequate for you to take the next course, in or out of Potter's School. If you want to look at the live-feed, online, Potter's School biology program please visit my web site below, click on Cleo's Science Classroom, and then the live-feed biology program. The complete syllabus, course schedule, assignment supplement, lab report examples, and a sample class recording can be viewed or listened to from the site. It should help answer your questions about writing requirements.
Hope that helps.
Steve
www.redwagontutorials.com
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RE: Apologia - 12/13/2007 8:05:45 AM
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Ellie-Mae
Posts: 4228
Joined: 4/9/2005
From: The EMPIRE state!
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I can't get the links on the left side of that page to act like links. The menu is acting like normal text.
_____________________________
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He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
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RE: Apologia - 12/13/2007 10:07:37 AM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
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Are you using Internet Explorer 7.0 as your browser/search engine and do you have any security software in place which could be blocking the links? I have 4 different PC's and have tested the links on Mac systems. They work just fine on PC's and Mac. Not sure why they would not work for you unless you are using a operating system that does not support Word based web pages.
You can e-mail me if you can't get the links to work and I can send you the links as a direct, non-web-page download.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Steve
< Message edited by rosenon -- 12/13/2007 10:18:17 AM >
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RE: Apologia - 12/13/2007 11:15:09 AM
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Ellie-Mae
Posts: 4228
Joined: 4/9/2005
From: The EMPIRE state!
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I just figured that something happened at the site because I am using a Mac with Fire Fox. I don't usually have problems. I don't know what security software I have, but it isn't much since I have never had problems with it.
I'll PM you my email. I like to keep up on what is available out there.
_____________________________
Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
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RE: Apologia - 12/13/2007 3:22:30 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
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That is really weird. Apparently, FireFox has some kind of compatiablity issues with Word 2007 prepared web pages which contain links. If you still have IE 7.0 on your machine as a back up browser, then I would try opening the pages in IE 7.0. I just tried them again with four different PC's - having three different operating system and three different brower configurations - and had my wife open the pages on her Mac OS 10 at school. They all opened the pages just fine and all the links worked. It even worked in an AOL browser window which REALLY amazed me ... I have not had great luck with AOL in the past.
Guess you FireFox users won't be able to use my site until I convert the Word based pages over to html based productions. Are you sure you have the newest version of FireFox? Maybe there is a fix in the latest and greatest.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Steve
< Message edited by rosenon -- 12/13/2007 4:14:24 PM >
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RE: Apologia - 12/13/2007 11:11:12 PM
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lifeisgoodwgod
Posts: 72
Joined: 1/28/2006
From: Western NC
Status: offline
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Sorry I have not responded before, but no time you know. We are teaching Apologia Physical Science in a co op with 9 children from 18(developmentally delayed) thru age 10(advanced). What a range! But the children come to class prepared and are very excited each week. It is such a blessing to have so many hands raised on each question. This is our second year as a co op as we did General Science last year and are already planning on next year for Biology. We have one mom who graduated 4 children already(all homeschooled) and now homeschools the other 5(4 are in our class) and she is amazed at how wonderful Apologia is. ALL the children retain what they read and complete the experiments with continued success. I am always amazed how simple the experiments are and how successful we are in completing them and learning from them. I really don't feel any other curriculum could be more accurate.
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RE: Apologia - 12/14/2007 11:57:24 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
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WOW!!!!! I am going to forward this one to Dr. Wile's private e-mail. Thanks so much for the wonderful post. You make me proud to be part of Apologia all over again.
God Bless,
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/16/2007 2:20:59 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Hi Folks,
I have a favor to ask. I have now had three folks write me that the sidebars on my web site and linked web pages do not work. All three of the folks are on different operating systems and different browsers. I am trying to isolated the problem. Could I ask anyone reading this note to just simply open my web site below and click on any side bar link and see if it works for you? If they do not work could you please send me a note to rosenon@apologia.com and tell me so. Please include the type of browser you use (FireFox, IE, Safari, etc.) so I can isolate the problem operating systems. I want to make my Apologia study aids available to you for this next year but need to get the links working for everyone so I can distribute.
Thanks so much for your help. This is not a marketing thing. I really do need your help.
God Bless,
Steve
< Message edited by rosenon -- 12/16/2007 2:36:06 PM >
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RE: Apologia - 12/17/2007 4:14:53 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Hi Again,
Thanks to all those folks that helped me by trying the link above. It turns out it is a FireFox problem. I have contact the company and they are working on a fix. If you have Firefox, you will need to open my web pages in Internet Explorer to make the links work. FireFox does not play well with Word 2007 created web pages at this time; whereas, IE does. They hope to have a fix shortly.
Merry Christmas, and keep those questions coming.
