| Teaching biology to your homeschool student can | | | | course are usually only available at the high school |
| be a lot of fun; however, some parents do not | | | | level and the elementary grade biology is included |
| enjoy the subject and the upper grades can be a | | | | in more general science classes). |
| bit more challenging. If you are the latter, there | | | | Switched On Schoolhouse: This program is on |
| are many good options for teaching your child | | | | cd-roms and involves a combination of on- and |
| homeschool biology. | | | | off-computer assignments including experiments. |
| Drawbacks and benefits of a computer-based | | | | Grades 3-9 observe each area of science on an |
| biology course | | | | individual survey basis, usually unit by unit. Grades |
| Benefits: | | | | 10-12 focus on specific areas of science: Life |
| No planning involved and easy for the busy | | | | Science (Plants and Animals, Human Anatomy and |
| working parent. | | | | Personal Care, Biology), Space and Earth Science |
| Most are self-grading. | | | | (Geology, Weather, Space), Physical Science |
| Usually includes a visually-appealing multimedia | | | | (Chemistry, Physics), Nature of Science (Scientific |
| component. | | | | Method, Experimentation, Technology). |
| Self-directed and gives the student a sense of | | | | E-Tutor [ This program offers independent and |
| autonomy. | | | | guided programs (with the guided program, they |
| Drawbacks: | | | | assign the student a certified tutor). Single |
| If many textbook selections are included in the | | | | courses are available. |
| course, it can be a bit tedious reading from the | | | | K12: K12 offers a public school option (free in |
| computer screen. | | | | some states) and a private school option. They |
| May not be a good choice for a kinesthetic | | | | use a mix of internet courses and traditional |
| learner or a child with a lot of energy. However, | | | | textbook courses. It is a rigorous program but |
| an easy way to remedy this would be by | | | | they offer many options to the homeschooler, |
| combining it with a nature study program, which | | | | including individual highschool courses. K12 is a |
| would get your active learner out of the house | | | | well-done high-quality program, but is not for |
| for some fresh air and observation. | | | | parents who prefer a more gentle Charlotte |
| A sampling of biology course options: (Biology | | | | Mason type method. |