Chemistry, need suggestions...

[saved1112]

What do you suggest for Chemistry, for a kid that likes science, but not math??

 

Thanks!

[Carol in Cal.]

But high school chemistry really does require algebra. I don't see any way around it.

[saved1112]

But high school chemistry really does require algebra. I don't see any way around it.

 

Yes, but I'm just wondering if there's a Chemistry curriculum out there that would be better for a student who is not to great with math.

 

Thanks!!

[whisperam]

how you will do Chem without doing the Algebra. Algebra is at its core.

[Hoggirl]

I believe he offers a short math program that you can do as a prequel to his chemistry course that focuses on the math "stuff" that is most used in chemistry??? I am NOT sure about this, and I have not used any of these materials (this is the Rainbow Science group), but I just seem to recall a math program for students like this. I think it is designed to take maybe four or five weeks??? Again, don't rely on me, but you might look at the Rainbow Science site.

[Liza Q]

My daughter is one who likes science but struggles with math. We used the Rainbow Chemistry with the Bridge Math and she found it very difficult. I think that she would have done better if we had waited until she completed another year or two of math. Doing Algebra 2 and Chem during the same year about killed her, poor thing - I felt badly about it.

 

But we did like the kit - made everything easier! And she preferred the text to Apologia which she used for General and Physical.

 

My next daughter will probably use Spectrum but not till the 11th or possibly 12th grade as she is also not strong in math.

[Storm Bay]

Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry II is a good precursor, which dd will do next year. We're going to follow that with Conceptual Chemistry by John Suchocki for Gr. 9 as it does not require much math. We've also bought the Conceptual Chemistry Alive! CD-Rom lectures and the Thinkwell Chem lectures. The first gives lectures on the first 12 chapters of the text.

 

When I was in high school I did Chemistry without much math. It's okay if it's just a Chem credit for a future Arts major, but it was quite a jump when I took Chemistry in university. My dd wants to major in science, so she will end up getting a lot of math, and later we may have to get a math based AP Chem course or something, but we'll check with her college choices on that first.

[Veronica in VA]

I do think most chemistry courses have some math. I wondered about this too, though, and did some searching. Here are a few ideas I found:

 

1. Merlin Science - you can do a google search for this one. (I recently lost my bookmarks). Some math with balancing equations, etc. but not too much.

2. Integrated Physics and Chemistry - Timberdoodle, Lamppost and others sell this. Lamppost has samples on their site. Chemistry and Physics with a story and not much math.

 

3. Joy of Chemistry, combined with some living books.

 

These are not for people who want to do anything with science or math later on, but it sounds like your child isn't interested in that.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Veronica

[sweetbaby]

We are using Contemporary Chemistry by Walch Publishing. It has some math but not too difficult. My son has a learning disability and it works very well for him.

[Big Buckin' Longhorn]

How about PAC's Integrated Chemistry and Physics? I haven't used it, but I know others who have. It's supposed to be chemistry without all the complicated formulas, etc...

[Mandy in TN]

We are using Contemporary Chemistry by Walch Publishing. It has some math but not too difficult. My son has a learning disability and it works very well for him.

 

I just looked at this on the Walch website and at Rainbow Resource where the book is only $18.50 and the Teacher's Guide is only $16.25.

 

Are you doing labs with this? If so, what are you using?

Thanks-

Mandy