Description
Apologia’s Physical Science curriculum is written to the student in a conversational tone, and cultivates independent learning. Throughout this curriculum, your student will investigate, discover, recognize, appreciate, discuss, and understand the wonders of Creation. This is the 3rd Edition of Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Physical Science.
Overview
When we offer our students experiments that move beyond the science text, their learning expands and they own their own discoveries. They are able to see that our world is not as random as it seems as they can observe a phenomenon, ask questions, and methodically seek answers for themselves. Science no longer is just a class–it’s a means to discover their world.
We believe that your student’s education should prepare them for life–not just academics. So, we’ve strategically designed a curriculum that will give your middle school student a basic understanding of the world that surrounds them and the real-world relevance of scientific inquiry through the beauty of Creation. This course is designed to be the last science course the student takes before high school Biology.
Students will build confidence and a foundational understanding of high school level science as they work through and complete our Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science modules.
Open-and-Go Daily Schedule
This course is designed to be done 4 days a week. A suggested daily schedule is included in the student notebook (sold separately) so your student easily understands what is expected of them each day, while also providing flexibility to meet the needs of your student and family.
Lesson Plans and Materials
There are 15 modules in this course and each module takes two weeks to complete. A typical week requires studying science for about 1 hour a day for 4 days. During this time, your student will read an assigned portion of their textbook. Throughout each section, they will answer “On Your Own” questions to test their comprehension before moving forward. When they complete the module, your student self-checks their own answers against the detailed answers provided at the end of each module.
Lab exercises are conducted throughout each module so that your student has hands-on lab experience that goes along with their study. Each lab has been designed to work easily in a homeschool environment.
At the end of each of the 15 modules there is a Study Guide to help your student review their materials before taking their exams. Detailed answers to these questions are provided in the Solutions and Tests (sold separately).
Experiments, Hands-On Activities, and Topics
This course has plenty of hands-on learning with 36 experiments and 17 “You Do Science” activities. The optional “You Do Science” activities are quick and easy to help students practically apply concepts they are learning.
Lab Reports
While your student will complete all experiments, only one formal lab report is required per module. In our curriculum, your student is instructed on both informal and formal lab report writing techniques and will have a clear understanding of how to document all of their work in their notebooks. Don’t worry! We walk through and explain every step and why it is essential.
Topics include:
- Basic Science
- Chemistry
- Properties and States of Matter
- Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
- Chemical Bonds
- Reactions and Energy
- Physics
- Motion – Forces
- Energy
- Waves and Sound
- Light
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Earth Science
- Our Earth
- Our Atmosphere and Beyond
- Chemistry and Physics in the Life Sciences
- Physical Science Research
Connections to Creation
Throughout the textbook, there are “Think About This” sections to help your student make a connection between science and the Creator.
Skill Building
Detailed to-do lists at the start of each lesson help your student plan their assignments and work more independently. Rich graphics help present and reinforce information for more visual learners.
Easy Grading
A complete step-by-step grading rubric for you as the parent is included. This will guide you as you calculate a module grade from your student’s module test, lab work, and the character they displayed throughout the module.