God Bless,
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/19/2007 12:50:17 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Hi All,
For those of you using Apologia biology, I have a lesson for you. If you are following the typical school year schedule, you are probably just getting to or finishing Module 6. Here is a wonderful web site for you:
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm
This site shows snowflakes captured as they fall and displays the glory of their individualized creation. I use this site when we talk about the uniqueness of the proteins our bodies produce. No two people on planet earth have EXACTLY the same proteins (antigens) on their cell membranes, except identical twins. That's because proteins are produced from DNA code and your code is individualized in you. The cell membrane proteins you produce identify your cells as belong to you. You are as unique as a snowflake from a biochemical standpoint. The Bible declares that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Nobody on earth is like you, unless you are blessed to be an identical twin. Even twins are subjected to spiritual and environmental factors that make them different, however. You are special, and only you can do the things God has called you to do in your own unique way. That fact makes you valuable to society, your Church, and to God's plan.
Hope that helps with your discussion of protein synthesis this year. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.
God Bless,
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/19/2007 1:15:11 PM
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cynthia
Posts: 7448
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
Status: online
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Thanks, Steve. That is a beautiful thought. I'll have to check that out.
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It’s not all good. In fact a lot of it is really bad. If you think it’s all good, you haven’t been paying attention.
See the baby eagles: http://wavelit.com/index.php?view=EaglesNestLive
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RE: Apologia - 12/20/2007 11:13:37 AM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Dear Sue,
Thanks for that input. I am audio recording my physical science and chemistry lectures this next summer for distribution. I had not thought of using the snowflakes with that section of the chem book. You just helped me make the class even better. I am sure the Africian missionary kids who listen to the recordings next year will get a kick out of the snowflake analogy. I teach 195 kids live-feed each year and am hoping for an equal number of audio recording students next year also. God is using my voice mightily.
Merry Christmas, and thanks again.
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/21/2007 7:45:41 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Hi Everyone,
For those of you doing Apologia Marine Biology, I ran across this great dolphin web site:
http://www.natures-spirit.com/pages/stock/dp.html
It is really very inspiring to see these wonderful God created creatures in their natural environment. Echolcation - the location of objects by their echos - is a highly specialized faculty that enables dolphins to explore their environment and search out their prey in a watery world where sight is often of little use. As sound travels four and a half times faster in water than in air, the dolphin's brain must be extremely well adapted in order to make a rapid analysis of the complicated information provided by the echoes.
The echolocation system of the dolphin is extremely sensitive and complex. Using only its acoustic senses, a bottlenose dolphin can discriminate between practically identical objects which differ by ten per cent or less in volume or surface area. It can do this in a noisy environment, can whistle and echolocate at the same time, and echolocate on near and distant targets simultaneously - feats which leave human sonar experts gasping. Just imagine listening to every person in your house simultaneously Christmas morning and you can see how really special dolphins are in their natural environment.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Merry Christmas,
Steve
< Message edited by rosenon -- 12/22/2007 3:09:17 PM >
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RE: Apologia - 12/22/2007 3:20:15 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Thanks, Cindy. It is my plan to post one special web site or vignette each week from the classes I teach. The Apologia helpline (help@apologia.com) is great for answering questions about the curriculums. I want to share the nuts and bolts of great ways to instruct the materials through this forum. There are lots of hints that I have learned over the six years I have been teaching the classes. It is my hope that I gain some insights from others also. I am sure there are some very talent parents out there that have used Apologia and have lots of good shortcuts, links, and lessons to share. I hope they discover this set of postings and share what they know and use also.
Merry Christmas, and please spread the word about this forum :-)
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/26/2007 10:36:03 AM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Hi Everyone,
For those of you doing general science on a typical September to June school-year calendar, you should be getting to Module 8 after the holidays. Here is a great site for you:
http://www.christiananswers.net/creation/menu-fossils.html
This site contains links to those hard to answer questions about the fossil record you may have encountered. I use it to help folks stuck in an evolutionary argument to see that there are other explanations for life on earth than organic evolution. If I can help with the catastrophism vs uniformitarian agruments, please ask. I don't want to debate here, but I will be happy to provide you web sites which support a Creation viewpoint.
Hope you like the site.
Happy New Year,
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/27/2007 12:16:26 PM
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rosenon
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: Washington State
Status: offline
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Hi Everyone,
This site is for everyone to post their best Apologia science lesson plans. I want to learn from you also. We have a MULTITUDE of talent here. I plan on posting a weekly lesson or vignette. If you have a great one, please consider posting it, a link to it, or an attachment containing it.
As Cynthia said in the first post, I can help with science questions. But I also want to hear from you about those inspired Apologia lesson plans and learn from your insightful vignettes. Let's make this forum a two-way street.
God Bless,
Steve
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RE: Apologia - 12/27/2007 4:04:33 PM
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and my kids really enjoyed both of those sites. Those snowflakes are seriously cool! Thanks for taking the time to share with us.