Thanks for you honesty on Apologia. I also homeschool just one daughter and I really just could never get never get excited with their "one science topic for the year" approach. I love that BB has their books set up in chronological order. Seems like an effective approach. We use Sonlight for Scinece which is literature based. We love it and have no plans to switch anytime soon. However, Berean Builders is now offered through Sonlight in the high school years so i know it must be incredible as I feel Sonlight chooses their suggestions wisely. Good luck and im loving your channel! New subscriber 🔬🧬👩🏼🔬
@sarahdimitrov649025 минут бұрын
We loveeeee berean builders! It gets my kids thinking like a scientist! The experiments are simple, clear and effective, the worldview is biblical, the price point is amazing, the family style, we love it. And you can grow all the way with It into high school
@Making_Homeschool_Happen22 минут бұрын
@@sarahdimitrov6490 yasssss!!! I agree with all of this! 😃
@audreymcnair3503 сағат бұрын
We’re using BB this year and really enjoy it. I think it’s the first science that I’m not either overwhelmed by, or that’s too easy that my kid has learned nothing. It’s been perfect!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen3 сағат бұрын
@@audreymcnair350 omg! You just described our experience as well. Not overwhelmed and not too easy!! This this this!!!
@wvfarmersdaughter6 сағат бұрын
Thanks for your honesty. True teachers can reflect on their work.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 сағат бұрын
@@wvfarmersdaughter awww thank you. I definitely think recognizing one’s own mistakes and shortcomings is important to consistently change and improve.
@tammyschilling53626 сағат бұрын
I had to use Apologia when I taught CC. It is BAD. Just a lot of wrong information that I was constantly correcting. The writing style is supposed to be chatty and approachable, but I just found it tedious. I would also never use Berean, because it's written by the same guy. I don't do a science curriculum before late middle school with my own kids. Before that, we do a TON of nature study, which is real science that young people can actually do. Before late middle they don't have the math or cognition for real science, it's just a waste of time.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 сағат бұрын
@@tammyschilling5362 Dr. Wile didn’t author any of the elementary Apologia. He edited a few of them (he explains this in his blog). He wrote some of the upper level science books, only a couple of which are still available through Apologia. As with any curriculum, it’s all trial and error. Some things work great for some and not for others so I understand deciding not to use either of these if they aren’t a good fit. I don’t really feel like what I’m doing with my child is a waste of time but I’m glad you found a method that works well for your family. 😊
@wvfarmersdaughter6 сағат бұрын
Purple is bible or ELA for me
@Making_Homeschool_Happen6 сағат бұрын
@@wvfarmersdaughter I’m starting to feel like LA might be purple too. 🤣🤣🤣
@KellysKidz7 сағат бұрын
Thank you for the info! I haven't really heard of Berean Builders so i will definitely look into it! We just started botany this year 🤪😆 oh and science is definitely green, math is red, language arts is blue. 😂
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 сағат бұрын
@@KellysKidz They all have colors! I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way! 🤣
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 сағат бұрын
@@KellysKidz something else to know and I just thought to tell you… the author of the Berean Builders books used to be with Apologia. He actually wrote some of the upper level books (they still use one or two from him). He left Apologia and then officially separated from them and started Berean Builders. 😊
@christinarae-ann941217 сағат бұрын
I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying Berean Builders. We are starting the first in the series and I'm really hoping it will work for us. It isn't a science curriculum that is talked about much so I'm thankful for the positive review! 😊
@Making_Homeschool_Happen17 сағат бұрын
@@christinarae-ann9412 we are really loving it! I hope it works well for you! 😊
@fab5bailey36920 сағат бұрын
We are using TGTB science units and enjoy them for 6th grade. But next year we may switch up and use BB for the short lessons and science kits. My question is do you add in science videos or just read and do the experiments?
@Making_Homeschool_Happen19 сағат бұрын
@@fab5bailey369 we just read and do the experiments. That is plenty for us! You could definitely do that if you wanted to but we haven’t felt the need to.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen19 сағат бұрын
@@fab5bailey369 that said, I don’t know what the BB middle school books are like as we haven’t gotten that far just yet. This was about their elementary series. I just didn’t want there to be any confusion. 😊
@faithhomeschool278920 сағат бұрын
We use Apologia at co-op, I tried on my own and couldn't push through with lessons. We loved Masterbooks science
@Making_Homeschool_Happen20 сағат бұрын
@@faithhomeschool2789 I totally get it. I’ve heard good things about Masterbooks science! 😊
@AaWa-dp4oq20 сағат бұрын
Not me with my kids’ math in an orange notebook 😂. Science is of course green! 🤣 I was going to buy Apologia, but now I’m leaning towards Berean Builders.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen20 сағат бұрын
@@AaWa-dp4oq of course math is in the orange notebook… it’s only logical. 🤷♀️🤣 Some people really love Apologia but BB is definitely more for us. I do highly suggest getting a lab kit to go with it - that has been really worth it!! I link a video in this description of the lab kit we got from Nature’s Workshop Plus. It is organized so so well!!! 😃
@AaWa-dp4oq19 сағат бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen thank you! I will be sure to order from them. I’m not great me hunting and gathering stuff like that.
