Corraleno Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 (edited) I downloaded the book and went through it to compile a list of materials for each lesson/lab: 1.1 Molecules Matter Tall clear plastic cup Water (room temperature) White sheet of paper Food coloring (red, blue, or green) Small cup Dropper 2 drinking straws cut in half 2 index cards covered with wax paper 1.2 Molecules in Motion Hot water (about 50 °C) in a clear plastic cup Cold water in a clear plastic cup Yellow food coloring in a small cup Blue food coloring in a small cup 4 droppers 1.3 The Ups & Downs of Thermometers Student thermometer Magnifier Cold water Hot water (about 50 °C) Extension activity: Test tube, about 20 mL Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, 91% Small cup 2 small disposable water bottles (8 oz.) Food coloring Parafilm Thin transparent straw (either cut from a dropper or from a Capri Sun® drink) Hot water (about 50 °C) Ice water 1.4 Moving Molecules in a Solid Ball and ring ($14*) Bunsen burner for heating the ball Room-temperature water (to cool the ball) 1.5 Air: It’s Really There Materials for Each Group 2 clear plastic cups 8-oz plastic bottle Detergent solution in a cup Hot water (about 50 °C) Cold water Materials for Demonstration Basketball, very deflated Balance that measures in grams Pump Can of compressed gas (available at any office supply store) 2.1 Heat, Temperature, & Conduction Materials for Each Group 2 sets of large metal washers on a string Styrofoam cup filled with hot water Room-temperature water 2 thermometers Graduated cylinder or beaker Materials for the Teacher 1 Styrofoam cup Thermometer Hot plate or coffee maker Large beaker or coffee pot 2.2 Changes of State — Evaporation Materials for Each Group 2 quart-size zip-closing plastic storage bags Hot water Room-temperature water 2 squares of brown paper towel 2 droppers Materials for each student 2 Styrofoam balls (11/2-inch) 4 Styrofoam balls (1-inch) 2 flat toothpicks School glue Permanent marker 2.3 Changes of State — Condensation Materials for Each Group 1 short wide-rimmed clear plastic cup 1 tall smaller-rimmed clear plastic cup Hot water (about 50 °C) Magnifier Materials for the Demonstration 2 clear plastic cups Room-temperature water Ice cubes Gallon-size zip-closing plastic bag Extension Activity 1 short wide-rimmed clear plastic cup 1 tall smaller-rimmed clear plastic cup Hot water Food coloring Ice cube White napkin or paper towel 2.4 Changing States — Freezing Materials for Each Group Empty clean metal soup can Salt Ice Metal spoon or sturdy stick Teaspoon Paper towel Materials for the Teacher Pliers Duct tape 2.5 Changing States — Melting Materials for Each Group 2 small pieces of ice 2 small clear plastic cups Water Materials for the Demonstration Ice Dry ice (there is a video alternative, if you can't get dry ice) Brown paper towel Cold water Hot water (cont'd...) Edited November 25, 2010 by Corraleno fix formatting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 (edited) 3.1 What Is Density Materials for Each Group Cubes marked A–H that you will share with other groups ($25*, or can substitute) Balance that can measure in grams Calculator Materials for the Demonstration Copper cube and aluminum cube of the same volume Balance 3.2 Finding Volume—The Water Displacement Method Set of 5 different rods that all have the same mass ($10*) Graduated cylinder, 100 mL Water in a cup Calculator 3.3 Density of Water Materials for Each Group Graduated cylinder, 100 ml Water Balance that measures in grams (able to measure over 100 g) Dropper Materials for the Demonstration Water Two identical buckets or large containers 3.4 Density — Sink & Float for Solids 2 tea light candles in their metal containers Clay Water in cup Small balance ($5 if you don’t already have one) Tape Dropper 3.5 Density — Sink & Float for Liquids Materials for Each Group Balance Isopropyl alcohol, 70% or higher Water Graduated cylinder 2 identical tall clear plastic cups 2 tea light candles Materials for the Demonstration Balance Isopropyl alcohol, 70% or higher Water Graduated cylinder 2 identical tall clear plastic cups 2 tea light candles 3.6 Temperature & Density Materials for Each Group Cold water (colored blue) in foam cup Hot water (colored yellow) in foam cup Room temperature water in clear plastic cup (colorless) 2 droppers Materials for the Demonstration Hot water (colored yellow) Cold water (colored blue) 2 identical clear baby food jars Water-resistant card (from a deck of cards or laminated index card) Paper towels 4.1 Protons, Neutrons, & Electrons Materials for Each Group Plastic grocery bag Scissors Inflated balloon Small pieces of paper, confetti-size Materials for Demonstration Sink Balloon 4.2 & 4.3 The Periodic Table & Energy Level Models Atom cards (print out PDF provided with program) 4.4 Energy Levels, Electrons, and Covalent Bonding 9-volt battery 2 wires with alligator clips on both ends 2 pencils sharpened at both ends Water Salt Clear plastic cup