Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way.
Teaching high school can seem a daunting task for many homeschooling parents. The thoughts of college are looming closer at this stage of education, and talk revolves around required courses, credits, and transcripts. The good, if not great news is, that there are some wonderful resources to help homeschool parents in our weaker areas. Consider high school science for example. It tends to be a subject that parents are either enthusiastic about teaching, or one that fills them with anxiety. I've enjoyed most of the science courses that we've used over the years, but I will admit that the Biology course we used this last year had my, and my teens' heads, spinning. As it happened, Journey Homeschool Academy provided us with the opportunity to take and review their course, Experience Biology: Upper Level , and I'm here to say up front, you need to check it out, because it's fantastic.
Luke and Trisha Gilkerson are the instructors for this biblically centered course, and I cannot express enough enthusiasm for their style and manner. They know their stuff, so to speak, and their passion is contagious. Even in the sign up process, they were attentive, detailed, and encouraging.
Student guidebook, and table of contents.
This upper level Biology class can be taken one of two ways. The Basic level is a non-credit option, and includes 35 weeks of video lessons, lecture guide, readings, research questions, quizzes, and tests. The advanced option includes all of those, but also includes labs, with video instruction and assignments to upload. Quizzes and tests are automatically graded for students, as are the submitted lab questions. That takes a lot of the burden off of parents, doesn't it? We received access to the advanced level. Upon completion of the advanced class, students will earn 1 full credit and recieve a certificate of completion. We did not receive the textbook that accompanies the course, The Riot and the Dance. You can choose to purchase the book if you like, and you'll need it to complete the reading assignments, but you can complete the course without it. I would however, recommend getting a copy.
Engaging videos, 2 per week.
The set up process is straightforward and simple. Your child will ideally need their own email account to receive reminders and such. After registering, you will select from several start dates. Once you choose the date, your student will have one year to finish the course. Apart from having to select a date to begin, the course is self paced. You can move along faster or slower, as long as it's within that timeframe of a year.
Student book includes new vocabulary and lecture notes.
Lab assignment example. This course does not include a microscope or other lab supplies. Those need to be purchased separately.
Typically, students will work through one chapter per week, working faster or slower as necessary. In order to move from one chapter to the next, you must check off the boxes for each required section. These will be checked off as you watch the videos, read the assignments, and complete the labs. After all the boxes are checked, the next section is unlocked.
All boxes must be completed and checked before moving on to the next.
Students begin by watching two separate videos. Lessons are taught by Luke Gilkerson. He has a wonderful teaching style. There are very good photos, graphics, and other illustrations. His demeanor is good natured and relaxed. I found myself looking forward to learning about things such as cell respiration, and I'll tell you, the subject is not my thing, lol. After the videos, they will complete the reading assignment, take the quiz, and complete research questions. They will also complete the lab. If you're taking the course at the expected pace, you'll complete one section per weekday.
In my musings of how to describe our feelings for this course, I'm thinking, super, fabulous, engaging, interesting, fantastic, and wow, I wish we had discovered this class sooner! I really hope that they put together more courses before my daughters graduate. We had just come to the end of our biology class (not this one), before this review, but my daughter will still finish this course as well. It's just that good.
Are you feeling a bit stressed, about teaching biology? I encourage you to visit their website and see what this course is all about. I think you'll like it too!
Find Journey Homeschool Academy on social media:
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Some of our Crew members reviewed two different courses from this company:
Experience Biology: Elementary
Experience Astronomy: Elementary
Read the reviews by clicking on the banner below!
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