@lindseydsimon20 сағат бұрын
This is our first year using Apologia. My daughter wanted to do the zoology 2 swimming creatures. She has really been interested in learning about ocean animals. The only way I could make it work was to ditch the notebooking journal (because it felt like way too much) & use the audio version while following along with the book (we listen to it at lunch). We also save the experiments and do them on our fun Fridays, but we don’t do them all. She has actually really enjoyed it. I almost made a last minute switch right before our school year started because I was worried about it. I think holding it loosely and making it work for what we could handle has been key. I think we will finish way before the year is over, so I’m beginning to think about what we will do next. I’ll have to look at Berean Builders!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen20 сағат бұрын
@@lindseydsimon thank you!! I’ve definitely heard people say they enjoy the zoology. Maybe if we had started with that, we would feel differently. 🤣 I’m so glad it’s working well for you. And yes! Definitely check out BB too! 😊
@samibuck22 сағат бұрын
My 7th grade son just started Apologia’s General Science self-paced course. It’s cool because he can do it all himself on his pc. We have been using other sciences up until this point that I have taught, but I wanted him to be more independent starting this year and learn how to take notes and all that. We have used gather round and TGATB units which were great. Apologia is just a different vibe. I am using apologia for my 4th grader too this year and made sure to pick one that changes topics, so we don’t get bored 😂 I picked zoology 1 and she likes it a lot and so do I because it’s different than what we have ever done. Plus I got the audiobook, so I don’t have to read aloud and the natures workshop science experiment kit to make life easier. All that to say is, we like Apologia so far. I’ll look into Berean builders if we ever get bored of apologia 😊
@Making_Homeschool_Happen22 сағат бұрын
@@samibuck thank you!! I’m so interested in other’s experiences with it and I’m super curious about the middle and high school sets. This is great info!
@HomeschoolwithJenКүн бұрын
We love Berean Builders, too! So glad that you like it. The experiments are our favorite!!!!
@Making_Homeschool_HappenКүн бұрын
@@HomeschoolwithJen it just feels so doable even with an experiment every lesson. It’s just organized so well and feels easy while so interesting.
@Grace_Filled_HomeschoolКүн бұрын
My 9th graders used Apologia Biology. We didn’t like it at all. We had never used Apologia before and won’t again. They will be using Berean Builders Chemistry this year.
@Making_Homeschool_HappenКүн бұрын
@@Grace_Filled_Homeschool so good to know! I’ve wondered how they compare in the upper levels. Thank you!! 😊
@Making_Homeschool_HappenКүн бұрын
I’d love to hear your thoughts about these or your favorite science curriculum! 😊 🔬 🧪
@Grace_Filled_HomeschoolКүн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen my 5th-8th love the God’s Design series Masterbooks sells. It’s thorough without being overwhelming.
@Making_Homeschool_HappenКүн бұрын
@@Grace_Filled_Homeschool I’ve heard really good things about Masterbooks science. I will keep that in mind! Thank you!
@Grace_Filled_HomeschoolКүн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen God’s Design is the only one we’ve liked from MB.
@Making_Homeschool_HappenКүн бұрын
@@Grace_Filled_Homeschool thank you!
@ctaylor79432 күн бұрын
We are one month in to Bookshark and I feel the same about the info. There is not enough. I am already looking at other curriculum for next year. I like it but I just need more, especially for the cost. Thinking about Build Your Library.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen2 күн бұрын
@@ctaylor7943 Thank you!! I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I still love their book lists but I’m nervous to buy an entire HBL again.
@mm_121233 күн бұрын
Everything said rings true for us. We can’t celebrate his achievements in math without it sounding like a brag no matter how it is said. When people ask about math I’d say he is in 7th grade(2 grades above) but then I always follow it with “but he isn’t advanced in anything else” and that puts them at ease. It’s sad. Internally my daughter tries to keep up but he moves so fast she can’t. That has resulted in many discussions in natural talents (which she also has her own).
