dancingmama Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 My middle school daughter has stated a preference for studying chemistry next year. She would like something very hands on as she wants to "play with chemicals" and "blow stuff up". I am not very science. Anyone have secular science curriculum that they would recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 My DS10 likes to blow stuff up too which is a good thing when we try to unclog the sink and the bathtub with household chemicals. We are going to buy a lab kit though because my boys have done the typical chemistry experiments that can be done with household items/chemicals. Links to experiments that use mostly commonly found or easy to buy items. http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/science-projects/c/chemistry-science-projects http://www.iflscience.com/chemistry/unfinished-20-fun-science-experiments-you-can-do-home https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/ We didn't really like any of the middle school science textbooks but if you want a reference text, CPO science can be found online. Link is to California edition http://www.nhusd.k12.ca.us/userfiles/file/CPOScience/PS%20student%20ebook.pdf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 (edited) Not a curriculum, but a couple of things to check out are: 1. Doesn't WTM offer a chemistry class? Labs maybe? 2. American Chemical Society has a free curriculum on their website. Setup for a classroom and not a full year, but free. 3. MEL Chemistry is a subscription service - 3 new chemistry experiments arrive at your door every month. Startup cost is a bit high, but the equipment and instructions look really durable. We are going to try it, but haven't had time yet. 4. Oh, I forgot, another boardie at one point recommended the text and workbook "Complete Chemistry for Cambridge Secondary" workbook and student book, $11 and $31 respectively on Amazon. I haven't held them myself. That might work as a curriculum. Good luck! Edited April 4, 2016 by SusanC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into them. She did Thames and Kosmos chem1000 this year and loved it. Really sparked her interest. Now to build on that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) . Edited May 23, 2023 by SilverMoon 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 There are lots of ways to learn chemistry theory from books, but here are some suggestions for lab ideas that can be done with any curriculum. 150 Captivating Chemistry Experiments Using Household Items http://www.amazon.com/Captivating-Chemistry-Experiments-Household-Substances/dp/0971848025 Also 150 More Captivating Chemistry Experiments. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted April 6, 2016 Author Share Posted April 6, 2016 We used a modified Guesthollow chemistry schedule this year and really enjoyed it. The kids (10yo and 12yo) could run it themselves for the most part. We skipped many of the activities in favor of using the Basic Chemistry Lab Equipment Kit with the Introduction to Chemistry Kit from Home Science Tools over the summer. Can you tell me more about how you used these things together? My daughter is really interested in a chem set and I was considering the Thames and Kosmos c3000. This looks like it might be a better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 Caveman Chemistry might work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 Can you tell me more about how you used these things together? My daughter is really interested in a chem set and I was considering the Thames and Kosmos c3000. This looks like it might be a better option. They're designed to compliment each other. One has the lab equipment and the other has more of the chemicals and stuff for the actual experiments. I strongly considered the T&K set too, but this one was getting better reviews among homeschoolers and can even be used for high school labs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 They're designed to compliment each other. One has the lab equipment and the other has more of the chemicals and stuff for the actual experiments. I strongly considered the T&K set too, but this one was getting better reviews among homeschoolers and can even be used for high school labs. Even better. On my list they go! Thx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 The University of Nottingham has a wonderful video series called The Periodic Table of videos. Each short video (between three and four minutes long) introduces a different element and since they are shot in the science lab there is a lot of blowing up, the kind you shouldn't try at home. http://www.periodicvideos.com/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 The University of Nottingham has a wonderful video series called The Periodic Table of videos. Each short video (between three and four minutes long) introduces a different element and since they are shot in the science lab there is a lot of blowing up, the kind you shouldn't try at home. http://www.periodicvideos.com/ Sounds right up her alley. Thx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/ http://store.ellenjmchenry.com/?product=the-elements-digital-download http://store.ellenjmchenry.com/?product=carbon-chemistry https://www.store.acs.org/eweb/ACSTemplatePage.aspx?site=ACS_Store&WebCode=storeItemDetail&parentKey=015d6fcf-692b-4528-8e73-2c69903bc842&catKey=e00976b8-acd7-46cd-9a35-ee52a15a528c http://www.logospressonline.com/adventures-with-atoms-and-molecules-book-1/ http://www.hometrainingtools.com/chemistry-equipment-kit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 Thanks! It doesn't feel so daunting anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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