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Biology Curriculum FAQ

1. How do I use this curriculum?
2. What materials will I need?
3. What grade is this curriculum for?
4. What if I change my mind?
5. If I have more than one child completing this course, do I need to purchase the course for each child?
6. Do I need to do the labs?
7. What will my child be doing on a typical day?
8. How is evolution addressed in this curriculum?
9. How do I know this curriculum is accurate and thorough?
10. What if I need help or have questions?
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1. How do I use this curriculum?
This curriculum is self-paced and students may start and stop whenever they desire. The curriculum is designed to be a thorough and complete course, but you may also choose to use it as a supplement to or reinforcement of your current curriculum. Lab videos, activities, and related links may all be helpful for students using another curriculum.
FAQ 1
2. What materials will I need?
None! Or some. Actually, it’s up to you. The worksheets and review pages are designed to be printed at home. That means, you can print what you need, when you need it. Not interested in printing? You can order a full student workbook that includes all the student pages and I’ll ship it to your door. All answer keys can be found online at the end of the course content, so you can check answers without paying for all that extra paper.
 
If you choose to do the labs by video, you won’t need anything but an internet connection. If you choose to do the labs at home, you’ll need a microscope of your choice, some household supplies (vinegar, onions, cups, etc.) and about $30 worth of scientific supplies for each semester. Yep! That’s only about $60 of supplies for the WHOLE YEAR!
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Within the online course, I've provided a detailed list of all the necessary lab supplies.  You can see it in the Free Trial of each course or you can download it below:
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Lab Supply List for Biology Semester 1
Lab Supply List for Biology Semester 2
FAQ 2
3. What grade is this curriculum for?
This Biology curriculum was designed for students in grades 9 & 10. Of course, if you feel that it is appropriate for your child to do, it can be adjusted for younger or older students. Each lab activity has a description on the first page that includes ideas for adjusting the rigor up or down, depending on the needs of your student. Completion of multiple “extension activities” would constitute an “honors” Biology course.
4. What if I change my mind?
You have 30 days after any purchase to change your mind and get a full refund on any online course. Any items previously downloaded are yours to keep. Refunds for printed student workbooks will be submitted after the workbook has been shipped back to Home Science Support. For more details on my refund policy, see Terms of Use.
FAQ 3
FAQ 4
5. If I have more than one child completing this course, do I need to purchase the course for each child?
No. The online courses are designed for one family, so siblings may share an account. You may want to purchase multiple student workbooks so each child can record their own information. If you choose to explore this curriculum in a group or co-op setting, please contact me for discounted group pricing.
FAQ 5
6. Do I need to do the labs?
Labs are an integral part of any Biology curriculum and lab sciences are often required for college admission. The lab activities provided in this curriculum are easy to follow and include parent/teacher instructions as well as student instructions and worksheets. They use primarily everyday materials, although a microscope would be a valuable addition to your lab supplies. A lab supply list with links to the cheapest supplies (that I could find) is included for easy reference and purchasing, if necessary.
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If you would like to skip the lab portion, nearly all of the labs include a video demonstration that students can watch in lieu of completing the lab at home. If you choose this option, please make sure your student is still completing the worksheets and questions associated with each lab, so he has a better understanding of the concepts being taught. Sometimes students choose to do the lab while watching the video, or simply use the videos once in a while when lab materials aren’t available or just as a change of pace.
FAQ 6
7. What will my child be doing on a typical day?
Each chapter is divided into 5 lessons. These are ideally completed in a Monday-Friday format, but students can complete more or less than one lesson in a day, as they choose. A typical chapter/week schedule is as follows:
 
Lesson 1- Students view a PowerPoint video or watch a narrated version of this PowerPoint while completing a worksheet with corresponding questions and important vocabulary.
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Lesson 2- Students practice and extend the concepts from the PowerPoint by doing a lab or activity. Lab supply lists and directions are included for each lab. Students not wishing to complete the lab on their own can watch a video demonstration of the lab or activity.
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Lesson 3- Students review the concepts from the previous two days and summarize that knowledge in a written review sheet and/or a coloring page. These two pages provide options for students that like to summarize in writing as well as students that are more visual-learners.
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Lesson 4- Students choose one of two options (or both, if they wish):
-Explore the additional website links to simulations, games, articles, or videos that extend thinking on the concepts learned thus far.
-Read a book related to the topics studied thus far. Lists of related books are provided for each weekly chapter.
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Lesson 5- Students review all the materials from the week and take a 10-question quiz. This quiz is graded online, so students have immediate feedback. The quiz can be taken once or more than once, as desired.
FAQ 7
8. How is evolution addressed in this curriculum?
I am a Christian and therefore, I believe that the word of God is infallible, while humans are fallible. The complexity of the biological world naturally leads students to have a greater respect for the Creator. That said, we live in a world that overwhelmingly provides evolution as scientific fact, and we need to be prepared to live and discuss our beliefs in that world. With that in mind, I believe this curriculum works well for both Christian and secular families. Here’s why:
  • Evolution and linkage between organisms is only addressed in the chapter of this curriculum specifically designed to teach this topic (Week 14). Genetic and morphological evidence for evolution is not taught in any other chapter, meaning that organisms are not shown to evolve from one species to another.
  • Regardless of personal beliefs, students will need to be familiar with the theories used by evolutionary biologists. This will help them solidify their ideas and debate logically with an overwhelmingly secular world.
  • There are no scripture references in the curriculum. Families wishing to make those associations can usually find those easily on their own.
  • AP and CLEP tests will require a knowledge of natural selection and evolutionary evidence.
  • If you’d like to skip evolution completely, simply skip the one chapter that addresses these concepts.
  • If you’d like to skip Creation completely, simply study the evolutionary evidence presented in Week 14 and skip the related links to Creation.
 
No matter what your personal feelings on evolutionary evidence, as a homeschooling parent you are always welcome to guide your child’s education in this matter. In the Creation/Evolution chapter, a multitude of reputable website links and articles are provided to allow students to gather information in order to see the opinions of others and also solidify their own views of the creation/evolution debate. If you have any specific questions about how evolution is handled in this curriculum, feel free to contact me.
FAQ 8
9. How do I know this curriculum is accurate and thorough?
I'm Anne Morgan, designer of this Biology curriculum and owner of Home Science Support. I have over 14 years of experience teaching Biology, Physical Science, and Environmental Science courses in both public school and homeschool settings. I have a B.S. degree from Grove City College in Secondary Education, specializing in Biology and General Science. I hold secondary teaching certificates in Biology, Chemistry, General Science, and Environmental Science. This curriculum is the culmination of many resources that I have designed and sold over the past decade. I have not only used them in my own classroom with much success, but I have an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from homeschooling families and teachers that are pleased with my resources. I know this curriculum will provide your child with a solid background in high school Biology.
FAQ 9
10. What if I need help or have questions?
I am personally available to address any questions or issues that arise during your year of Biology. Simply email me at service@homesciencesupport.com and I will get back to you within a few hours. An even faster way to receive help and feedback from me or other families is on our Home Science Support Facebook Page. I am committed to making sure this curriculum works for your child and will do whatever I can to help.
FAQ 10
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