RS4K Chemistry folks?

[SunshineMom]

We just bought Chemistry Prelevel 1 but at this rate we will be finished in another week! Ok, how much math and writing does Level 1 have? My 5yr is asking so many questions such as "how do the atoms stick together?" She remembered about 3 months ago me saying something about electrons. Before I could answer she said "is it because of the electrons, is it like magnets?" Could we move on to Level 1 w/o too much trouble after we finish Prelevel 1?

[Kay in Cal]

There is no math in Level 1. Lots of the writing can be done orally (reviewing definitions, etc). My science-crazy 6yo has been reading and absorbing the text on his own. We didn't do pre-level 1, so I can't really compare... but I personally was impressed by his grasp of covalent vs. ionic bonds--my dh does most of the teaching, so I don't always know what he's covered. He chose to read it on his own in addition to our Earth Science curriculum, and just adores it. I do have to say--not that much content. I think he's had it a month or so, and has read through it more than once.

 

JMHO -- If your dd can ask how atoms stick together, and intuit the electron cloud, I'd dive in. It's the cognitive ability to grasp the concepts that would limit her appreciation of the text, not the reading/math/writing level.

 

If anyone knows what I should do next year for chemistry when we've already finished RS4K level 1, I'd appreciate any input as well! How to find something with the real science, but still kid "friendly"...?

[siloam]

We just bought Chemistry Prelevel 1 but at this rate we will be finished in another week! Ok, how much math and writing does Level 1 have? My 5yr is asking so many questions such as "how do the atoms stick together?" She remembered about 3 months ago me saying something about electrons. Before I could answer she said "is it because of the electrons, is it like magnets?" Could we move on to Level 1 w/o too much trouble after we finish Prelevel 1?

 

 

For a 5yo? I think they would have more problems with terminology than anything else (because RS4K uses correct terms). There would be times when it went totally over her head, but much of it could stick. There is very little math (and what there is could be understood with simple addition), and if you do the writing for the labs for them, no writing. Some of the lab questions are VERY open ended, so you would probably have to change that and work through a series of questions to lead him to the answer, or just do the experiment and let them enjoy it without doing the lab sheets.

 

BTW did you know you can view the book page by page on the author's website?

 

Heather

 

[Storm Bay]

 

If anyone knows what I should do next year for chemistry when we've already finished RS4K level 1, I'd appreciate any input as well! How to find something with the real science, but still kid "friendly"...?

 

There's a RS4K level 2 Chemistry that we have on our shelf. Does have some math. Dd, who loves Chemistry loves it. The other alternative is to do other science or read lots of trade books and do experiments until you get there. Dd is going to do this at 14 just for fun (she wants to) as an intro to her high school Chemistry which she'll start next fall which is Conceptual Chemistry (I can get you the author if you'd like) which is for older students than 14, but doesn't have all the math that most high school students need if they take it later. We're doing Chem/Physics/Biology in high school rather than the ps order.

[Storm Bay]

We just bought Chemistry Prelevel 1 but at this rate we will be finished in another week! Ok, how much math and writing does Level 1 have? My 5yr is asking so many questions such as "how do the atoms stick together?" She remembered about 3 months ago me saying something about electrons. Before I could answer she said "is it because of the electrons, is it like magnets?" Could we move on to Level 1 w/o too much trouble after we finish Prelevel 1?

 

Yes, with these questions I would definitly move on.