Tape 4.5 Energy Levels, Electrons, and Ionic Bonding Materials for Each Group Black paper Salt Cup with salt from evaporated saltwater Magnifier Permanent marker Additional Materials for Each Student 2 small Styrofoam balls 2 large Styrofoam balls 2 toothpicks 4.6 Representing Bonding with Lewis Dot Diagrams (activity sheet) 5.1 Water is a Polar Molecule Styrofoam water molecule models from Chapter 2, Lesson 2 (two per student) Permanent markers (blue and red) Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) Water Brown paper towel Droppers 5.2 Surface Tension Materials for the Demonstration 1 clear plastic cup Water 1 standard size paper clip 1 large paper clip Materials for Each Group Water Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) Dish detergent in cup Test tube 2 pennies 2 droppers 2 toothpicks 2 paper towels 5.3 Why Does Water Dissolve Salt? Construction paper, any color Scissors Tape or glue Water Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) Salt Balance 2 clear plastic cups 2 small plastic cups Graduated cylinder 5.4 Why Does Water Dissolve Sugar? M&M’s Water Mineral oil Isopropyl alcohol (70%) Small white plastic plate 3 clear plastic cups White paper 5.5 Using Dissolving to Identify an Unknown Materials for the Demonstration Gram balance Simple balance Graduated cylinder Water 4 clear plastic cups 2 small plastic cups Salt Sugar Cereal balls (Kix work well) Zip-closing plastic bag (quart-size, storage-grade) Materials for Each Group Salt (sodium chloride) Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) MSG (monosodium glutamate) Sugar (sucrose) Coarse kosher salt (sodium chloride) Water Black construction paper Masking tape Pen or permanent marker Magnifier Gram balance 5 small plastic cups 5 clear plastic cups Graduated cylinder Paper towel 5.6 Does Temperature Affect Dissolving? Materials for Each Group M&M's (3 same color) 3 clear plastic cups 1 sheet of white paper Room-temperature water Hot water (about 50 °C) Cold water (about 5 °C) Materials for the Demonstration 4 graduated cylinders (50 mL) Hot water (about 50 °C) Cold water (about 5 °C) Salt Sugar Tablespoon 2 small cups 5.7 Can Liquids Dissolve in Water? Materials for the Demonstrations Clear plastic cup Water Food coloring Straw or popsicle stick Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) 2 identical 100-mL graduated cylinders Materials for Each Group Water Mineral oil Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) Corn syrup 3 clear plastic cups 5 small cups Permanent marker or masking tape and a pen for labeling cups 3 straws or popsicle sticks (for stirring) Laminated index card or card covered with wax paper Blue water Yellow isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) 2 droppers Toothpick or popsicle stick 5.8 Can Gases Dissolve in Water? Club soda 3 clear plastic cups 1 M&M Pipe cleaner Hot water Cold water 2 deli containers (that cups easily fit inside 5.9 Temperature Changes Dissolving Materials for the Demonstrations 2 disposable cold packs 2 disposable hot packs Graduated cylinder Water (room temperature) 2 clear plastic cups 2 thermometers Materials for Each Group Potassium chloride (sold in grocery stores as Nu-Salt Salt Substitute) Calcium chloride (sold in hardware stores as Damp-Rid) Sodium carbonate Sodium bicarbonate Water 5 small cups Graduated cylinder Thermometer Gram balance 6.1 What is a Chemical Reaction? Materials for the Demonstration Tea light candle or other small stable candle Matches Glass jar, large enough to be placed over the candle Materials for Each Student Atom cut-outs from the activity sheet Sheet of colored paper or construction paper Colored pencils Scissors Glue or tape 6.2 Controlling the Amount of Products in a Chemical Reaction Materials for the Demonstrations Vinegar Baking soda Water Alka-Seltzer Detergent solution Graduated cylinder (50 mL) Graduated cylinder (100 mL) Measuring spoon (½ teaspoon) 1 clear plastic cup Small cup Dropper Plastic waste container Materials for Each Group Vinegar in a cup Baking soda in a cup Detergent solution in a cup Dropper Graduated cylinder (50 mL) Measuring spoons (⅛, ¼, and ½ teaspoon) Plastic waste container 6.3 Forming a Precipitate Materials for the Demonstrations Sodium carbonate Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) 2 clear plastic cups Test tube Water Copper II sulfate ($8-10*) Household ammonia Hydrogen peroxide (3%) Graduated cylinder 2 droppers Materials for Each Group Baking soda Calcium chloride Water Graduated cylinder Measuring spoon (½ teaspoon) or balance 2 clear plastic cups Masking tape Pen 6.4 Temperature and the Rate of a Chemical Reaction Materials for the Demonstration Hot water in an insulated cup Ice water in an insulated cup 2 glow sticks Materials for Each Group Baking soda Calcium chloride Water Graduated cylinder Balance or measuring spoon ( teaspoon) 2 wide (9 oz) clear plastic cups 4 small clear plastic cups 2 plastic deli-style containers Hot water (40–50 °C) Cold water (0–5 °C) Masking tape Pen 6.5 A Catalyst and the Rate of Reaction Graduated cylinder (50 mL or 100 mL) Hydrogen peroxide (3%) Yeast 2 Popsicle sticks Detergent solution Dropper Small cup Clear plastic cup Copper II sulfate solution (in cup) Salt Aluminum foil (5 cm × 5 cm) Thermometer 6.6 Using Chemical Change to Identify an Unknown Materials for the Demonstration Tincture of iodine Baking soda Cornstarch Water Graduated cylinder or beaker 2 Popsicle sticks Dropper ¼ teaspoon 3 clear plastic cups Materials for Each Group Baking soda in cup Baking powder in cup Cream of tartar in cup Cornstarch in cup Water in cup Vinegar in cup Tincture of iodine solution in cup Universal indicator solution in cup 4 Popsicle sticks Testing chart, either laminated or with a piece of wax paper over it 4 droppers 6.7 Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions Materials for the Each Group Vinegar Baking soda Calcium chloride Water Thermometer 4 small cups Disposable self-heating hand warmer Self-inflating balloon Extension Activity Magnesium sulfate Sodium carbonate Citric acid Universal indicator The materials with an * are available from Flinn Scientific (as well as other sources); the lesson plans include links to the specific products, with product numbers and everything. Jackie Edited November 25, 2010 by Corraleno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Have I mentioned lately that you rock! :D:D Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 How do you do it? I can't even get my grocery list together that quickly. Oh, and I agree with Paula, you definitely rock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 LOL, it turned out to be rather more involved and time-consuming than I expected, but once I got started I figured I might as well finish. :tongue_smilie: I did get a good look through the curriculum, though, while I was typing up the materials list, and this really is a very solid program. I'm impressed! There are a lot of extra materials, including background info for parents/teachers and links to videos on other websites, as well as all of the mini-videos and interactive things on the ACS website. And I love that it's entirely inquiry-based: every concept is explained through a lab or other hands-on activity. The materials list looks long, but there are really very few things in there that most people wouldn't have lying around, and they provide links for buying those. I think even if you needed to buy the most basic equipment (like a scale, graduated cylinder, dropper, etc), you probably wouldn't spend more than $100 total, and if you already have the basic stuff, the extras would be maybe $50 or so. And in some cases there are alternatives (like watching a video) if you can't get certain materials, so you could really do most of the program for free. The labs in the elementary level (Inquiry in Action) are more grouped together, in the sense that you'd probably want to do all of the labs for a given chapter in one afternoon, because they use the same materials and explore variations of the same concepts. In this middle school program, though, each lab is fairly independent. There are a few where you might want to combine 2 or 3 lessons in an afternoon, but they can pretty much stand alone, too, if you wanted to stretch the program out over a year (there are 38 lessons/labs in all, so you could do 1/wk). Add in some living books and you'd have a really excellent (and cheap) year-long middle school chemistry program. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 I think I love you :) Having spent a good amount of time so on density etc this fall, I think we can safely skip that chapter. The only things I'd need to purchase for the entire curriculum are more isopropyl alcohol and a few chemicals. This former academic research chemist is very very happy :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Jackie, if I could borrow you for two days or so I think my life could actually become organized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Jackie, if I could borrow you for two days or so I think my life could actually become organized. :iagree:The West Coast is calling you, Jackie. Can't you hear it? "Help! Help! Help!" And this on top of working on the museum. Superwoman is looking a bit lame these days, girl.:D If you tell me that Thanksgiving is coming straight out of Julia's books, I shall have to throw myself in the middle of the street and weep. That is if I could get over the pile of books on the way to the door. Well, that and the fact that it is something like 20 degrees outside. Happy Thanksgiving! I can't wait to look this over on Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 (edited) :iagree:The West Coast is calling you, Jackie. Can't you hear it? "Help! Help! Help!" And this on top of working on the museum. Superwoman is looking a bit lame these days, girl.:D If you tell me that Thanksgiving is coming straight out of Julia's books, I shall have to throw myself in the