@Making_Homeschool_Happen3 күн бұрын
@@mm_12123 it’s a weird road to navigate. It makes me sad you have to follow up the advanced with “but he isn’t advanced in anything else.” 😞 I 100 percent get it though. I have a friend who has a profoundly gifted child and she doesn’t feel like she can talk much about it because of the hate she will get. It’s a weird world we live in. ❤️ I love you’re helping both your kids navigate their natural talents. 😊
@klevesque4 күн бұрын
Thank you!! We are using grades 4 and 8 parent led math and language arts minus the writing and penmanship portions.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen4 күн бұрын
@@klevesque you’re welcome! I hope it was helpful!! 😊
@KikiP-rb8no5 күн бұрын
I haven't really been the receiving end in person anyway but there's definitely also cliques within the homeschooling community and with my chronic pain in my leg and feet, it's hard to go to every event or have my kid socialize. My son is special needs and very shy so he doesn't do well in a big group setting and find that the kids don't play with him much. That's the hardest part of homeschooling for me. I can so relate to those comments online though! I'll ask for advise and they'll sway you into sticking with the curriculum or get hate bc you want to try something else lol especially with math! It's so hard to find something that will work for both of us. I also want to say that alot of homeschoolers bash on parents who send the kids to public school and vice versa. Now i live in the state where the education is scored on the bottom compared to any other state and i haven't had a great experiences with public schools and private is too expensive but we should definitely have grace to other moms who send the kids to public school 🏫 😅 sorry for this long comment 😂😅
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 күн бұрын
@@KikiP-rb8no yeah, there are a lot of cliques for sure!! I’m sorry that’s the experience your boy has had. That makes my mama heart really angry. And I agree about the weird “war” we have with traditional school folks. It’s weird. The negativity from both sides is sad. 😞
@KikiP-rb8no5 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen thank you! 😊
@Maria-SJ5 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for this information. This is exactly what I was looking for to helped me with my decision in switching to parent led.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 күн бұрын
@@Maria-SJ you can do it!! It’s so much easier than I thought. You can also look at a math walk through video I did to see how the lessons are laid out and at a request of someone, today I released a video that shows how the language arts are laid out. You can see the lesson plans up close! 😊 PS - I’m sorry this video looks like it was shot in a dungeon. 🤣 I was still working on lighting and camera usage. I’ve learned a lot since this one! 😃
@Maria-SJ4 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen Thank you! I will definitely watch the videos. 😄oh is ok about the video the light might not be perfect but the information you share is of great help.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen4 күн бұрын
@@Maria-SJ you are so sweet! Thank you so much. 😊
@KikiP-rb8no5 күн бұрын
Have you used star spangled banner story from Notgrass? Just wondered about your experiences with it? I'm trying to decide bw Masterbooks America's story or Notgrass 😅
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 күн бұрын
@@KikiP-rb8no I haven’t used it because I didn’t discover Notgrass until recently but in looking at the samples online, I wish I would have used OSSS. It looks great! I’ve heard great things about MB also but haven’t used it. I don’t think you’re making a bad choice either way! Every time I see someone on social media ask about elementary American history, both of those are mentioned repeatedly. 😊
@KikiP-rb8no5 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen thank you so much! I'll have to let my kid pick which one he wants to do lol
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 күн бұрын
@@KikiP-rb8no I think that’s a great idea! Check out samples and let them give you feedback. That is one of the things I love about homeschool is involving my daughter in choosing the curriculum.
@KikiP-rb8no5 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen for sure!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 күн бұрын
If you’re interested in Abeka language arts, this could be helpful. This is probably our last year with it though! 😊
@jomillan44645 күн бұрын
Wow! I just found your channel. This video is a gem. Thank you so much ❤🙏🤗
@Making_Homeschool_Happen5 күн бұрын
@@jomillan4464 haha! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m just keepin it real over here. 🤣
@KatsGrimm6 күн бұрын
Idk how many maths we have went through - TGTB, Math Mammoth, Math You See, and a few others. We endes up settling on Teaching Textbooks. It is very easy to move ahead if needed, lots of review, and it helps lightem my load with having 3 kids to teach.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen6 күн бұрын
@@KatsGrimm I’ve heard great things about TT! I will definitely keep this in mind. Thank you!!!
@KSLewisLearning6 күн бұрын
I'd suggest you give your daughter the 5th grade tests or review lessons for each chapter right now to see where she truly is. Elementary math is extremely boring for advanced kids, so that is why many of them skip into middle school math early. Your daughter might surprise you with her current level of understanding. You might also just ask her what she wants to do, because she might have some good insight that you haven't thought of which could be perfect for her.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen6 күн бұрын
@@KSLewisLearning thank you!! Yes! It’s kinda difficult to navigate sometimes with an advanced kid. This is great advice! I really appreciate it. 😊
@CullenClan6 күн бұрын
Why not just get Abeka 6th grade?
