Homeschool high school science and language arts suggestions?

Question

I homeschool my 2 kids, daughter pretty much done at this point. Used Rainbow Science by Beginnings Publishing for her science, which covered physics, biology and chemistry. Liked it a lot, however the chemistry was challenging for her with all the detailed math and I KNOW it will just blow my son's mind and he will not even attempt it.

Any good ideas on good chemistry homeschool curriculum that is secular -- I've heard Apologia is good, but is it overly Christian based? I'm Christian, but do not want my curriculum to just be so over the top with Christian based work that it is too much.

Also be interested in some Language Arts homeschool curriculums people liked. Used Alpha Omega for my daughter, a little overly Christian, but mostly just too advanced and detailed for my son -- he is dysgraphic and it just won't work for him.

Thanks for any ideas!!

Answer 1

Apologia is the best I've seen - it's the one set of books that my son won't allow me to sell or give away.  Dr. Wile is unashamedly Christian, but he does give all viewpoints.  Also, the book is very well laid out and in-depth, but easy to use.  It also offers MP3 and CDRom supplements, which are incredible.

For Language Arts, I would suggest something like Easy Grammar (little prep) or Shurley (more prep).  LifePacs, I'm not terribly impressed with.  Honestly, my dyslexic son really enjoys Shurley, and many of my high school Latin students use Easy Grammar Plus, and have used Shurley.

For writing, IEW...and for lit analysis, either Teaching the Classics or Lightning Lit.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

My son is dysgraphic too!  For high school english we're using "Movies as Literature"    It's an awesome program.

http://www.designastudy.com/products/189...

It's supposed to be a one year program but can easily be made into longer for those kdis who have a tougher time with writing.     We just finished watching Indiana Jones.  *grin*

Answer 3

Yeah, send your kids to a real school.

Answer 4

Yes Apologia is very good as far as Chem goes but yes it tends to be very Christian based...to the point of making us wonder at times if he was being truly objective in the lessons. I'd not let that stop you...just filter a bit and make sure you are communicating well when your son has any questions.

Answer 5

I am using the Apologia program currently and really like it! I have heard that chemistry is one of their best. Of course, the professor is a christian, and he warns you in the books how he is going to be biased over certain views. But he says every science book is going to be biased however hard the writer tries. He will give you the view points of everybody, and tell you what his view point is.

The good things about the Apologia books is that when you read it, it is almost like you are having a conversation with Dr. Wile (the professor.) During the lessons there are questions that he will have you think about and have you write down your answer. During the lessons he might stop you for an experiment to try to help you become clear on what he is talking about.

I took a public school textbook in my 5th grade year for science. I remember reading that first chapter over and over again, trying as hard as I could to figure what they were talking about. No learning was taking place, just struggling. From then on I thought I hated science. But then this last year I really wanted to take science up again, by textbook I mean. I decided to see if there were any good homeschool textbooks. I found this one had great reviews and I tried it out. Ever since science has been one of my favorite subjects! Yes, he makes you study hard, he warns you at the beginning that you are going to have to pay attention and study. But for those students who go in with an open mind, it will be easy for them to pay attention because everything is so interesting! Of course the studying problem takes care of itself with motivation for good grades on your tests (tests and prep tests are included.)