middle of the street and weep. That is if I could get over the pile of books on the way to the door. Well, that and the fact that it is something like 20 degrees outside. Happy Thanksgiving! I can't wait to look this over on Friday. Well, this should make you snort instead of weep: DH is currently in England with psycho-MIL, so it's just me, the 2 kids, and DH's 80 yo uncle. Not wanting to cook a big dinner just for us (especially since the uncle has no teeth :tongue_smilie:) I figured we'd go out to eat. I just assumed that lots of restaurants would be open, catering to all those families who don't want to cook. I just called 7 different restaurants...they're all closed tomorrow. :glare: So I will be going to the grocery store first thing in the morning to buy a chicken, and we'll have roast chicken, roasted potatoes, carrots, and... something for dessert. Maybe some kind of cake, I'll have to poke around in the pantry and see what I have. Sigh. ETA: While driving to the grocery store this morning I noticed that IHOP was open. I called CB (DH's uncle) to see how he felt about IHOP, and he said "Oh! That's my favorite restaurant!" (which makes sense, since their menu is unusually friendly to the, um, dentally deficient). So not only did we not have a Martha Stewart Thanksgiving, we ate at IHOP. Feel better now, Lisa? :lol: :lol: :lol: Jackie Edited November 25, 2010 by Corraleno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Jackie you are da bomb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NineChoirs Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Wow that list is amazing, thank you!! This is a strong maybe program for next year. Does anyone know if this could be downloaded on to a flash drive then taken to a print shop to make hard copies? I would be worried it would kill my slightly outdated inexpensive printer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 27, 2010 Author Share Posted November 27, 2010 It's over 600 pages! I usually like having the whole thing in front of me, but with this one I may just read the teacher's materials online and just print the student pages as I need them. There are lots of links on the Lesson Plan pages, including links to the animations that go with each lesson, so it's more "computer-based" than Inquiry in Action is (which I guess is why they decided not to sell the middle school program in print form). Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri in MI Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 Jackie, I have to agree w/ the other ladies - you rock! Thanks so much for the list and the info. I was hoping to make this as free as possible (out of necessity), so $100+ for supplies doesn't sound very doable. I'll have to spend some time looking at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 27, 2010 Author Share Posted November 27, 2010 I was hoping to make this as free as possible (out of necessity), so $100+ for supplies doesn't sound very doable. I'll have to spend some time looking at it. It looks to me like you could do at least 26 of the labs without buying anything (assuming you have the normal sorts of things, like plastic cups, sugar, salt, glue, toothpicks, straws, etc) around the house, and you could do several more with only minimal expense. If you just drop 6 or 7 labs, with the most expensive items (copper sulfate, the special cubes & rods, etc), the remaining expenses would be for things like a few hand-warmers or cold packs, a couple of graduated cylinders (plastic ones are really cheap), a balance ($5), and things like that. Did you look at the Inquiry in Action program? It was originally advertised for grades 3-8, but now that they have the new MS program, they changed the recommended level to 3-6, I think. It's not as in-depth as the MS program, but I just checked the materials and the only things you'd have to buy, if you didn't already have them, would be epsom salts, MSG (Accent), and isopropyl alcohol — so just a few dollars. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabelle Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 Thank you for posting all this! I've been seriously thinking about doing Inquiry in Action with ds next semester--I think you may have tipped the scales for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Jackie, do you happen to know of anything that is similar in caliber for Biology or should I start a new thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 (edited) Jackie, do you happen to know of anything that is similar in caliber for Biology or should I start a new thread? I'm not Jackie, obviously, and I haven't found a complete program like the Inquiry in Action for biology; but I've found some really interesting activities and experiments at http://www.mysciencebox.org The biology ones looked quite interesting and relatively easy to set up and do at home. I've been very taken with Darwin For Kids, and also a new biography for older kids, Charles and Emma, which puts his discoveries