dereksurfs Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Hi All, I thought it would be helpful for those planning on doing some chemistry work next Fall to list some resources. I'll start with a short list of things I've recently picked up or those which I'm considering. I'd really like to hear what you've used including pros/cons or are planning to use. This can included more hands on or text based study as well as secular and nonsecular. Obviously middle school can cover a wide range of levels. The more advanced students may be able to take a basic high school or even college overview course. Texts * CK-12 Overview of Chemistry * Synergized Middle School Chemistry (2 books) http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/1456329707 * Queen's Homeschool Chemistry - Although it says high school it is considered light * Elemental Science Chemistry - middle school text supposed to be released soon * Noeo III Chemistry set - multiple texts and kit * Mr Q - Chemistry * RS4K Focus On Middle School Chemistry Enrichment * Exploring the World of Chemistry by Tiner * The Periodic Table: Elements with Style! - Basher * Chemistry: Getting a Big Reaction - Basher * Rader's Chem 4 Kids website, geared for grades 5-8, with short articles on Chemistry topics * RS4K Level II Chemistry has great orbitial pictures Documentaries/ Videos * BBC Chemistry A Volatile History - These are somewhat hard to find but good * Chemistry 101 - An Overview of God's Chemical World * Periodic Videos Hands on * McHenry's The Elements * McHenry's Carbon Chemistry * Hands on Chemistry unit for middle school by Purdue * Making Silly Putty - see Ruth's description below * Several of the TOPS units are great for gr. 7-10 labs at home Courses * Chemistry 101: General Chemistry - Entry level college course, may be a bit advanced * ACS Middle School Chemistry Other reference materials * The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe * Chem game tutor * The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry * Chemistry Resource Book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMum Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Thanks! The Elements: A Visual Exploration ... comes in a wonderful iPad app. It's $$ but amazing. We have loved McHenry's material. She is wonderful. You might also like Periodic Videos. I have one son who watches them over and over. The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry is also fun. The Basher book on the periodic table is a wonderful introduction to the periodic table, and their book on chemistry is also great. We also loved The Mystery of the Periodic Table. It is a funny look at the history of chemistry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhome Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Thanks for the resources. DD12 will do Chemistry in 7th grade next year. We'll be using Noeo III, Mr. Q and McHenry as the base with a lot of other things added in. Swimmermom3 has started a Social Group for HS Chemistry. I've been tagging along and there is a wealth of resources in those posts too. Just go to the "Social Groups" tab above and you can join in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 RS4K Level II Chemistry has some of the best orbital pictures I have ever seen, and is a meaty, though incomplete curriculum for late middle school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMum Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Just go to the "Social Groups" tab above and you can join in. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Very nice! Thank you! :) I just have one suggestion and two additions for you: Supplement addition: Rader's Chem 4 Kids website, geared for grades 5-8, with short articles on Chemistry topics Hands-On addition: Several of the TOPS units are great for gr. 7-10 labs at home: - Analysis (#10) - Solutions (#12) - Adhesion & Cohesion (#13) - Oxidation (#11) covers topics typically seen in high school, but an advanced middle schooler could do it. My one suggestion: While we used and enjoyed Tiner book (Exploring World of Chemistry), I would NOT list it as a text, but as a supplement. Each chapter covers a key chemistry discovery or scientist from a historical point of view, and also includes Christian connections. In contrast, I see a chemistry text or "spine" as a non-fiction, scientific-based explanatory of chemistry principles and topics, covering a wide range of chemistry applications, and including experimentation and labs. Tiner's book does not do this. Just my 2 cents worth! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 For a hands on learner, I would recommend buying a inorganic/organic student atom/molecule set to make models of NaCl, CH4, diamond and the rest. Of course mini-marshmallows and toothpicks would work too. ETA Enrichment Hands on Chemistry unit for middle school by Purdue U http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/gk12/downloads/Hands-on-Chemistry.pdf Chemistry Resource Book - Information for elementary and middle school teachers http://academic.pgcc.edu/~bgage/Chemistry%20Resource%20Book2009.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Not exactly a resource, but I thought I would share the best investigation I have ever found in Chemistry -- making silly putty. All you need is three ingredients: 2 types of Glue (blue and white), corn starch, and borax. And then, just like a real chemist, your student can alter the ratios of the 3 ingredients and evaluate the resulting products. Some is stretchier, some is bouncier. Because there are 3 variables, this makes for lovely complexity which translates to quite a good challenge for a middle schooler to graph. Plus, testing the different silly putties is incredibly fun -- imagine having your student try to determine which putty bounces higher! What I like about this investigation is that the outcome is NOT known. Just lots of trial and error, and record keeping! Ruth in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted June 12, 2013 Author Share Posted June 12, 2013 Not exactly a resource, but I thought I would share the best investigation I have ever found in Chemistry -- making silly putty. All you need is three ingredients: 2 types of Glue (blue and white), corn starch, and borax. And then, just like a real chemist, your student can alter the ratios of the 3 ingredients and evaluate the resulting products. Some is stretchier, some is bouncier. Because there are 3 variables, this makes for lovely complexity which translates to quite a good challenge for a middle schooler to graph. Plus, testing the different silly putties is incredibly fun -- imagine having your student try to determine which putty bounces higher! What I like about this investigation is that the outcome is NOT known. Just lots of trial and error, and record keeping! Ruth in NZ Ruth, that sounds really fun! Thanks for sharing it. I'll definately have to look into to doing that one. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share Posted June 13, 2013 I've updated the original list with the added suggestions. I also added a new category 'enrichment' since a number of books are not chemistry 'textbooks' per se. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhome Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Not sure if someone mentioned it, but Lori D. just sent me some resources from Neo K12 for another science thread I have .....http://www.neok12.com.......they have many links to specific Chem topics. There's also Ted Talks on various Chem topics, although maybe for older students. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 This is great! Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Apologia is coming out with Chemistry and Physics in their elementary series. It should be out sometime between July and September. Their elementary books are for K-6, but I read that that was geared toward older kids. We are going to use it in our co-op this year. I've never used their books before, so I'm looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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