@Making_Homeschool_Happen6 күн бұрын
@@CullenClan I go over that as I bought the 6th grade math. It’s tons of new concepts and it appears to move super quick. I think it might be too big of a jump at this point. 😊
@CullenClan6 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen perhaps the latter part of the 5th grade book would work? I switched my son’s curricula from Math-U-See to lessons for living education and I hated it!!!!! It was such a. Big leap and I had to teach on a notebook and come to the book a couple of pages at a time. It was so frustrating 😞😞😞
@Making_Homeschool_Happen6 күн бұрын
@@CullenClan that’s exactly what I was scared of happening! And yes, thank you!! That is a great idea also. Thank you for sharing your experience. That is super helpful!! 😃
@mcdsamantha7 күн бұрын
I would do a review page from Abeka 5 and then skip to a new concept from Abeka 5.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@mcdsamantha thank you!! 😊
@christinarae-ann94127 күн бұрын
I came to this same realization this year. I’m just going to work through what we have at a good pace and if it takes over a year then so be it. No big deal 😊
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@christinarae-ann9412 it’s such a great feeling though when it finally hits you, like really finally hits you. It’s almost freeing. The history pace has been wonderful so far. Breaking it up into smaller lessons is proving really beneficial. 😃
@christinarae-ann94127 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen agreed! Honestly, I’m not really sure how other people get through some of these curricula in a year but all homeschools are different and it’s nice to finally not feel that pressure to do it how everyone else does
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@christinarae-ann9412 I agree 💯! And every time that pressure starts creeping in, I have this conversation with myself.
@faithfullyinfertile7 күн бұрын
If abeka has worked for so many years I would just let her move quicker in level 5 so you are sure to cover all the skills and concepts, so your plan sounds great!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@faithfullyinfertile thank you!! Yes, I think I had a momentary lapse in sanity. 🤪 I’ve always wondered about other math but this is the one subject I’ve really tried to tell myself not to fix if it isn’t really broken. Why I still look at other things… I have no idea. 🤦♀️🤣
@faithfullyinfertile7 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen I have totally been there 😂
@lquinn4107 күн бұрын
This!!
@kayegenin1237 күн бұрын
I have also done three maths this year already! We are good to go now though😂
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@kayegenin123 🤣🤣🤣 Sometimes it’s just trial and error. 🤷♀️
@DorelisaGC7 күн бұрын
If it’s too easy for her but she likes the curriculum (don’t fix what it’s not broken) maybe just give her the chapter tests until she reaches a point that she needs to learn the concept and slow down there. If she passes the test there’s no need to practice it so much when abeka is spiral and she’ll practice anyway. I did that with one of my kids because I didn’t want to spend a whole year on a grade level if she doesn’t need it. (Not with abeka though but Bju which is similar-in my understanding) And like you said, that’s the beauty of homeschooling, you’re catering to her specific needs. Wish you a great year
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@DorelisaGC thank you!!! This is a GREAT suggestion. 😃
@marsdeboer7 күн бұрын
My older kids went to private Christian school and did Abeka math for K-4th grade, then switched to Saxon 6/5 for 5th grade, and stayed with Saxon through all of middle school, which worked really well for them!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@marsdeboer oh good to know! I’ve really thought about Saxon before and hear it’s great. Curiosity has almost got me - I might have to buy a used book and look at it. That would be purchase number 3 this year already. 🙈 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thank you so much! 😊
@schultesweeties7 күн бұрын
That sounds like a good plan to be flexible and move quicker through that level. It is more work for you but will probably make it a lot less boring for her!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
It definitely is more work but it just makes more sense I think. I can’t believe I panic bought another curriculum…🤣🤣🤣. It makes me laugh thinking about it. Thank you for your comment - it helps knowing other homeschool mamas think it’s a good decision. 😊
@Commonmomhomeschooler8 күн бұрын
It’s our ages lol. I’m only 37 and I’ll sleep and wake up with a new hurt!! 😂
@Making_Homeschool_Happen8 күн бұрын
@@Commonmomhomeschooler it’s getting ridiculous! I filmed this on Saturday and let me tell you, I’m sitting with a heating pad wrapped around my neck at this very moment. It’s been awful… AND I DIDNT DO ANYTHING STRENUOUS! 🤦♀️🤣🤣🤣 It’s just craziness.
