HollyDay Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 The only reason I would be going to a conference this summer would be to look at high school science. In particular, I need to buy a chemistry for 10th grade next year. Everything else I have a decent handle on what to use. A conference would be fun and I would enjoy it, so I thought I'd go. But, fuel prices are getting too high. Grocery prices are getting too high. I just can't justify driving 4 - 6 hours for a conference because of 1 subject. And I fear some of the "secular" (ie textbooks other than BJU or Apologia) chemistry choices won't be represented. So, someone just tell me what to buy......:).......for a solid college prep chemistry choice that will either include a lab or have a kit I can purchase to make it a lab credit. Thank you!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Apologia works well. :) But it sounds like you're looking for secular? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 I'm looking for something less wordy than Apologia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Understood. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 :bigear: I am stuck on the exact same thing. I've read many, many older WTM posts on the topic and googled until my brain felt boggled. I just canNOT get a grasp on where to go with this subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Oak Meadow Chemistry. Really like it and it comes with everything and works for different learning styles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda1951 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I have it for sale. new just need the lab part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 can you order from Oak Meadow if not enrolled with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 can you order from Oak Meadow if not enrolled with them? Yes, I believe you can but, ouch, it is expensive. It probably would make more economical sense to buy the two texts from Amazon and buy the other pieces from Oak Meadow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 We are suffering through Apologia. I have tried a few other sciences, and Apologia wins hands down for easiness teaching at home without the teacher. The wordiness is because it is the text and lecture all wrapped together. It is really getting better and stretching dd. Chemistry is hard no matter what you use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I ended up ordering multiple chemistry texts used from amazon to compare. Prentice Hall Chemistry (what Oak Meadow uses) This book looks REALLY light. I have the OM syllabus and there are some really silly writing assignments in there. I would only use this for 9th graders who are weak in math and science. World of Chemistry (Zumdahl) This one looks okay. It's definitely a step up from PH Chemistry above. I don't like the layout though. My copy had a few glaring errors (like saying that pressure*volume equals a constant and then writing the formula PK=k). Introductory Chemisty (Tro) I really like the looks of this one. The layout is fabulous and it explains everything very well. It's typically used for honors classes in high school or for college level chemistry for nonscience majors. This is the one that I have: http://www.amazon.com/Introductory-Chemistry-2nd-Nivaldo-Tro/dp/0131470582/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298854840&sr=1-1 ETA: I forgot to say that I am planning on using Labpaq for the labs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Yes, I believe you can but, ouch, it is expensive. It probably would make more economical sense to buy the two texts from Amazon and buy the other pieces from Oak Meadow. Yes, well, I bought the whole set and the TM separately and we are happy with it. I don't think the text is dumbed down at all. It is an accessible text and the assignments are easy to do while having the student learn (reluctant boy who does love chemistry). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Spectrum. Oldest dd teaches chem labs at a university and she's spent a lot of time going through Spectrum and said if her students came in knowing what's in that course, they'd be well prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted February 28, 2011 Author Share Posted February 28, 2011 I do keep looking at Spectrum. Can it be bought "in pieces" so I could get a look at the text prior to purchasing the lab equipment? Anyone have any experience with their customer service? At this point, I'm thinking about purchasing a few books then return the ones I don't like. Then, I'll buy the lab supplies. I would still like to narrow my choices down to 2 or 3 so I don't have a bunch to return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 We are using Conceptual Chemistry this year and really like it. It has a great website (free to use if you purchase the book), with lots of online mini-lectures/videos. We're also using Explorations in Conceptual Chemistry by Jeffrey Paradis, Prentice Hall, as a lab supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 After much research, I bought, The Spectrum. Really didn't want to got with BJU online for a 4th year, the teaching is so hit or miss. So, here we go. I am hoping that Khan Academy will be enough if we need help and I am going to get the Teaching Company High School Chemistry as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I do keep looking at Spectrum. Can it be bought "in pieces" so I could get a look at the text prior to purchasing the lab equipment? Anyone have any experience with their customer service? Yes, you can. It's $85. http://beginningspublishing.com/oscommerce/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 http://www.friendlychemistry.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Not that I've used it, but KarenAnne some time ago posted about the text Living with Chemistry that she's using. Her dh is a chemist, and he seems happy enough with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Well, what I've decided to do is order some of these choices and then return what I don't want. I've narrowed it down to three contenders. 2 I can get for a low price, but the Spectrum student book is $85. That's not a bad price, but I don't want to pay that much if I'm not 100% sure I want it. I'm hoping either one of the other 2 are wonderful and we fall in love with it, or they are both awful and decide to go with Spectrum based on their sample pages. At least I'm off square one! Thanks everyone!!! I'll keep you posted..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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