fluffybunny Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 We have finished Apologia General Science and Apologia Physical Science, which we loved, but we'd like something 'light' before getting stuck into Apologia Chemistry late next year. So I'm looking for a fun chemistry textbook, like Apologia, but no maths. Is there such a thing? Ds is 8th grade. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 There is a Conceptual Chemistry book. We have it, and while not the greatest of chemistry texts, it isn't half bad. It's FAR better than the majority of middle school science texts (Holt, Glencoe, et al.). It sets things up fairly nicely for a more serious dive into chemistry (pre-AP or AP). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I highly recommend Ellen McHenry's "The Elements" and, if you get through that, "Carbon Chemistry." http://store.ellenjmchenry.com/ I see that the download version of The Elements costs about $15. They are entertaining, packed with information, and my middle-schoolers really liked them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I'd recommend just exploring chemistry without a textbook. MIT has a bunch of chemistry demo videos that do lots of teaching. The elements book is great: http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Visual-Exploration-Universe/dp/1579128955 Hands on Experiments - I like the book 150 Captivating Chemistry Experiments http://www.amazon.com/Captivating-Chemistry-Experiments-Household-Substances/dp/0971848025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 How about Chemistry 101? It is for high school, but not heavy on the math like Apologia. It is DVD-based and you print the workbook straight from the DVD. I think it is perfect for middle school and uses everyday household materials for labs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I've run head-on into this issue also. I thought the conceptual chemistry materials out there weren't that great, so I went with a combination of McHenry's The Elements, McHenry's Carbon Chemistry, and ACS Middle School chemistry. I picked and chose among the lessons and kind of cobbled together my own scope and sequence from those. I also got as supplements Chris Oxlade's chemistry books, which are excellent, as it turns out. If you are not up to that kind of messing around with scope and sequence, Real Science 4 Kids high school level is pretty good, but won't last a year, even at half speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Can I just suggest a fun supplement? We love Peter Weatherall, and he now has a chemistry DVD/CD of songs and short explanation videos. My hubby teaches chem at Uni and has actually played a couple for his students to help cement a concept:) http://www.kidsinglish.com/video_clips/chem_vids_short_clips/chem-songbook.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Thanks! Good stuff! Can I just suggest a fun supplement? We love Peter Weatherall, and he now has a chemistry DVD/CD of songs and short explanation videos. My hubby teaches chem at Uni and has actually played a couple for his students to help cement a concept:)http://www.kidsinglish.com/video_clips/chem_vids_short_clips/chem-songbook.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybell Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 There is also a free chemistry that we did in middle school. You can find it at http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/lessonplans/ It didn't require any math and my daughter really enjoyed it. You will need to get the supplies for the labs but most of the items were things we already had. A few of the labs we had to go buy supplies and on some we ended up just watching a video on the lab but most of them can be done pretty easily at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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