and work in the context of his relationship with his very religious wife. And check this out: They Came From DNA by Billy Aronson, which is billed as "genetics through science fiction for kids 9 through 14." Edited November 28, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 I'm not Jackie, obviously, and I haven't found a complete program like the Inquiry in Action for biology; but I've found some really interesting activities and experiments at www.mysciencebox.org The biology ones looked quite interesting and relatively easy to set up and do at home. I've been very taken with Darwin For Kids, and also a new biography for older kids, Charles and Emma, which puts his discoveries and work in the context of his relationship with his very religious wife. And check this out: They Came From DNA by Billy Aronson, which is billed as "genetics through science fiction for kids 9 through 14." These look great, Karen. We have been side-tracked in science ever since Swimmer Dude decided he wanted to read The Origin of Species. we initially started him with a great graphic novel, but now he wants the real thing. I am trying to separate out his genuine interest and his rebellious nature.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I'm not Jackie, obviously, and I haven't found a complete program like the Inquiry in Action for biology; but I've found some really interesting activities and experiments at www.mysciencebox.org The biology ones looked quite interesting and relatively easy to set up and do at home. I Thank you! That just filled in a few gaps I had in my biology choices for down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I keep looking at this program and wondering, isn't there an American Physics Society who could put out a book like this for me for next year...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I keep looking at this program and wondering, isn't there an American Physics Society who could put out a book like this for me for next year...? I wonder. That would certainly solve the middle school science dilemma for so many. Of course with the wonderful researchers on this board I give it a couple of more hours and someone will have found something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thank you! That just filled in a few gaps I had in my biology choices for down the road. Paula, care to share what is on your list for biology? Please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thank you so much for your hard work!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I'm not familiar with this. What is ACS chemistry? I'm very interested in any biology related too.:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 What is ACS chemistry? Inquiry in Action, http://www.inquiryinaction.org/ Middle School Chemistry, http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted November 29, 2010 Author Share Posted November 29, 2010 Jackie, do you happen to know of anything that is similar in caliber for Biology or should I start a new thread? I wish. :( DS really doesn't want to use a textbook for bio, but I just have way too much on my plate right now to put together an elaborate and totally custom bio program for him. Since I'm doing this museum thing this year, I'm just going to let him focus on evolution (including a bit of genetics and anatomy in the context of evolution) and paleo this year. We'll also be covering the parts of geology that relate to evolution (origins & structure of the earth, tectonics and shifts in the plates over time). We have been side-tracked in science ever since Swimmer Dude decided he wanted to read The Origin of Species. we initially started him with a great graphic novel, but now he wants the real thing. I am trying to separate out his genuine interest and his rebellious nature.:tongue_smilie: Well, if you decide to just go with it and let him focus on the evo/eco part of bio for now, I can tell you what resources I'll be using with DS. For a spine, I'm planning to use Life: Evolution Explained. It's about 200 pages, very well illustrated, and covers everything from Darwin & the history of evolutionary theory to genetics/natural selection and the development and evolution of organisms. It's conveniently divided into 47 short sections with a few pages on each topic, so it's great for outlining or summarizing. (It's also super cheap — new for under $4, used for $1.) We'll also use the Teaching Company's Major Transitions in Evolution, and several DVDs: Evolution, What Darwin Never Knew, and a fabulous but little-known documentary series called The Shape of Life. Additional reading will include Your Inner Fish, and selected Stephen Jay Gould books/articles. Additional material on Darwin will include the Teaching Co's Darwinian Revolution (audio course), Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life (DVD) and On the Origin of Species: Illustrated Edition (great Christmas present for Swimmer Dude, if he doesn't already have it). For "labs" I may have him do the two Froguts genetics labs (fruit flies and Mendel's peas), maybe the online dragon-breeding game, and CPO's jelly bean natural selection lab (13b) (there are other evolution-related labs in the CPO link as well). Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Inquiry in Action, http://www.inquiryinaction.org/Middle School Chemistry, http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/ Oh wow! Thanks a bunch for both of those. I was almost there with the chemistry, but couldn't find it from the ACS main site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thanks Correlano for the evolution info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Jackie, do you happen to know of anything that is similar in caliber for Biology or should I start a new thread? I have posted this link on the high school board several times. Her approach is textbook free science. She has some good titles listed. http://charlottemason.tripod.com/hisci.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Paula, care to share what is on your list for biology? Please! I'm planning integrated science for the first three years of high school. We'll cover biology for about 10 weeks each year. Biology is probably my son's least favorite science, he's more of a "let's mix up these chemicals and see what happens, then let's drop it off the roof" type of guy. My current plan (code for subject to change at any point): Edexcel Biology as a spine Khan Academy videos throughout Keeping a Nature Journal (something I'd like to do all year, starting next summer) Year 1: Organisms & Ecology (Edexcel spine) Use the Ecology labs from mysciencebox My name is Gene (short intro to genetics) My family and other animals as a read-aloud Read Walden Nature of Life, Readings in biology (use for all years) Biology slides from HST Read some nutrition from Primal Blueprint Year 2: Plants & Animals (Edexcel spine) McHenry's Carbon Chemistry (maybe) continue with Nature of Life readings King Solomon's Ring Frogouts or some other virtual dissection Possibly Aristotle's History of Animals Year 3: Sections D& E (Edexcel Spine) covers genetics Finish biology readings Origin of Species The Way Life Works Genetics experiments from my sciencebox HHMI lectures (free DVDs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I wonder. That would certainly solve the middle school science dilemma for so many. Of course with the wonderful researchers on this board I give it a couple of more hours and someone will have found something. Don't forget about GEMS at http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/GEMS They have a newly published space science sequence done in conjunction with NASA, as well as some wonderful physics labs on dry ice, bubbles, slime science. The middle school units generally have kids beginning to think up questions to pursue and to design simple one-variable experiments near the end of the activities. Some kids understand this type of thinking much earlier, but others -- five out of the seven I was working with one year in sixth grade -- were not yet capable of doing it. So it's good practice within the context of exploratory activities gradually becoming more guided and focused. Also, the San Francisco Exploratorium is a wonderful source for physics. They have many activities on-line, and a series of books called Snackbooks that reproduce mini-versions of many of their famous hands-on exhibits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thank you, Paula. I had forgotten the excellent thread on integrating the science disciplines. I am embarrassed to admit it but right now we are following the "Whichever Way the Wind Blows" curriculum. I have taken to keeping resources on index cards in a file box (thank you, Nan in Mass), hopefully making a note as to which skill or content area it meets that goes with a master list. It makes me nervous as all heck but Swimmer Dude seems to be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Don't forget about GEMS at www.lawrencehallofscience.org/GEMS They have a newly published space science sequence done in conjunction with NASA, as well as some wonderful physics labs on dry ice, bubbles, slime science. The middle school units generally have kids beginning to think up questions to pursue and to design simple one-variable experiments near the end of the activities. Some kids understand this type of thinking much earlier, but others -- five out of the seven I was working with one year in sixth grade -- were not yet capable of doing it. So it's good practice within the context of exploratory activities gradually becoming more guided and focused. Also, the San Francisco Exploratorium is a wonderful source for physics. They have many activities on-line, and a series of books called Snackbooks that reproduce mini-versions of many of their famous hands-on exhibits. Thanks! I'm wavering with our science for the remainder of this year, we need more hands on activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thank