Where are you in AP Bio?

<p>We went out of order and did most of evolution, then went through the first few chapters on organic chem, molecules of life (proteins, lipids, carbs, nucleic acids), and are now in the middle of cells. It's my teacher's first year and our book has a lot of chapters (it's LIFE, not Campbell's), so I'm worried we're a bit behind because we're going at a rather slow rate imo. Where are your classes at?</p>

<p>my class went out of order too, but my teacher has a couple years under her belt…
we did ecology, evolution, viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, and we’re overviewing animals right now (its an overview of the five kingdoms monera protista fungus animalia - we’re doing plantae at the end of the year)</p>

<p>I took it last year, but at my school, the class is on photosynthesis and respiration (chapter 9 and 10 of Campbell / Reece). They’re going to have the same fate that we did - having to learn half of the course by ourselves.</p>

<p>Right now we’re on DNA replication, and mitosis on meiosis. We’ve covered up to chapter 10 (on Campbell/Reece) . But she’s combining chapter 11 and 16, so we can do DNA at once.</p>

<p>We’ve gone in order and are on Chapter 15 (Campbell/Reece).</p>

<p>Does anyone else NOT like the Campbell/Reece book. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very comprehensive, but I feel that it has so much superfluous material that won’t even be tested on the exam.</p>

<p>We’re up to chapter 12 in Capmbells—The Cell Cycle.</p>

<p>Yes, Campbells is full of superfluous information, but my class exams are from it and they’re full of nitty gritty details. I hate that.</p>

<p>we’re in respiration and photosynthesis</p>

<p>We are using Campbells, following the order, and we are on Chapter 16-18, of which the test is this Tuesday.</p>

<p>^ You guys are pretty far…</p>

<p>We’re finishing up Chapter 6 (not going in order). The only other chapters we covered are 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, and 41…</p>

<p>Should I be concerned?</p>

<p>We read chapters 50-55 (ecology) for the summer assignment and took a test on those 6 chapters the first week of school. The 2nd week of school we started at the beginning of the book and worked in chunks. The chapters we covered are 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8, 9-10, and we’re currently learning 11-12 which I guess will finish up the cell section. </p>

<p>Looks like I’m ahead most of the posters so far. My AP biology has been at my school for like 18 years and is a great teacher; I’m fortunate to have him. Good luck everyone.</p>

<p>We’re doing pretty much the same thing Trumpeter is doing. We’re in 11-12, too. And we also did ecology over the summer.</p>

<p>We did 1-4 over the summer, covered Ecology first, then started going in order and are now at photosynthesis/respiration</p>

<p>Campbell</p>

<p>50 -> 51 -> 52 -> 53 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 -> 7 -> 8 right now</p>

<p>How do your teachers teach? I feel like mine is different since she just gives us packets and makes us “dig” up the diamonds (information) ourselves. Then all we do in class is just reinforce material and ask questions to “polish” the diamonds. I’m just not used to not being lectured or given any notes. But her students score well on the exam. All her students passed the exam last year, and good chunk got 5’s.</p>

<p>We pretty much waste a good 15-20 minutes on a quiz almost everyday, which leaves us with 30 minutes of actual learning. Then after that, my teacher just lectures us on concepts that we find difficult using the Powerpoints made by the publishers of Campbell. Eventually, we go off topic and start these tangents on weird topics But the class goes by ridiculously fast to the point where I don’t feel like I learned anything. We occasionally get packets, but usually never go over them.</p>

<p>I just wish our periods were longer…</p>

<p>^We have block scheduling, so we get 90 minutes of “learning” for the whole year. It’s not fun. After an hour, I just watch the clock waiting for the bell to ring. AP Bio is so boring, I feel like all we do is just memorize.</p>

<p>^Hey Harambee! Glad you like Direct Hits. You might take a look at REA’s new Biology Crash Course book. I have heard that it is very good. I would be very interested in your opinion.</p>

<p>I have cliffs which the general consensus on CC say is good. I’ve been using it as a supplement but i’ll see if I can get REA’s Crash Course. I’ve heard good things about it for US history. I just hope I can pull of a 5, and a 700+ SAT II score.</p>

<p>The REA book is new. I’m not an AP Bio student so I can’t really judge it myself. But students I respect say it is very good. Book is available at Amazon for less than $10.00. Looking forward to hearing what you think.</p>