@Commonmomhomeschooler7 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen no one tells us about life after 30 😂
@Making_Homeschool_Happen7 күн бұрын
@@Commonmomhomeschooler I moved heavy furniture recently and didn’t feel this bad. Like, what? 🤣
@OurInspiredHomeschool8 күн бұрын
It can be stressful when trying to figure it all out. I'd guess most of us homeschool moms have all been there! I know I have :)
@Making_Homeschool_Happen8 күн бұрын
Right? I secretly like it too because I get to look at curriculum. I really do have a problem. 😂
@OurInspiredHomeschool8 күн бұрын
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen same 🤪
@Making_Homeschool_Happen8 күн бұрын
The main word in my life right now is FLEXIBILITY! 😂😂
@AaWa-dp4oq8 күн бұрын
We are supposed to be on week 2, but I panicked and returned our entire grade kits for Abeka. Waiting for my refund so that I can purchase new curriculum.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen8 күн бұрын
No worries!! You called an audible and are making adjustments. I think that’s great! Trust your mom gut about what to do… it’s usually right. 😊
@shaynabelknap26758 күн бұрын
If you have never used Abeka for math would you reccomend going down a grade level
@Making_Homeschool_Happen8 күн бұрын
@@shaynabelknap2675 it really depends… what grade? How strong is your child in math? Keep in mind, in the elementary years, there is a good amount of review each year and since it’s spiral, it’s going to add in new concepts with review of previous concepts.
@lanasotherland595010 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for sharing! I have an only child and have started thinking about homeschooling when she’s ready (she’s just turning 3). These are all great things to keep in the back of my mind when we are ready to start
@Making_Homeschool_Happen10 күн бұрын
@@lanasotherland5950 oh yay!!! I am so excited for you!! Homeschooling is such an amazing journey. I have a video on homeschooling an only child too if you haven’t seen it yet and how my daughter is not sad and lonely. 🤣 So happy for you to take the homeschooling journey. 😊
@angieklein460811 күн бұрын
I battle that same tendency. I have to frame it as "getting it over with" or "enjoying, digesting, understanding"
@Making_Homeschool_Happen11 күн бұрын
@@angieklein4608 That’s a great way to frame it! And yes! I also ask myself, “is her education going to be destroyed because we went slower to absorb more of the material?” Then I immediately feel silly. 🤪
@krkmr597911 күн бұрын
Using a boxed curriculum is great for working homeschool parents, too! A lot of people on the internet devalue all-in-one kits or say that it’s just for people who don’t know what they are doing. Piecing together curriculum takes a lot of time and work. The switch from eclectic to all-in-one was a gift for my homeschool.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen11 күн бұрын
@@krkmr5979 yessss!!! This. So much. This.
@173eld11 күн бұрын
Thank you for sharing your experience. This video is helpful. I’m deciding between parent or video led.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen11 күн бұрын
@@173eld you’re welcome! It was hard to find one when I was looking to switch. What grade are you doing?
@Ellie-li7lh11 күн бұрын
I’m so excited to see a video tailored to homeschooling an only! I have an only child. An 8th grader and we’ve been homeschooling for 8 years. It definitely takes more effort for me to organize friend hang outs. We don’t do a co-op and never have so I am very intentional with our activities. I love homeschooling and our time together. It’s been a very positive experience. Side note- we wanted more kids but are blessed to have one.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen11 күн бұрын
@@Ellie-li7lh a lot of people think it’s crazy to homeschool an only but it works so well for us! I’m so glad you feel the benefits too! 🤩
@TeachingMylittles13 күн бұрын
Wow! I can relate to everything you said. I also have an only child and I pushed him so hard so early. My struggle was also that my son is an advanced learner so i set the standard way too high which was not fair to him, and I wish I would’ve taken it easy. But you live and you learn 💕 thanks for sharing.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen13 күн бұрын
@@TeachingMylittles we might be the same people! 🤣 Yes! Tempering expectations with an advanced kid is an art all of its own. And I still struggle with it sometimes.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen13 күн бұрын
What would you or have you changed on a second go round?? I’d love to know! 😊
@klevesque14 күн бұрын
Can you do a walkthrough of a language arts lesson as well? This math one answered a question I was stumped in. Thank you!
@Making_Homeschool_Happen14 күн бұрын
@@klevesque sure! I’ll try to get one out next week!
@klevesque14 күн бұрын
We are switching to Abeka this school year. I’m making it work for me. We are doing the parent led version. Just doing math and language arts. History we are using Bookshark D and for science we are using Masterbooks General Science 1.
@Making_Homeschool_Happen14 күн бұрын
@@klevesque there are sooo many great things about it! I hope it works well for you. 😊