you, Paula. I had forgotten the excellent thread on integrating the science disciplines. I am embarrassed to admit it but right now we are following the "Whichever Way the Wind Blows" curriculum. I have taken to keeping resources on index cards in a file box (thank you, Nan in Mass), hopefully making a note as to which skill or content area it meets that goes with a master list. It makes me nervous as all heck but Swimmer Dude seems to be happy. We're reading Riordan's The Lost Hero and the portion we read today was in Aeolus's palace, where he explained he was the purpose for the phrase "Whichever way the winds blow". It felt like my life as of late, so the phrase made me laugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I forgot to add a wonderful middle-school physics unit on light: Vicki Cobb's paperback Light Action is deceptively simple looking, but it is excellent -- simple but very powerful conceptual experiments. Don't forget the video clips at http://www.physics.umn.edu/outreach/pforce/circus -- in particular, do not miss the toilet paper one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gratia271 Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 Jackie, Thanks so much for sharing this work. It makes things much more doable for me right now. Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 I'm using some of her books this year. Everything she writes is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 I have not heard of Flinn Scientific before. Is it a good source for science materials? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Thanks for the links to mysciencebox and the chemistry info. I wish there was something similar for physics. My favorite link I've found so far is the supplemental physics labs by Paul Hewitt on the Arbor Scientific site. http://www.arborsci.com/Labs/CP_Labs_Selection_2.aspx?utm_source=CP%2Bsuppliment&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=CP%2Bsuppliment I've been working through most of these labs this year as well as a random assortment of other physics labs. ... and Regena, I might teach these (algebra based) physics labs in two years at BRICC. Next year I'm going to stick with a chemisty based class for middle school/high school - wacky science based on 101 intriguing labs, projects and activities for the chemisty classroom by Brian Rohrig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) I am gathering materials for ACS Middle School Chemistry and thought i'd save others some leg work. Flinn Scientific will NOT ship to homeschoolers. Sargent-Welch will ship to HSers. I can't recall exactly but I think shipping is 10%. Here are the catalogue numbers for items listed which Jackie so kindly posted. Some of these, ACS says you can get at stores and gives the common name. As I'm setting up a chem lab at home, I'm going to buy the research grade chemicals. I leave that decision up to you. Ball and Ring WL1661-10 $17.05 Density Cubes WL1138G $23.00 Same Mass Rods WL54677-00 $11.55 KCl (Potassium Chloride) WLC94219-04 $4.656 CaCl2 (Calcium Chloride) WLC94075-06 $6.45 NaCO3 (sodium carbonate) WLC94291-06 $5.85 Cu(SO4)2 (copper II sulfate) WLC94770-04 $6.65 Some of these chemicals were listed as 500g bottles. Since that is written for a classroom, I chose to order 100g bottles. The numbers above are for 100g bottles. I don't have Tincture of Iodine since I own it. Can you buy that in stores? ACS also mentions a balance to measure in grams. I didn't put that on the list b/c I already own one. You also need a heat source to heat the ball and ring. I have a gas stove and will use that for now before deciding on a bunsen burner. If you have an electric stove, you'll need to buy a bunsen burner. We'll be finishing our basement and I will be set up a chem lab down there and am considering having a plumber run a gas line for our bunsen burner. I hope this helps someone. Capt Uhura Edited January 30, 2011 by Capt_Uhura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Thanks so much for this list, and to the OP, also--I just downloaded the book this afternoon to take a look at it for dd next year or the year after. Very, very helpful. Oh, and a question to Capt. Uhura-- Can we use an alcohol lamp instead of a bunsen burner? I think we had one for Apologia Chem, but I can't remember exactly. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Yes I would assume you can use an alcohol lamp. All you need is a flame. I'm not sure if alcohol lamps burn as hot as the gas lamps, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't work. If I remember correctly, alcohol lamps take longer to boil water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borninthesouth Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 This has been a LONG time, but what could I use instead of parafilm? I looked on amazon and it is really expensive. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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