Can I just say that I love biology? From the interesting work with the microscope, to the amazing way the human body works, biology offers incredible insight into the world of living things.

I have been on the hunt for a secular middle school biology program for my upcoming 8th grader. We are completing Earth Science this year and I would like to cover some basic biology before he hits high school biology in 10th grade.

Homeschool Middle School Biology Options

I have found two biology programs targeted at middle school that are solid, comprehensive options. While there are others (like Apologia) they are targeted at High School which is above where my middle school child is at.

Both of the following programs:

• are geared for students in grades 5 through 8
• contain a separate student text and parent/teacher guide
• offer both ebook and printed options
• cover 36 weeks of material
• include hands on lab work
• quizzes

1. R.E.A.L. Science – Biology (Level 2)

First up is…R.E.A.L. Science – Biology (Level 2).

“R.E.A.L. Science Biology (Level 2) is a comprehensive course for life science at the middle school level (grades 5 through 8). But unlike many science textbooks, RSO Biology 2 is not a dry collection of facts and worksheets but rather an in-depth course that engages young peopleʼs minds at the same time they are actively participating in the learning of biology.”

R.E.A.L. Science Scope and Sequence

Cells

• Cell theory
• Unicellular organisms
• Animal cell structure and function
• Plant cell structure and function
• Cell chemistry and nutrition
• Diffusion and cellular transport
• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• Virus life cycle

Genetics

• DNA, RNA
• Purpose of DNA, protein synthesis
• Life cycle of a cell and mitosis
• Meiosis
• Heredity
• Structure and function of chromosomes
• Punnett Squares

Organisms

• Multicellular organisms
• Dissection
• Plant organisms and systems
• Human organisms and organ systems
• Human anatomy and physiology

Evolution

• Theory of evolution
• History of evolution
• Evidence for evolution
• Natural selection
• Fossils and dating

Ecology and population dynamics

• Biomes
• Abiotic interactions
• Ecosystems
• Food web – producers, consumers, decomposers
• Biotic interactions- predator/prey relationship, camouflage, symbiotic relationships, mimicry, competition
• Biology cycles
• Greenhouse Effect
• Environment balance and threats

Classification

• History of classification
• Modern classification
• Dichotomous Key
• Binomial nomenclature
• Branching diagrams
• Phylogeny
• Cladistics
• Archaea and Bacteria
• Eukarya
• Protists and fungi
• Plantae
• Animal

This program is self-contained, meaning all the information and reading is contained within the student book.

Cost: The cost to purchase the spiral bound Student Book and the regular bound Teacher Guide is $174.00 ($132.00 SB+ $42.00 TG). You can also purchase the Lab Supplies kit which contains 29 of the harder-to-find items. Includes an advanced dissecting tools set, test tubes, safety goggles, slide set, and more. The cost for the lab supplies kit is $66.50.

2. Elemental Science – Biology for the Logic Stage

Elemental Science – Biology for the Logic State is the second option for homeschool middle school biology.

“Biology for the Logic Stage leads the middle school student through a study of plants, animal life, and the human body by digging deeper into what was studied during the elementary years.”

Elemental Science Sequence of Study

Introductory & Plant Units (11 weeks)

Unit 1: Biological Building Blocks (5 Weeks)

• Cells
• DNA and Genetics
• Classification
• Nutrient Cycles
• Ecology

Unit 2: Plants (6 Weeks)

• Fungi
• Simple Plants
• Flowerless Plants
• Flowering Plants
• Seeds and Fruit
• Trees

Animal Units (14 weeks)

Unit 3: Invertebrates (5 Weeks)

• Annelids/Platyhelminthes/Nematodes
• Cnidarians/Echinoderms
• Mollusks
• Arthropods
• Insects

Unit 4: Vertebrates (5 Weeks)

• Fish
• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Birds
• Mammals

Unit 5: Animal Overview (4 weeks)

• Science Fair Project
• Migration
• Animal Behavior
• Animal Partnerships
• Adaptations and Defenses

Human Body Unit (10 weeks)

Unit 6: Human Body (10 Weeks)

• Integumentary System
• Skeletal System
• Muscular System
• Nervous System
• Endocrine System (optional Reproductive System)
• Circulatory System
• Respiratory System
• Digestive System
• Urinary System
• Immune System

This programs takes it reading and information from two major spines:

1. The Usborne Science Encyclopedia

 

2. The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

Cost: To purchase the printed Teacher Guide, printed Student Guide, and the two required spines list above, the cost is $84.99.  You can also purchase the Lab Supplies kit which includes all the hard to find or difficult to get materials. The cost for the lab supplies kit is $66.99.

R.E.A.L. Science vs. Elemental Science

R.E.A.L. Science is more expensive but is self contained which means less books to use/lug. I also like the fact that their student book is spiral bound because it is easier to use that way. Although you could just order the ebook version of Elemental Science and have it spiral bound.

Elemental Science uses a more notebook style approach where R.E.A.L. Science has a more fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice type of feel.

Elemental Science is less expensive but has supplemental books. In some respects I like the fact that the reading is done from other books rather than from a text they created. It opens up the opportunity to explore various resources and helps to encourage kids to do their research, to look at multiple sources of information, and critically think about a topic.